DEAR EDITOR:
Think for a moment about the best birthday gift you have ever
received.
DEAR EDITOR:
Think for a moment about the best birthday gift you have ever received. Maybe it was diamonds or a new car or the latest gizmo or gadget. I have received some great gifts for my birthday in years past, but this year I received the greatest gift I have probably ever had.
It was my great privilege to accompany the Gilroy High School Chamber Singers on their tour of Germany and the Czech Republic along with 11 other parents. As we left the high school on April 9th, I had mixed emotions about leaving my younger three children and husband behind to accompany my eldest daughter and the choir to such a far away land. I boarded the bus with tears in my eyes and hoped that this trip would be worth the sacrifice.
It wasn’t long before I knew that I was in for one of the best experiences of my life. The choir sang at the Easter services on Sunday morning and touched all who were in attendance. Their singing continued the next day in a small village named Wettin. There were almost 200 people at this concert held in a church built in the 11th century. According to our tour guide, most of the people had probably never seen an American in their lifetime. The young people in our choir acted with dignity and respect and represented America very well. They sang beautifully and were warmly received by the audience.
Scenes such as these were repeated throughout the week and each concert seemed to surpass the last. The choir was able to sing at a number of historic places that were not scheduled – concert stops such as the Bach Museum and Zwinger Square and at a number of various cathedrals. At each place they sang, people gathered to hear the inspiring music. Many asked who they were and where they were from. Many also expressed their appreciation for such beautiful music.
On the night before we were to travel back home, the members of the choir sang in a monastery in Beroun called St. John Beneath the Cliff. It seems the choir saved the best for last. As I listened I wished that each one of their parents could have been there to witness this wonderful scene. The audience gave them a standing ovation, as did the audiences at each previous concert. The choir was thanked sincerely and their parents were also thanked for supporting their children and enabling them to be in the Czech Republic to bring such wonderful music to their part of the world. Again tears came to my eyes, but there were tears of gratitude for the opportunity to experience such an incredible tour with these great students.
I recognize that the people of the city of Gilroy should also be thanked for their continued support of the choirs at Gilroy High School. Without our supportive community, such rich experiences would not be a reality. You may rest assured that the members of the choir represented our community and nation very well. Throughout the tour the students had exemplary behavior. These high school students continue to amaze me as they lift each other and those around them to greater heights. Well done, Gilroy High School Chamber Singers!
Melanie Livingston on behalf of parent Chaperones Rose Marie Arbizu, Renee Willis, Vicki Ketchen, Brian and Luraly Warner, Judy Harris, Irene Minderler, Janine Drake, Arti O’Conner, Vickie Groppe and Sandi Mason
Submitted Thursday, April 29
