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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate Kidder Music Service,
4Inc. on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Over the past five decades, the Kidder name has
6become synonymous with music for all ages in Peoria and
7Central Illinois; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Kidder Music Service, Inc. was founded by Jim and
9Floride "Ede" Kidder, a couple who brought their strong
10individual backgrounds and talents to the business, with Jim
11having a degree in music education from Illinois Wesleyan
12University and experience as a band director and in retail
13music sales, and Ede possessing bachelor's and master's
14degrees in Spanish and English from the University of Illinois
15and musical abilities on piano, organ, and saxophone; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Kidder Music Service, Inc. was originally part of
17an existing music company located in the Byerly Building at
18222 Southwest Adams Street when the Kidders purchased it in
191974, and it came with inventory purchased from the previous
20owner, a repair shop, two road salesmen, and a secretary;
21despite numerous logistical challenges with the location, the
22company remained in the Byerly Building for six years; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Kidder Music Service Inc. moved after Jim and Ede
2Kidder purchased property on Crestline Drive adjacent to the
3Pioneer Park Industrial development in 1980; the company's new
4location provided easier customer service and access to
5convenient parking, helping it steadily grow while providing
6band, orchestra, and choral sheet music as well as
7instruments, accessories, repairs, and music clinics to
8clients; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Kidder Music Service, Inc. moved again into the
10former Continental Forms facility at 7728 North Crestline
11Drive in 1995, which included a large warehouse and needed
12extensive renovations; the business expanded after the Bard
13Optical building next door became available, and the
14subsequent redesign included constructing a waiting room,
15small studios for private lessons, and a large room for
16hosting group lessons or music camps; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Kidder Music Service, Inc. is now led by Jim and
18Ede Kidder's daughter, Beth Houlihan, who became president in
192014, having spent many hours after school helping her parents
20at the music store and after earning a degree in music business
21from Bradley University; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Kidder Music Service, Inc.'s Jim Kidder has

 

 

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1credited the company's 50 years of success to wonderful,
2dedicated employees and the creative people in the arts
3community who frequent the business; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we congratulate Kidder Music Service, Inc. on its 50 years of
7business, and we wish the business continued success; and be
8it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to Jim and Floride "Ede" Kidder and their children,
11Beth Houlihan and Matt Kidder, as an expression of our esteem
12and respect.