What a wonderful night of music-making! On Monday evening, Nov. 17th at the Petit Trianon, three youth orchestras played their hearts out on strings that touched the heartstrings of every person in the jam-packed audience. From the littlest musician, whose bow probably measured 12 inches, to the most accomplished and mature young cellist, each played with focus, dedication, and musicality.
I am thrilled to live in a city where an orchestra like the SJCO is actually given funding by the City of San Jose to provide opportunities to our children like no other activity in their lives. What they learn by participating in an orchestra goes far beyond the immense soul-satisfying musical piece. They also learn how to collaborate, how to get along with others in an extremely diverse ethnic environment, how to concentrate effectively for long periods of time, how to react well in front of 300 people, how to follow a leader consistently and for the greater good of the group. Some will go on to stellar musical careers, and some will go on to other endeavors, but all will be better for the experience they are receiving.
All children are funded in part or in whole by scholarship funds, donations, grants, etc. The Santa Clara Association of Realtors Foundation recently gave the Youth Orchestra Programs a donation of $2,000...just another indication of support even in tough times from a growing group of donors to this terrific orchestra program.
Now, if we could all write a little note to the San Jose Mercury News to re-institute Richard Scheinin's regular critiques for all the various performing organizations in our community, we might have the makings of a grown-up city.
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