--- title: SR 781. Georgia Symphony Orchestra; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr781 cite_as: SR 781, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr781 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr781.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr781/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73255 date: 2026-02-18 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr780.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr782.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr781.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 781 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-18 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Kay Kirkpatrick - John Albers - Michael Rhett - Jaha Howard - Donzella James - Ed Setzler text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR781/2025 upstream_id: 2118721 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia Symphony Orchestra - arts and culture - music education - legislative recognition --- # SR 781. Georgia Symphony Orchestra; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 781 By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th, Rhett of the 33rd, Howard of the 35th, James of the 28th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the Georgia Symphony Orchestra for 75 years of exceptional artistry, 20 years of dedication to youth education through the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras, and its ongoing commitment to innovation; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, for 75 years, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra (GSO) has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the State of Georgia, enriching the lives of residents through exceptional performances, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to making music accessible to all; and WHEREAS, since its founding in 1951, the GSO has brought together professional musicians, dedicated volunteers, and passionate supporters to provide world-class symphonic, jazz, and choral music experiences that inspire, connect, and uplift our community; and WHEREAS, the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYSO), founded in 2006 as an educational division of the GSO, has for 20 years nurtured the musical talents of thousands of young people across the region, offering transformative learning opportunities that foster discipline, creativity, and leadership among the next generation; and WHEREAS, under the artistic leadership of Music Director Timothy Verville for the past 10 years, the GSO has been recognized for its innovation, artistic excellence, and pioneering programs, including sensory-friendly concerts, family programming, and initiatives that expand access to music for underserved communities; and WHEREAS, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra continues to serve as a cultural ambassador, attracting audiences from across the region, strengthening the local economy, and enhancing the quality of life for residents of all ages through the power of music. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend the Georgia Symphony Orchestra for 75 years of dedicated service to our community, 20 years of commitment to youth education through the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras, and 10 years of artistic leadership and innovation under Timothy Verville, and extend their deepest gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the cultural vitality of the State of Georgia. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution honors the Georgia Symphony Orchestra for 75 years of performances and 20 years of youth music education through its Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras program. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate praising the Georgia Symphony Orchestra (GSO), founded in 1951, for 75 years of bringing symphonic, jazz, and choral music to the state. It also recognizes the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYSO), the GSO's educational program started in 2006, for 20 years of training young musicians. The resolution further commends Music Director Timothy Verville for 10 years of artistic leadership, including programs like sensory-friendly concerts and outreach to underserved communities. It does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose any requirements. The only concrete action is directing the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for the orchestra. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends the Georgia Symphony Orchestra for 75 years of musical performances in Georgia. - Commends the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras program for 20 years of music education for young people. - Praises Music Director Timothy Verville for 10 years of artistic leadership, including sensory-friendly concerts and outreach programs. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. ### Who it affects The Georgia Symphony Orchestra, its musicians and staff, the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras program and its young participants, Music Director Timothy Verville, and the Secretary of the Senate, who must prepare a copy of the resolution. ### Why it matters This is a symbolic honor rather than a policy change. It carries no funding, legal requirement, or regulatory effect, but it gives the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and its youth education program official recognition from the state Senate for their decades of community and cultural contributions. ### Key provisions - The resolution states the GSO was founded in 1951 and has provided symphonic, jazz, and choral music for 75 years. - It notes the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras, founded in 2006, has served young musicians for 20 years. - It credits Music Director Timothy Verville with 10 years of artistic leadership and programs such as sensory-friendly concerts. - The resolving clause formally commends the GSO and GYSO for their service and Verville for his leadership. - A final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-02-18) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-02-18) - Sponsors: Kay Kirkpatrick, John Albers, Michael Rhett, Jaha Howard, Donzella James, Ed Setzler - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73255 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr781.md?full=1