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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to recognize the members of the
4Dorolyn Academy of Music for their work in the Oak Park
5community; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy of Music was created by Dr.
7Dorothy L. Story-Bounds, who had a vision to insure the
8development of music as a basic means of expression for all
9people, especially children and youth, by providing a base of
10excellence through professional training at low cost and to
11provide a positive environment geared toward promoting
12self-expression, positive self-esteem, and self-discipline; on
13September 24, 1982, she opened the Dorolyn Academy's original
14facility, a 1,500 square-foot facility with 5 instruction
15studios, and began teaching her first 13 students under the
16watchful eye of 5 instructors; to ensure that the Academy would
17be an all-inclusive organization for the underserved of the
18community, she set the tuition to be only $5.00 per week; and
 
19    WHEREAS, As the Academy was not receiving federal or
20corporate funding, Dorolyn Academy has had to resort to
21creative fundraising methods, such as the "Pennies-from-Heaven
22Fund", which was spearheaded by Dr. Bounds, with the support of
23faculty, students, parents, and friends who contributed their

 

 

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1savings of pennies to offset the Academy's overhead; and
 
2    WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy is most proud of the
3importance it places on giving back to the community; since
41990, the Academy has awarded numerous scholarships to
5outstanding students in instrumental and vocal performance,
6enabling them to pursue their music aspirations beyond Dorolyn;
7some of Dorolyn's outstanding students have performed in
8numerous musicals, including The Lion King, Showboat, Joseph
9and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Color Purple, as
10well as the television show 7th Heaven and the movie The Little
11Rascals; and
 
12    WHEREAS, For many years, the Dorolyn Academy has given back
13to the community through the Broadway for Christ Youth Choir
14and Broadway for Christ Productions, which provided training in
15vocal and instrumental performance, technique, and decorum, as
16well as an avenue for positive self-expression, all at no cost;
17and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dorolyn Academy is the recipient of the State of
19Illinois Treasurer's Award in recognition of Outstanding
20Dedication and Commitment to the African-American Communities
21of Illinois, the Village of Oak Park's Nicholas Award for
22Community Commitment, and The Oak Park Area Arts Council's
23"Best of the Class" Award for Community Outreach; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy continues to share its gifts
2with thousands from the communities of Oak Park, River Forest,
3Forest Park, Austin, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and the
4entire Chicago metropolitan area; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dorolyn Academy of Music has always recognized the
6importance of having a multi-cultural Board of Directors,
7faculty, and staff, in order to properly serve the
8multi-cultural communities it represents; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The members of the Dorolyn Academy of Music serve
10as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the
11people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we recognize the members of the Dorolyn Academy of Music for
15their work in the Oak Park community and their commitment to
16giving back to their community; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18presented to the Dorolyn Academy of Music as a symbol of our
19esteem and respect.