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S. R. No. 16 *SS36/R696* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
26/SS36/R696
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, McCaughn, Blount,
DuPree, England, McLendon, Simmons (12th),
Simmons (13th)
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 16
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI 1
SENATE TO MISSISSIPPI'S LARGEST PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING ARTS 2
ORGANIZATION THE MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FROM JACKSON, 3
MISSISSIPPI, AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2026 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD 4
FOR EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMING ARTS. 5
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program has announced its 6
2026 recipients, which include Mississippi's largest professional 7
performing arts organization The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra 8
(MSO) from Jackson, Mississippi, as the 2026 Governor's Arts Award 9
recipient for Excellence in Performing Arts; and 10
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program signifies the 11
important relationship between government and the arts. 12
Established in 1988, the Governor's Arts Awards program recognizes 13
individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy 14
contributions to or achieved artistic excellence in Mississippi 15
and is the most prestigious award for living artists in the state. 16
The Mississippi Arts Commission presents the awards each year in 17
partnership with the Governor's Office. The 38th Governor's Arts 18
Awards ceremony is February 12, 2026, at The Westin Jackson. The 19
S. R. No. 16 *SS36/R696* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) and the Governor's Office are 20
pleased to announce four outstanding artists and one legacy arts 21
organization as recipients of the 2026 Governor's Arts Awards; and 22
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO), the 23
state's largest professional performing arts organization, has 24
been a cornerstone of Mississippi's cultural life since its 25
founding in 1944. Based in Jackson but serving the entire state 26
of Mississippi, MSO is dedicated to enriching, inspiring, and 27
educating communities through the power of live orchestral music; 28
and 29
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Music Director and Conductor 30
Crafton Beck, MSO presents an exciting annual season of concerts 31
that includes masterworks from the classical repertoire, pops, 32
chamber music, outdoor performances, and special collaborations 33
showcasing the richness of Mississippi's artistic landscape; and 34
WHEREAS, with a mission to bring music to all Mississippians, 35
MSO reaches thousands of people each year through statewide tours, 36
community partnerships, and educational initiatives. Its 37
education programs, including school concerts, string instruction, 38
and outreach to young musicians help cultivate the next generation 39
of artists and audiences across both urban and rural communities; 40
and 41
WHEREAS, from the grandeur of its symphonic series to the 42
beloved annual Pepsi Pops at the Reservoir, the Mississippi 43
Symphony Orchestra acts as a cultural ambassador and a unifying 44
S. R. No. 16 *SS36/R696* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Recognize MS Symphony Orchestra (MSO) as
recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for
Excellence in Performing Arts.
force, celebrating the shared experience of music while continuing 45
to expand access and impact throughout the state; and 46
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and 47
express appreciation for the energy and excellence of a 48
Mississippi organization which has made Mississippi a better place 49
and exemplifies the charitable and musical traditions of our great 50
state: 51
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 52
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the 53
Mississippi Senate to Mississippi's largest professional 54
performing arts organization The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra 55
from Jackson, Mississippi, as the recipient of the 2026 Governor's 56
Arts Award for Excellence in Performing Arts and extend our 57
congratulations to this outstanding arts and civic organization on 58
this auspicious occasion. 59
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 60
The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Director, Crafton Beck, and 61
made available to the Capitol Press Corps. 62