When it comes to music in Morgan Hill, most people think of the
Emerald Regime at Live Oak High School, the Britton and Murphy
junior high school bands or garage bands formed by teens.
When it comes to music in Morgan Hill, most people think of the Emerald Regime at Live Oak High School, the Britton and Murphy junior high school bands or garage bands formed by teens.
But few know that there is another place where people can go to perform: The Morgan Hill Wind Symphony.
Formed in the 1980s, the symphony is open to players of wind instruments, percussion included, from junior high age and older.
The symphony was originally a group formed at the First Presbyterian Church in Morgan Hill and had 15 to 20 members.
Don Jensen, who has been involved with the symphony since the beginning, said once word got out, especially in Gilroy, the popularity grew.
Since then, the group grew and eventually became autonomous from the church, though they still use the church’s facilities on West Main and DeWitt avenues.
The symphony practices every Wednesday night and will periodically perform locally.
Performances are held in the Outdoor Amphitheater at the Community and Cultural Center, St. Mary’s in Gilroy or during the Fourth of July parade, where they regularly enter a float.
Membership rises and falls based on the season since many of the members, who attend junior high or high school, return to their school band during the school year.
“We’re very seasonal,” said Howard Miyata, a member of the symphony and whose brother is the conductor. “When fall comes, we shrink down. The kids return to school to take part in school band activities.”
Miyata said there are about 30 adults who participate year-round.
Jensen said since the group is multi-generational, the younger players, especially those in junior high, have a real chance to hone their skills.
“We try to be a mentor to the youth, particularly those in junior high,” Jensen said. “It’s a traditional evening band activity where both middle and high school students participate. It’s neat where adults and kids can play in the same organization and play advanced, quality music.”
Members are not limited to Morgan Hill residents. The symphony has people from all around the South Valley as well as San Jose, Hollister and Aromas. The conductor, Vernon Miyata, who graduated from Live Oak, is the instrumental music teacher at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo.
Miyata didn’t know the group existed until one day he was asked to sub for his brother. From there he was named co-conductor and, in 1998, he became the lead conductor.
Miyata first became interested in conducting while attending Britton.
“In eighth grade, the teacher (Marty Baum) asked if anyone was interested in conducting,” Miyata said. “I stepped to the plate and he said I had a real talent. He inspired me.”
From there Miyata went on to play in the Emerald Regime and study music at San Jose State University.
He said being a conductor for the symphony is the highlight of his week.
“After being around high school students several hours a day, five to seven days a week, coming to Morgan Hill is a rest time,” Miyata said. “I look forward to rehearsals. It’s sad they are only once week but once a week is all we can have.”
The symphony performs a wide range of pieces that are chosen based on the season, the number of players available and what parts the music calls for.
The group will play Broadway tunes, movie scores pops and, once in a while, a march.
“In spring we work on more serious music, like symphonic transcriptions,” said Howard Miyata. “We try to throw in a nice variety.”
Vernon Miyata said the group, though they only practice once a week, play extremely sharp and almost can perform a piece after just one run through.
“As conductor, it is so refreshing to play through the piece the first time and have it almost performable,” Miyata said. “We have a good amount of well-trained musicians in the group.”
The symphony is always open to new members.
Miyata said the band is looking especially hard for double reeds (oboes and bassoons) and percussion.
“We could always use more percussionists,” Miyata said. “Percussionists used to be dime a dozen, at least in high school. But they now become involved in winter and spring activities and those students aren’t able to attend weekly rehearsals. But any other people who wish to perform are more than welcome.”
Rehearsals are held at 7:30pm Wednesdays at the Presbyterian Church, 16970 DeWitt Ave.
