Silda Wall Spitzer

SILDA WALL SPITZER
First Lady of the State of New York

Arts in school were incalculably formative in my life. I attended
public school in North Carolina during ancient times, the 1970’s,
when the arts were considered integral to education. Among other
things, I played the French horn (originally, coronet) in the school band
beginning in 7th Grade and throughout high school. Our high school
band was at the center of our school and community’s spirit and soul –
from football game halftime shows and music competitions to parades,
swing dances and orchestral and jazz band concerts. We traveled from
Atlanta, Georgia to Washington, D.C. and held countless fundraisers to
be able to afford to do so, selling everything from shampoo to oranges!

Drama also introduced me to a whole new creative world under the
remarkable direction of Mr. Bill Campbell, an English and literature
teacher who lead our adventure from the 7th Grade through high school.
Our first production was Peter Pan. Then, Oliver, Bye Bye Birdie, The
Lottery, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, MASH, Godspell and others. We
students wore many hats. I acted in small parts (not very well, but
with great enthusiasm), designed the programs, painted sets,
and served as a make-up artist. We studied the history of drama from
Aristophanes to Racine. We also produced the Concord Junior High
School Newspaper, The Goldminer, during our early years. In the 10th
grade, Mr. Campbell brought the Drama Club to New York City. It was
the first time that many of us, myself included, had ever been to New
York. We stayed at the Edison Hotel, ate at Sardi’s and Mama Leoni’s
and saw original Broadway productions of Grease and Raisin in the Sun.
I never imagined at the time that I might one day live in New York,
much less serve as First Lady of the State.

Arts opened up vistas within and around me. I discovered talents,
skills and passions that I would never have known otherwise, learned
how to work with others as a team and experienced fun, rich life
experiences that will always be among my most treasured memories.

Silda Wall Spitzer is honored and privileged to serve as the First Lady of the State of New York. In her role as First Lady, she works to advance the Governor’s vision for building One New York, undertaking initiatives to complement the revitalization of New York and the building of a sustainable economy and secure future for us and for our next generation.”

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