Proclaim March 11, 2024 to be the 10th Anniversary of Steven Byess as Music Director of Portland Columbia Symphony
Whereas, Steven Byess is celebrating his 10th season as Music Director of the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra; and
Whereas, over these ten seasons, he has elevated the performances of this Orchestra, enhancing the quality and making it into the great Orchestra it is today; and
Whereas, Steven has tirelessly worked with the Orchestra to bring classical music of the highest caliber to audiences in Portland, Beaverton and Gresham; and
Whereas, Steven, through his remarks from the stage, has sought to welcome audiences, offer them an entrée into the pieces performed, and enrich their understanding and enjoyment of classical music; and
Whereas, Steven has, through his community outreach to youth and other organizations in the greater Portland area, introduced classical music to a broader audience demographic and made it more accessible to all through targeted programming and ticket donations; and
Whereas, Steven has made it his personal mission to enrich the community through performances of classical music both composed by and featuring underrepresented female, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA2S+ musicians; and
Whereas, Steven Byess has been an inspirational leader to the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra musicians, administrators and Board, as well as to the organization as a whole.
Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim March 11, 2024, to be the
10th Anniversary of Steven Byess as Music Director of Portland Columbia Symphony
In Portland and encourage all residents to observe this day.