December 2024 Concert Program

51st Season

and Maestro Anthony Quartuccio Jr present

Holiday Gifts: Masterpieces and Memories Concert Program December 14, 2024 - 3:00 pm Advent Lutheran Church 16870 Murphy Avenue, Morgan Hill

Letter from the Music Director To our South Valley Symphony musical family: Welcome to our Holiday extravaganza 2024! In this program, we have a variety of lovely selections for you to enjoy that are both classic and holiday in nature. The program includes Concerto and Concertante works for solos and orchestra: One for two horns arranged by a wonderful local composer and performed by two excellent horn players from our area who happen to be father and daughter. Callie Siverson, playing the first horn part, traveled from Canada where she is a professional hornist - just to be here with you today! Then, Callie, our guest horn soloist, returns to play the third Horn Concerto by Mozart, which is one of the grand masterpieces of the Classical era. The fun, lighter portion of the program will focus on Christmas and Holidays around the world — some Charlie Brown tunes, Winter Wonderland, the fantastic Suite from Polar Express, and, of course, some pieces from the Nutcracker Suite, which we all love to hear live. In addition, the Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson is one of the most wonderful compilations of Holiday tunes ever made. We hope this combination of concerto music and Holiday music will brighten your spirits during this frosty time of year!

Anthony Quartuccio, Jr. Music Director and Conductor

Letter from the Board President

Dear Friends of South Valley Symphony, We are delighted to welcome you to our Holiday Gifts concert, a special celebration of the season that promises to fill your hearts with joy and warmth. We are thrilled to share it with you. As December envelops us, we invite you to join us on a musical journey that captures the spirit of winter and the holidays. Our talented performers have prepared an enchanting program featuring a blend of timeless classics and contemporary favorites that are sure to resonate with all ages. Whether you are a longtime supporter or a first-time attendee, we hope you find this experience uplifting and memorable. Thank you for being part of our musical community. Your presence means the world to us, and we look forward to celebrating the beauty of winter and the power of music together. Warmest wishes,

Rob Howe Board President 2022-2025, South Valley Symphony; Musician

Board of Directors

Rob Howe, President & Musician Michelle Bigelow, Vice President Suzanne Mullers, Director & Treasurer Kristin Carlson, Director & Secretary Mary Anne Groen, Director & Musician

Lynn Lockhart, Director Sherry Quick, Director Pamela Scholz, Director & Musician Trecia Venter, Director Miguel Ledezma, Director & Assistant Conductor

Musicians

Violin 1 Beverly Olivier-Blount ** Ben Jackson Hung Lam Ellie Lyle Jennifer McNarney Ashlie Patri Barbara Rumsby Violin 2 Sue Piccardo* Sally Gerling

Flute Roy Madsen* Christina Conner Jennifer Rozario Piccolo Christina Conner Clarinet Walker Blount* Nora Lemmon Bass Clarinet Mark Russo Oboe Steve Knapp* Vini Carter Jina Chon Bassoon John Weaver* Alex Pappas Trumpet Jeff Chambers* Jimmy Brozene Tom Brozene Kaylyn Nguyen Trombone Miguel Ledezma* Tommy Brozene Suliman Ahmadi Wei Hsu

French Horn Gayle Carlile* Jenny Redfern Callie Siverson Erik Siverson Tuba Jim O’Briant* Percussion Lilla Szini*

Kirk Berkland John Gerling Tympani Martin Groen Harp Pamela Scholz Piano Karen Adkiins Assistant Conductor Miguel Ledezma

Mary Anne Groen Kimberly Grundy Gail Miller Jan Ryan Viola Ben Jackson Matthew Carson Rosa Rezendes Claire Wilson Cello Rob Howe* Nona Childress

Deb Fenzel-Alexander Sean Roy MacAodha Bass

** Concertmaster *Section Leader

Joe Quintal* Linda Jansen

December 14, 2024 @ 3:00 PM Advent Lutheran Church, Morgan Hill Anthony Quartuccio, Jr., Conductor and Music Director Concerto No. 3 in Eb major for Horn and Orchestra Callie Siverson, hornist W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) Christmas Concertante for Horn & Orchestra Callie Siverson & Erik Siverson, soloists Arr. By Kyle Jones Selections from Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a Marche – Dance of the Mirlitons Trepak Russian Dance – Waltz of the Flowers Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Intermission Winter Wonderland Music by Felix Bernard, Words by Dick Smith Arr. By Calvin Custer Concert Suite from The Polar Express by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, Arr. By Michael Story Miguel Ledezma, conducting Around the World at Christmas Time Arr. By Bruce Chase A Charlie Brown Christmas Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson Arr. By David Pugh

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 Paul O’Neill and Robert Kinkel Arr. By Bob Phillips A Christmas Festival Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)

