sr530_Read_and_adopted_LC_36_0658_2.html
07 LC 36 0658
Senate Resolution 530
By: Senator Tarver of the 22nd

A RESOLUTION


Recognizing and commending Ellis M. Johnson; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Ellis M. Johnson is a highly talented vocalist, chorale director, and church choir director who once sang a duet with opera diva Jessye Norman; and

WHEREAS, while attending Paine College he studied voice and choral conducting with Ruby T. Jenkins and piano with Emily Remington and while at studying at Fort Valley State University, he studied voice with William Mathis and James Moore; and

WHEREAS, he also studied at such fine institutions as Seton Hall University, Montclair State College, Harvard University, and Augusta State University; and

WHEREAS, while serving his country in the United States Army, he was chapel choir director and a frequent soloist, having won the Third Army Vocal Competition Award; and

WHEREAS, early in his career he taught music and mathematics in the public schools of Richmond County; and

WHEREAS, he later pursued a career in counseling and retired as the Director of Student Services at Aiken Technical College before being selected in 1995 as an adjudicator for the Jacob K. Javits Music Fellowship held in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, this extremely gifted individual sang with the Augusta Choral Society for which he was often a featured tenor soloist, sang with the Augusta Opera, and was a soloist with the Augusta Symphony; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, he was named Opera Man of the Year and, in 1998, he received the Greater Augusta Arts Council´s Annual Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of distinguished service to the arts community; and
WHEREAS, he has been the music director of the Augusta Chorale for 14 years and also serves as choir director of the Sanctuary Choir of Elim Baptist Church where he has provided a very meaningful contribution to the religious services and offered many special music programs for the congregation and the community to enjoy.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize Ellis M. Johnson for his marvelous musical ability and commend him for providing the citizens of his community with a valuable source for personal enrichment and spiritual renewal.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Ellis M. Johnson.