The South Valley Symphony
’s 30th season is under way, and ticket sales for Saturday’s
yearly family concert are brisk. In light of hard economic times
and lack of funding for the arts, several of the country’s
orchestras, including the San Jose Symphony, have recently
folded.
The South Valley Symphony’s 30th season is under way, and ticket sales for Saturday’s yearly family concert are brisk.
In light of hard economic times and lack of funding for the arts, several of the country’s orchestras, including the San Jose Symphony, have recently folded.
The South Valley Symphony credits its continued success and longevity to its 13-year alliance with Gavilan College, the dedicated local volunteer musicians ranging in ages from 16 to 80, their committed volunteer board of directors and their fund-raising efforts.
“Our conductor, Henry Mollicone, is a part-time instructor in the music department at Gavilan, and that reduces our salary costs,” said Lynn Lockhart, symphony board president. “The members of the symphony enroll in his class. That gives us access to the Gavilan Theater for four out of our five regular season concerts.
“The symphony pays the registration fees and has to pay for the theater rental for one concert. This alliance helps keeps costs low, and we have a venue that can support a large audience. We also sponsor another music event each year and our Holiday Concert is always well attended.”
The average attendance at a concert is 350 people, but attendance has been falling off in recent years. Past president and current board member Al Navaroli attributes that to the local economy and the difficulty in bringing in new audience members.
“We’re a well-kept secret,” he said. “The audience is mostly gray hairs. The selection of what music the orchestra will play is key to attracting an audience. The board works with the conductor to pick the music, and we are building the orchestra’s numbers; we’re at about 80 percent of where we want to be.
“Our youth concert draws more families, and, by featuring young local talent, we hope to have them as future orchestra members, and we hope to develop a young audience that will grow with us.”
Lockhart, although a music lover and a former high school marching band musician, got involved with the symphony because he is a runner.
“A friend in my running club was a board member, and I got involved in the Mt. Madonna Run, which is one of the fundraisers for the symphony. Quite frankly, I’d never been to one of their concerts; I haven’t missed one since.”
Fund-raising efforts include the Mt. Madonna Run in late August, the D’Anza Trail Run in May, advertising opportunities in their programs, grants and local business sponsors.
“We would like to see more local support,” Navaroli said. “At our upcoming board retreat we hope to energize our fund-raising committee’s efforts in reaching out to local businesses.”
Saturday’s concert will feature music and narration of the children’s classic “Peter and the Wolf” by Serge Prokofiev; the Allegro Movement from Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nacht Musik;” a performance by gifted 10-year-old pianist Eileen Chen of San Jose, of the Allegro Movement of Mozart’s piano Concerto Number 23; and a demonstration of the Suzuki Method by very young players outside the theater before the concert, weather permitting.
Upcoming events include the symphony sponsored performance of the renowned Pacific Brass Band of Watsonville, which will perform at Gilroy High School Feb. 28, and on May 22 the next concert in the South Valley Symphony’s series will feature mariachi players and music.
The symphony is currently looking for string instrument musicians, specifically of cellos and violas, to help round out their sound and reach their goal of 60 members.
Details: 842-3934.