Program Notes Christmas Concertante for Horn and Orchestra – Kyle Jones Erik Siverson commissioned Christmas Concertante for the orchestra at Advent Lutheran, Morgan Hill, CA. Maestro Kyle Jones has led church choirs and various choral ensembles for over 25 years, directing singers in hundreds of productions featuring sacred and secular music across the United States. Jones is a graduate of Furman University and attended Florida State University for voice performance. He holds a Master’s in choral conducting from the University of North Texas in Denton. Jones enjoys teaching private lessons and servicing and tuning pianos in his free time. Horn Concerto No. 3 K. 447 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart W.A. Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat major (K. 447) was completed between 1784 and 1787 during the Vienna Period. The composition was written as a friendly gesture for the hornist, Joseph Leutgeb. The Romance movement is likely the first movement to be composed, and Mozart later expanded the work into a full concerto by adding the outer movements. A Christmas Festival – Leroy Anderson Leroy Anderson was an American composer of short, light concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler. John Williams described him as “one of the great American masters of light orchestral music.” Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a – Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky selected eight of the numbers from the ballet before the ballet’s December 1892 première, forming The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a, intended for concert performance. The suite was first performed, under the composer’s direction, on 19 March 1892 at an assembly of the Saint Petersburg branch of the Musical Society. The March is the entrance of the children to the holiday party. The Trepak dance is based on traditional Russian and Ukrainian folk dances by the same name. Dance of the Reed Flutes (Les Mirlitons) is a play on words, as Nutcracker Mirlitons are also a kind of pastry. Waltz of the Flowers represents the beauty and splendor of the floral kingdom within the Land of Sweets.

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson Originally composed for an unaired documentary about Charles Schultz, this music was released in 1964 as “Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” In 1965, Coca-Cola commissioned a Christmas special based on Peanuts, and Vince Guaraldi scored the special. Winter Wonderland – Music by Felix Bernard (1897-1944), Words by Dick Smith (1901-1935) Winter Wonderland was written as a song in 1934. Over 200 different artists have covered it. The lyrics are about a couple’s romance during the winter season. Felix Bernard and Dick Smith were frequent collaborators. Selections from The Polar Express – Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard Set on Christmas Eve, The Polar Express tells the story of a young boy who sees a mysterious train bound for the North Pole stop outside his window and is invited aboard by its conductor. He joins other children as they embark on a journey to visit Santa Claus, who is preparing for Christmas. Around the World at Christmas Time This is an arrangement of holiday music from Germany, Poland, England, Italy, France, and the USA. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 This medley of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Shchedryck” (melody used for “Carol of the Bells”) was first released in 1995. The piece describes a lone cello player playing a forgotten carol in war torn Sarajevo.

About the Navaroli Young Musicians Contest The Al Navaroli Young Musicians Competition was established by the South Valley Symphony in 2008 to encourage young musicians to develop their talent and skills. The contest is open to young musicians living or training in southern Santa Clara County, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties. It is named for Gilroy resident Al Navaroli, a passionate music lover and longtime South Valley Symphony supporter who dedicated many years of service to the symphony and died in 2008. Although he was not a musician, Navaroli was a tireless promoter of the orchestra and envisioned an orchestra of between 50 and 60 musicians, two-thirds of whom were string players. The competition, which is open to strings, winds, brass, and piano,annually gives musicians between the ages of 10 and 18 the chance to audition before trained professionals, including SVS Music Director Anthony Quartuccio. The lucky winner also earns the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist with the entire ensemble at the orchestra’s spring concert. Application and more information are available at https://southvalleysymphony.org under “Youth Competition > Competition Rules & Application form.

Save the Dates 2024-2025 Season

March 15, 2025, Gavilan College Theatre, Gilroy May 11, 2025, Guglielmo Winery, Morgan Hill

About Our Director Anthony Quartuccio Jr. has been music director and conductor of the South Valley Symphony since mid-2006. Under his direction, the orchestra is celebrating its 51st season and has evolved to perform more demanding, diverse, and exciting compositions. During his tenure, the orchestra began the Navaroli Young Musicians Competition, several in-school educational projects, "side-by-side" performances with local youth ensembles, many world premieres of works by South Valley's young composers, and top-rated concert opera, youth, and pops programs. Several concerts have featured Opera San Jose singers and local high school choirs. Maestro Quartuccio is music director and conductor for Nova Vista Symphony, associate director of the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and former conductor at Opera San Jose. He teaches music theory, composition, chorale, and instrumental groups at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto. In 2006, Quartuccio received an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Santa Clara University and awards from the California State Senate, Santa Clara County, and the Italian American Heritage Foundation for his contributions to the performing arts in the Bay Area. Quartuccio is an alumnus of the Curtis Institute of Music and studied conducting with Otto Werner-Mueller, Gunther Schuller, and Gustav Meier at Tanglewood. In 2009, he conducted the San Jose Youth Chamber Orchestra in a performance for the 14th Dalai Lama during his visit to the Bay Area and has led the orchestra on several tours.

