Some people dream of standing on a podium and conducting a
symphony orchestra and some people have nightmares about standing
on a podium and conducting a symphony.
Some people dream of standing on a podium and conducting a symphony orchestra and some people have nightmares about standing on a podium and conducting a symphony. I once had the latter nightmare after years of not sympathizing with the conductors I’ve played for waking up to the extreme frustration a conductor must have when the music in their head and on the score does not come even close to what is being played by the musicians.
John Graham, South Valley Symphony Board Vice President and San Benito County resident, had the dream to conduct a symphony and his dream was realized last Saturday night on the Gavilan College stage while conducting the South Valley Symphony. Mr. Graham chose to conduct “The London Suite” by composer Eric Coates while Maestro Tony Quartuccio graciously stepped down from the podium to allow Graham to realize his goal. True to the spirit of a community symphony and a Gavilan College class, Quartuccio coached Graham throughout rehearsals leading up to the concert while the symphony members tested his resolve to understand the nuances of conducting musicians (and the physical demands of three movements!).
Graham passed his test with flying colors.
Along with Graham, Gavilan music professor Maria Amerkhanian added her talents at the piano to the Family Concert cheered on in the audience by her husband Albert Marquez, twin daughters Jade and Dominque, and her mother Diana Amerkhanian.
Long time friend and colleague of Quartuccio’s, Mezzo Soprano Mary Elizabeth Enmenn, narrated a charming “Family for Baby Grand” by Brad Ross. Enmenn’s voice characteristics of instruments delighted all those except the trumpet section. Blah, blah, blah went Enmenn’s voice at the top of her lungs imitating the love of loudness by the brass section.
Oakwood third-grader Cailey Anderson headed for the percussion section on stage after the concert to have a go at the loud tympani. A standing ovation for all those parents who brought their children to a live performance! Bravi!
Flying the purple colors of the Relay for Life on a banner outside Troy’s Bocci Ball in Morgan Hill, Steve Barsanti greeted longtime walkers and team members as well as newbies to the field inside the bocci courts for a Monday night hangin’ out meet-and-greet party. Barsanti, along with most of the Relay for Life participants, has experienced the effects of cancer with family and friends – losing two friends to cancer already this year. With his Relay for Life thunder sticks, Barsanti welcomed the crowd of team leaders and calling out raffle prize winners, including Gretchen Ankiel who stayed long enough to keep winning. “I’m never, ever lucky,” laughed Ankiel. Ankiel won a lot of purple stuff.
The Paws for a Cause team, made up of staff from South County Animal Hospital and Monte Vista Students, stopped by for paper work along with The Physical Therapy Works Team headed by Daniele Conlan. Team recruitment volunteer, Wendy Campos, is starting her sixth year of work with Relay for Life, heading right into planning for her next event of the Morgan Hill Wine Auction and her son’s upcoming wedding. San Jose friends of Melissa Blas, Michael and Shirley Henson and Victoria Walton, joined the team known as the Melissa Blas’ team. They’re still thinking of an alternative team identity but the M.B.’s were happy to help the cause.
With 50 registered teams last year, Barsanti hopes to meet their goal of 60 teams this year. The Morgan Hill Relay for Life begins May 19. Steve Stratton and Dennis and Eileen Kennedy met by the bocci court to plan their participation in the walk – remembering the pain of Stratton’s loss of his wife to breast cancer 10 years ago. As Stratton put it, “It (cancer) so sucks. I just want to be a part of the cure.” If you’d like to be a part of the cure, the next Team Captain Event is from 7 to 8pm April 2 at the Holiday Inn Express in Morgan Hill. For additional information go to www.morganhillrelay.com.
Ciao for now.
