“ Lord of the Rings ,” “ Pirates of the Caribbean ,” “ Jurassic Park ,” “ The Cowboys ,” and the iconic classic , “ Star Wars ,” to name just a few . The October event includes a complimentary champagne reception at 3 pm . Families are encouraged to attend . Youths ( 16 and under , accompanied by an adult ) and college students ( with ID ) will receive free admittance .
The SVS 2017-2018 season also marks the 10th Annual Navaroli Young
Phil Robb , Alumni Chorus , December 2016
Musicians Competition , named after Al Navaroli , a long-time Gilroy resident , Symphony supporter and lover of classical music who wanted to see it live on through younger generations . The competition is open to young musicians , ages ten through eighteen , who reside ( or study with a music instructor who resides ) in South Santa Clara , San Benito , Monterey , or Santa Cruz counties . “ You carry on the next generation ,” Martin Groen , SVS ’ s chief percussionist , said , regarding the competition . “ You give them the avenue , and the opportunity to perform with an organized group .”
This year SVS rehearsed and performed with the Sobrato High School Concert Band for the 2017 Young Musicians concert .
“ A great experience for musicians of all ages that the Symphony plans to repeat ,” Jenny Redfern , French horn musician and 21-year SVS member , said .
In 2006 Music Director and Conductor , Anthony ( Tony ) Quartuccio brought renewed emphasis to SVS regarding engaging young musicians as solo performers .
“ Our veteran musicians have played side by side with aspiring teens from our local schools ,” Quartuccio said .
“ It gives youth a glimpse of their future as musicians . We invite youth from the audience to stand with the orchestra during a performance so they can be immersed in the music .”
“ Our conductor has a heart of gold . He is a very special man , he ’ s very sensitive , and he ’ s just a vessel of music knowledge ,” Olivier Blount said .
Mary Anne Groen , second violinist , SVS member since 1983 , and Martin ’ s wife , agreed . “ We ’ ve had some great conductors . We ’ ve had very good conductors . But I think Tony has understood us the best , and he has the most patience for us ,” she said .
Eleven years ago Quartuccio replaced Henry Mollicone who stepped down after a five-year run . Preceding Mollicone was Jason Klein . But Concert Master Kathleen Baraclough , a Morgan Hill School District employee , started it all in the early 1970s when Burnett Elementary School asked her to provide an orchestra to perform at an Independence Day celebration . Baraclough , Pat Meyer , the longest standing member of SVS , and other local musicians performed “ The Stars and Stripes Forever ” to a standing ovation .
“ Before that , music lovers had to travel to San Jose or further . It ’ s grown
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 gmhtoday . com
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