Published in the March 18-31, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Carl Reinhardt
The personal development of the children and young adults in Morgan Hill and the South Valley region is an enduring focus of what RNP Advisory Services wishes to encourage through our community support efforts. The opportunity to support the South Valley Symphony’s “Musicians Among Us, Rising Stars” concert on March 7 was a wonderful way for us to encourage our youth to grow in their appreciation for classical and symphonic music. And I must say, it was a truly inspiring, professional and engaging concert.
Held at Gavilan Community College’s Gilroy campus theater, the nearly sold-out concert brought in families from the communities of Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill in a celebration of the younger members of our community. In fact, the concert’s theme of “Musicians Among Us, Rising Stars,” was highlighted in the performances of two talented young people.
Photo by Marty Cheek
Chris Niemann conducts during the March 7 South Valley Symphony’s concert rehearsal.
Sobrato High School graduate Chris Niemann wrote a beautiful piece of music specifically for this concert called “Chasing Dreams,” which focused on the uncertainties of where the future might take young people. Chris, a 20-year-old West Valley College student, also served as the guest conductor of this piece. This was an impressive performance. If you would like to experience his piece, Morgan Hill Life’s website has a YouTube link to his performance titled “Chasing Dreams by Chris Niemann.”
The 16-year-old cellist Elena Ariza performed as special guest soloist the somber Dvorak’s “Cello Concerto in B Minor.” She is this year’s winner of the seventh annual Navaroli Young Musicians Competition held in Morgan Hill in January. Her outstanding performance on the cello amazed not just me but the entire audience.
We are fortunate to have the South Valley Symphony in our region making great music accessible for everyone. Music is something that transcends all generations and cultures. It brings people together, including bringing age groups together.
The symphony is a place where you can bring your children and your grandchildren and experience the beauty of music as a family. Kids younger than 18 and college students can enjoy concerts for free.
RNP is not alone in supporting the South Valley Symphony. Many in our community share a passion for music and youth.
The other sponsors of this concert are: Gavilan Community College, Guglielmo Winery, IBM, Target, Walmart, Silicon Valley Creates, Ira B. Marshall, John Blaettler Accountancy Corp., Streamline Office Services, South Valley Newspapers, Dona Esther Mexican Restaurant and Lounge, E Optometry’s Randall Chung, R. Erik Siverson piano tuning and repair, Princevalle Pet Hospital, Lightheart Cellars, and Frank’s Garden Florist. Together, all these sponsors help create a wonderful experience for music lovers of all ages.
I encourage you to attend an upcoming concert. You will be inspired by the talent among us. Visit the South Valley Symphony’s website at www.southvalleysymphony.org for concert dates and tickets.
Carl Reinhardt is ChFC® is CEO and a principal wealth advisor with RNP Advisory Services, Inc., a registered investment advisor, in Morgan Hill. He can be reached at (408) 779-0699 [email protected].
