Choir directors Jonathan Souza and Kira Dixon to bring composition to life

By Robert Airoldi

A large number of the Gilroy and Christopher High School Choir and booster club members were volunteering at the Gilroy Garlic Festival July 28 when the mass shooting occurred which took the lives of three young people — a 6-year-old, a 13-year-old, and a 26-year-old — and injured 17. Both schools’ choirs commissioned prominent American composer Giselle Wyers to create a new choral composition for mixed chorus and piano to honor those who were killed.

The Gilroy High School Chamber Singers and Christopher High School Chamber Choir debuted the world premiere performance of “May Our Eyes Remain Open” at the Dec. 9 winter concert. Choir directors Jonathan Souza, at Gilroy High, and Kira Dixon, at Christopher High, worked closely with Wyers to bring this composition to life.

“Unfortunately, this is too common an occurrence in America today, and my composition is only one of many written to commemorate losses from mass shootings,” Wyers said in a press release. “The poem, May Our Eyes Remain Open, chooses hope, truth and honesty over fear, cynicism and the shame of survival guilt . . . It asks that we find a way to accept the greatness of our sorrow and not run from its touch or its flame. Finally, it asks us to remember who we really are, even when pain and loss inevitably changes us.”

Do you have an idea for a state law that you’d like to propose to a political leader for possible vote? Well, you’re in luck. Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), who represents the South Valley region in Sacramento, is launching his inaugural “There Ought to Be a Law” program. Residents of Assembly District 30 are invited to submit ideas for state legislation.

“California faces a number of challenges. Solutions to the issues facing our community should not come from Sacramento alone,” Rivas said in a press release. “I know that there are engaged residents in our community who have ideas on how government can work better for Californians.”

Proposals can be anything from bold new programs to simple, common sense fixes to existing law that more effectively address the needs of local communities.

“Whether you have a big new idea, or a simple fix to improve past legislation, I look forward to hearing from you,” the assemblymember said. “Elected officials don’t have a monopoly on good ideas. In fact, I’ve already received great suggestions from constituents that have led to successful legislation. The goal of this program is to encourage even more people to get involved and become engaged in the legislative process. Together, we can work to make California a better place for all people.”

Proposals can be submitted through Assemblymember Rivas’s website at www.a30.asmdc.org/there-ought-be-law or contact the district office at (831) 759-8676 to get a paper form. The deadline for entries is Jan. 15, 2020.

Let’s see what new legislation might come out of this great idea to get citizens engaged in state government.

Our friend Jeff Dixon told us that the South Valley Flag Football League just opened up its 2020 winter season. Dedicated to providing a high quality NFL FLAG program for boys and girls 4-14 years of age, the group of sports enthusiasts has been running leagues in the Morgan Hill area since 2004.

If you’re interested in having your child participate, the cost to play is $150 for 10 games plus player combine, end-of-season jamboree, NFL logo jersey and flags, T-shirt, shorts, socks and more.

“NFL Flag is a 5-on-5, no-contact game that emphasizes skill development, equal playing time, life lessons and teamwork plus its lots of fun to play,” Dixon said.

Registration is now open at www.svflagfootball.net. Parents can register online, then mail payment. Payment and mailing information is located on the registration form. Early registration closes Jan. 5 and final registration closes Jan.26. The player combine will be held Jan. 5, the games start Jan. 26 and the season ends March 1.

If you were lucky to attend the South Valley Symphony’s holiday concert at Gavilan Community College the night of Dec. 14, you experienced an amazing performance guaranteed to put everyone in the audience in the Christmas spirit.

Opening the second act, Gilroy singing legend Ted Sanchez read the classic “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore that starts off with the immortal words: “It was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” He was accompanied by the orchestra playing music to highlight the story poem.

After Sanchez finished, the audience was surprised when a certain Jolly Old Elf came through the side curtains and greeted the audience. Santa Claus was played by Gilroy Life publisher Marty Cheek.

He told Sanchez, “I was test-flying my reindeer and sleigh over Gilroy and I just happened to hear you reading this wonderful poem. I just had to stop by and congratulate you on such a beautiful performance.” Then Cheek turned to the audience. “And let me tell you, every word of it is true. One hundred percent true.”

Santa stayed for the rest of the concert and later gave out peppermint candy canes to the kids in the audience — as well as a few adults.

Robert Airoldi