8
November 19, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
COMMUNITY
San José Symphonic Choir Celebrates the Gift of Music
On November 23, San José Sym-
phonic Choir will step back into the
18th century to present Georg Frideric
Handel’s Messiah, performed in full
and conducted by Music Director Le-
roy Kromm with the San José Baroque
Orchestra playing instruments from
Handel’s time.
The performance begins at 7:30 pm,
at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church,
13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga.
Messiah’s stunning first perfor-
mance was on April 13, 1742. Handel
was already so famous that the audi-
ence was urged to leave their hoop
skirts and swords at home to make
more room in Dublin’s Great Music
Hall. A record 700 people attended
the performance. After a sneak peek
at the dress rehearsal the night be-
fore, excited newspapers reported
t hat t he orator io “fa r su r passes
anything of that Nature, which has
been performed in this or any other
Kingdom.” What a great start to what
is probably the most-performed piece
of classical music in the world!
Originally premiering as an Easter
piece, since the 19th century, Messiah
has usually been performed in the
Christmas season. It deals equally
with both subjects and is a carefully
crafted and shaped portrait of the life
of Jesus, beginning with the proph-
ecy of his coming, and continuing
through his birth, death, and resur-
rection. The creator of the libretto was
Charles Jennens, a close friend and
collaborator with Handel.
Messiah is the stuff of legend. The
most intriguing legend surrounds
King George II of England, who
attended a London performance.
Apparently, he was so overcome
with emotion during the powerful
Hallelujah Chorus that he rose to his
feet. Of course, when the King stands,
everybody stands, so the entire hall
rose for the duration of the song.
Ever since, in performance venues
both religious and secular, there has
been a tradition of standing during
the Hallelujah Chorus. People do not
always stand today, but when they do,
they are carrying on a long tradition.
It is likely t hat Ha ndel never
imagined his Messiah would become
Mental Health over the Holiday Season
By Brady Umfleet
For many of us, the holiday season
is a wonderful time, spent with friends
and family. We give thanks, celebrate
our faith, and usher in a new year.
However, the holiday season is
when we see an increase in stress and
mental health challenges even for the
most resilient of us. We may mourn for
loved ones, think of our own mortality,
struggle to meet financial, social, and
other holiday expectations, or face a
new year with uncertainty.
Some ways we can reduce our stress
and other mental health challenges
are to first acknowledge feelings and
stress you are experiencing – it is okay
to express to others how you are feel-
ing. Reach out to your support system
such as family, friends, and spiritual
community and let them know how
you are feeling.
It may be tempting to bunker down
in your home and binge watch your
favorite show. However, do take time
to get out and experience activities that
Music Director
Leroy Kromm
Season 96 · 2019–2020
SJSymphonicChoir
@SJSChoir
Celebrate the Gift of Music
This Holiday Season
Georg Frideric Handel · Messiah
Saturday, November 23, 7:30 pm
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Saratoga
Gerald Finzi · In Terra Pax
Saturday, December 7, 7:30 pm
Church of the Ascension, Saratoga
make you happy, even running down
to your favorite café or lunch spot for
an hour or so can reduce your feelings
of sadness.
Thankfully, in sunny California,
we do not experience Seasonal Affec-
tive Disorder (SAD) much, so we can
go for short walks that will help us
reduce our stress. Other techniques
to cope with the holiday season are
to get good sleep, eat healthy meals,
practice deep breathing, make a grati-
tude or success list, or participate in a
generative activity, such has research-
as popular as it has today, 277 years
later, but to him it was always a favor-
ite. His annual benefit concerts for his
preferred charity -- London’s Found-
ling Hospital, a home for abandoned
and orphaned children -- always
included portions of Messiah.
Handel died at home, a respected
and rich man. His funeral was given
full state honors, and he was buried in
Westminster Abbey in London.
In 1823, Beethoven, referring to
Messiah, proclaimed Handel to be the
“greatest composer that ever lived.”
Tic k e t s a r e s old i n adva nc e
and at the door. Youth 12 and un-
der are free. For more information,
or to purchase tickets, please visit
www.sanjosesymphonicchoir.org.
ing your family history.
There are some excellent resources
for self-care activities available on the
Catholic Charities website: Catholic-
CharitiesSCC.org/behavioral-health.
Lastly, if you experiencing feelings
and thoughts that may put you and oth-
ers at risk, please call County of Santa
Clara’s Behavioral Health Services Call
Center, which is available 24-hours a
day, 7 days a week (800) 704-0900.
Brady Umfleet is the Division Director
of Behavioral Health Services for Catholic
Charities.
A Very Magical & Modern Christmas
This Holiday season, the Valle
Monte League has three opportuni-
ties for “Practicing Acts of Kindness,
Gratitude & Giving.”
They are:
• Friday, December 6 - Cham-
pagne Brunch @ $140pp - 10:30
a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 7 - Cham-
pagne Brunch @ $140pp - 10:30
a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Decmber 7 - Glitter
& Gratitude Gala @ $180pp –
6 p.m. – 1 a.m.
All events will be held at DoubleTree
by Hilton San José, 2050 Gateway Place,
San José. Reservations can be made at
www.vallemonte.org.
Valle Monte League funds Family
& Children Services, Hearts & Minds
Activity Center (formerly Alzheimer’s
Activity Center), Centre for Living
with Dying at the Bill Wilson Center,
Services for Brain Injury.
You-Sing-It Messiah
Monday, December 9, 7:30 pm
California Theatre, San Jose
Season of Hope
Monday, December 16, 7:30 pm
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose
www.SanJoseSymphonicChoir.org/upcoming-events/
For additional information and tickets, please contact us:
408.995.3318 or [email protected]
SJSC is supported, in part, by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose,
and also by SVCreates, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara,
and by the generous grant from the Peery Fund.
CAREGIVER-ELDERCARE
IN-HOME CARE AGENCY
We are off ering COMPETITVE
Rates & Flexible Schedules
408-677-3682 | 408-613-7189
caregivereldercare.com