TO RECOGNIZE THE WINNERS OF THE IBLA GRAND PRIZE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION; AND TO COMMEND THE IBLA GRAND PRIZE MUSIC COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL FOR STRENGTHENING CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSICAL OUTREACH.

2026 Fiscal Session Introduced by Clint Penzo

Arkansas Senate SR 40 commends the IBLA Grand Prize and its festival for cultural exchange and educational outreach in Arkansas, recognizing 2025 winners and programs.

Sine Die adjournment

Overview

Type: Senate Resolution

Session: Fiscal Session 2026

Jurisdiction: Arkansas

Sponsor: Senator C. Penzo (co-sponsor: Clint Penzo)

Title: To recognize the winners of the IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition; and to commend the IBLA Grand Prize Music Competition and Festival for strengthening cultural exchange through musical outreach.

Purpose and Intent

The resolution commemorates and honors the IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition and Festival, highlighting its long-standing history of cultural exchange and musical excellence.

It recognizes the winners from the 2025 IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition (Gianni Burriesci, Maximilian Trebo, Wieslaw Ochwat, Maciej Zimka) and commends the organization for enhancing exposure to high-level musicianship within Arkansas and for fostering international goodwill through musical outreach.

Key Provisions and Provisions/Changes

The document does not amend statutes or create new programs; rather, it:

Extends a formal welcome to the 2025 IBLA Grand Prize winners and acknowledges their achievements.
Commends the IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition and Festival for:
Providing exposure to advanced musicianship.
Enriching Arkansas communities through performances and educational programs.
Strengthening international goodwill via cultural exchange through music.

The resolution notes the global reach of IBLA activities, including performances in the United States and a final performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

It highlights the organization’s educational outreach, including music master classes conducted in Arkansas schools over the past 25 years, reaching more than 8,000 students.

Who/What Would Be Affected

Primary beneficiaries and recognitions:

The winners from the 2025 IBLA Grand Prize: Gianni Burriesci (Italy), Maximilian Trebo (Italy), Wieslaw Ochwat (Poland), Maciej Zimka (Poland).
The IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition and Festival organization and its participants, audiences, and educational outreach within Arkansas.

Stakeholders referenced:

The leadership of the IBLA Foundation.
Arkansas students and communities that have experienced master classes and performances.
The Senate and state leadership receiving and sharing the resolution.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Filed and read in the Senate; rules suspended; placed on the calendar for consideration.

Effective date: Not applicable in the sense of statutory change; resolutions are enacted upon passage by the Senate and transmitted to the IBLA Foundation and named individuals.

Action requested: Formal recognition and commendation; distribution of copies to the IBLA Foundation leadership and the named winners.

Notable Details

The resolution emphasizes the IBLA Grand Prize’s 35-year history of international music competition and festival in Ragusa Ibla, Sicily, Italy.

It references the final Carnegie Hall performance as part of the competition’s prestige.

The educational impact cited includes master classes conducted in multiple Arkansas cities (e.g., Little Rock, Jacksonville, Maumelle, Lake Village, Forrest City, Batesville, Springdale, Searcy, Harrison, Hot Springs).

This summary provides a clear, accessible overview of SR 40, focusing on its purpose, the key recognitions and commendations, who is involved, and the procedural steps and timelines relevant to the bill.

Bill