Symphonic music has the power to inspire wonder within any listener.

By Rob Howe

Rob Howe

The concert hall falls silent as the South Valley Symphony orchestra tunes their instruments. Your 7-year-old squirms in the seat next to you, already bored before the first notes sound. You dread the next two hours. Will they disrupt the performance? Will the other audience members glare at you? You wonder if you’ve made a mistake bringing them here.

But what if instead of envisioning the worst, we imagined the best? Exposing young children and teens to symphonic music can provide incredible benefits for them in their maturity. And bringing them to SVS concerts at an early age may very likely plant a seed of a life-long appreciation for this style of music that will provide them with countless hours of pleasure.

As the president of the South Valley Symphony board of directors, I want to invite Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill families to give their children a wonderful gift: a love of rich, holiday music. The symphony is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2023 and 2024. Our half-century longevity is a testament to the quality of musical arts.

Many parents who bring their children and teens to South Valley Symphony concerts are amazed by how much their young people gain from the experience. Educators point out school kids can gain much from attending a symphony performance.

First, classical music helps children concentrate and build self-discipline. Studies show it enhances listening skills, attention span, and focus on schoolwork. The brain also develops faster with musical stimulation during early childhood. Beyond intellectual perks, the relaxing properties of classical compositions can lower children’s stress and anxiety levels. The musical adventure might even surprise them — many kids exclaim “Wow!” after hearing their first orchestral masterpiece performed live.

SVS launched the anniversary with a wonderful concert in October at Guglielmo Winery where a bright light shone by the talented musicians. The  Holiday Celebration Concert will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Gavilan College Theater in Gilroy. Tickets are only $35 for adults, but children and teens as well as students (including college students) can enjoy it for free.

The audience will be entertained with cherished holiday songs by the angelic voices of Sandra Marlowe and Gilroy’s own Ted Sanchez. And the orchestra musicians are excited to share with you the wonderful wintery music under the direction of conductor Anthony Quartuccio who has selected a number of lush holiday favorites including the rousing “Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare” by Richard Strauss.

Next year, two more concerts are scheduled. The popular NextGen Youth Concert will celebrate young musicians. It will be held March 9, at Gavilan. The first-place winner of the Al Navaroli Concert Competition will surely provide delightful music at this concert. Also a world-premiere work specially composed for the 50th year of the symphony will be debuted.

Get your tickets early for the always sold-out Mother’s Day concert held May 12, at Guglielmo Winery. It promises to be an inspiring event with plenty of uplifting music from beloved composers including John Williams’ “Send in the Heroes” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” The season finale offers dramatic favorites sure to thrill kids and parents alike.

A final bit of advice for parents preparing to bring their children to a concert for the first time. Before attending, play classical music recordings at home to warm up their listening. Some examples include “Carnival of the Animals,” “The William Tell Overture,” “Ode to Joy,” and “The Nutcracker Suite.”

Symphonic music has the power to inspire wonder within any listener. These concerts offer the perfect opportunity to give children the gift of classical compositions. Let the joyous sounds of the  South Valley Symphony orchestra ignite your child’s creativity and imagination this holiday season.

Rob Howe is the president of the South Valley Symphony.