Policy Order O-27

WHEREAS: This day the Cambridge City Council honors a treasured and brilliant jewel in the crown of Cambridge, William Ethaniel Thomas, the founding music director of the Cambridge Community Chorus, who is retiring after 18 years at the helm; and

WHEREAS: William Thomas's tenure has been marked by his exceptional and uncompromising musicianship, his remarkable ability to inspire the musicians whom he directs, most especially the top rate soloists he attracts and nurtures, and the inventive programming, of which his March 25, 2008 farewell concert is a shining example that pairs Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast" with Joseph Hayden's great, late "Harmony Mass"; and

WHEREAS: William Thomas has been a long-time champion of Africa and African-American classical music and musicians; he has played a key role in the revival of interest and acclaim for the African-British composer samuel Coleridge-Faylor (1875-1912) whose successful career was cut short by his early death from pneumonia;

WHEREAS: The Cambridge Community Chorus presented Coleridge-Taylor's "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast" as part of an all Coleridge-Taylor 100th anniversary concert in October, 1998, which won critical acclaim and accolades for Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, William Thomas and the Cambridge Community Chorus; and

WHEREAS: William Thomas's extensive research on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's music lead to the American premieres of the composer's opera "Dreamlovers," "A Piano Quarter" and "Nonet," as well as many other performances of Coleridge-Taylor's works by Mr. Thomas at such venues as the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the African Meeting House and WGBH.  Mr. Thomas, a cellist, is a founding member of the Coleridge Ensemble, which is dedicated to the performance and recording of compositions by black, African-American and women composers; and

WHEREAS: William Thomas is a member of the faculty of the Music Department at Phillips Academy, Andover.  He was Department Chair from 1975 to 1990 and the Director of Performance; he served as Director of the Phillips Academy Cantata Choir and the Academy Symphony and Chamber Orchestra; and

WHEREAS: In 2005 William Thomas also became the Artistic Director for Project STEP, which provides string instrument training to African-American and Latino children in the Greater Boston community; and

WHEREAS: William E. Thomas's artistry and work have been of immense benefit to the citizens of Cambridge; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City council go on record dedicating the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Douglass Street as

ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to prepare a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution for presentation at the Dedication Ceremony on May 25, 2008 on behalf of the entire City Council.