About the South Valley Symphony

History Gilroy and Morgan Hill musicians formed the South Valley Symphony in the mid-1970s. SVS continues to be the only symphony orchestra in south Santa Clara County. It draws its musicians, board members, patrons, and audience primarily from south Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties. The Symphony performs four concerts annually between October and May, culminating with the popular Mother's Day concert at Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill. Musicians and concerts The orchestra performs a wide range of music, from classical to modern, including symphonies, film scores, choral works, jazz, and pops. Music Director and Conductor Anthony Quartuccio Jr. selects programming with assistance from orchestra members and the SVS board of directors. The 40-plus orchestra members include music educators and music enthusiasts who learned to play an instrument in school and resumed playing in later years when they had more time. Some are students or retirees, while many work full-time. Some play with other ensembles or volunteer their time to work with music teachers in local schools. Before each concert, the orchestra rehearses for six to eight weeks at South Valley Middle School in Gilroy. Musicians who wish to join the orchestra are always welcome at rehearsals. Information is available at www.southvalleysymphony.org. Funding Ticket sales, individual contributions, corporate matching grants and donations from local businesses fund South Valley Symphony concerts and operations. Additional funding comes from generous grants. The Symphony is a 501(c)(3) corporation with annual expenditures between $60,000 and $70,000. Expenses include the music director and conductor's salary; guest and solo artists' honoraria; advertising and promotion; music purchase, rental, and management; additional players; programs; and insurance and other professional expenses. Community Outreach The Symphony actively works with area schools to acquaint young people with classical and modern music and to engage them in musical performances. Musicians frequently work with classroom teachers to give master classes and other assistance in the regular curriculum. Students may receive credit for attending performances. Children and students are admitted free to all concerts. This season marks the 14th annual Al Navaroli Young Musicians Competition for young players living or training in south Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties. The competition's winner performs with the Symphony in the springtime NextGen Youth Concert.

Meet Our Sponsors The Symphony Orchestra and Board would like to thank all our supporters for their continued help. We sincerely thank you for making it possible for us to perform outstanding music for our enthusiastic audience. We could not do the programming we do without your generous support.

Crescendo $2,500-5,000 Lynn Lockhart Texas Instruments Forte $1,500-$2,499 Marie and Stephen Blankley Jenny and Bob Redfern Etrecia Venter Allegro $750-$1,499 Laurence and Sarah Connell Jennifer and Martin McNarney Joe Quintal Susan Seledon Memorial Fund Gerry and Carl Reinhardt Steven Johnson and Bonnie Linnell David and Nancy Bischoff Rob Howe Andante $500-$749 Donald and Chris Bevilacqua Dr. David and Jovita Reyes

Mezzoforte $250-$499 Walker Blount and Beverly Olivier Nora Lemon Benjamin Jackson Michael and Suzanne Muller Reverend Jose Rubio Charles Schwab Sally and John Gerling Gayle Carlile Joanne Rife Roy and Linda Madsen Mary and Thomas Conrad John Graham Kimberly Grundy Helen Lindsey Aliisia and Aleksi Rosti Pete and Elena Anderson Roger and Carol Bennett Nancy and Ken McDonald Todd Gaither In Memory of Keith Crum Carol O’Hare Sherrie Wren Mr.and Mrs.Gennaro Filice Judy Lacy Kimberly and Bob Lyle Michelle and Michael Tacchia Jan Ryan Harry Wiggins Conrad Rentals Laura and Nicholas Tindall Dolce $100-$249 Michael Brecheen

Adagio $25-$99 Pamela Scholz Joni Simonsen Clarice Wiggins Pete Schell Neil Thomas Jeff Chambers Donald Kahrs Eileen Castro Peretz Lisa Raineri Sam and Judy Bozzo Corporate Donors Nvidia Corporation Texas Instruments Network for Good Johnson Lumber

Endowment: Bill Flodberg

Barbara Bottini Kristin Carlson Susan Hines Susan Rife John Blaettler

Mrs. Marian Yoder Jeannette Dickens County of Santa Clara

Monica McClintock Mary Anne Groen

John Weaver James Kwon

How You Can Support Your Symphony! We want to thank you for your support of South Valley Symphony. During this 51st Season, we look forward to years of live, symphonic music for our community. How can you help us achieve this goal? Thanks for asking. Here are some actions you can take to help us continue our mission: Become a season ticket holder: https://southvalleysymphony.org/purchase-tickets/ Bring friends and family to a concert and introduce them to their community symphony family. Help advertise concerts by sharing concert information on your personal social media accounts. Make a tax-deductible donation by going to our website here: https://southvalleysymphony.org/donate-2/. Explore more ways to support the symphony through in kind donations, corporate donations, corporate matching, and Legacy Giving: https://southvalleysymphony.org/support-svs/ Join our Board of Directors or help start a Friends of the Symphony organization (a group of volunteers who help the front and back of the house). These are just a few ways to help us reach our next 50+ years of making beautiful music for our community. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our South Valley Symphony Board President, Rob Howe, at rch_cello@hotmail.com. Many thanks!

Get your season tickets online at www.southvalleysymphony.org