Press Release
From the Office of
State Representative
Gale D. Candaras

March 2, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE….
Contact: Candace Ouillette Gaumond: 413.599.4785

CANDARAS JOINS COMMITTEE SUPPORTING CULTURE IN MASSACHUSETTS

Boston – Representative Gale D. Candaras (D-Wilbraham) is pleased to announce her participation on the Arts, Sciences and Humanities Legislative Leadership Committee for the 2001 Commonwealth Awards. This joint House-Senate leadership team was formed to demonstrate the Legislature’s support for the state’s highest cultural honor, given biennially for outstanding contributions in the arts, humanities and sciences.

This year the state bestowed three of its eight Commonwealth Awards to Western Massachusetts contributors: Richard Yarde, artist who teaches at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst; Professor Lynn Margulis, a geoscientist at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst; Springfield’s very own, Community Music School of Springfield.

Candaras states that, “the Legislature is honored to recognize this year’s recipients. They and so many others have enriched the entire Commonwealth through their dedication to excellence and their commitment to broadening cultural opportunity for everyone.” Candaras praises our very own Western Massachusetts recipients, “Yarde’s and Marulis’s have accomplished so many wonderful things here in Western Massachusetts. They deserve to be recognized for their creativity and commitment to preserving the cultural prospects in our region.” “The Community Music School of Springfield has and is dedicated to enhancing our community with the art of music. It offers a diverse array of musical programs and instructions to the citizens of Springfield as well as the surrounding communities. I have always been a strong supporter both personally and as a State Representative of the Community Music School of Springfield.”

The awards are co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities, and Fleet. The Awards will be presented at a public celebration at Emerson Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont Street, Boston, on Wednesday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 617-824-8000.