How many more?

I remember a quote from the movie “And the Band Played On.” I have used it with some changes over the years, and I’m using it again today.
“How many school shootings do we need? How many students have to die to make it cost effective for the citizens, Congress, the Senate, the president– past, present and future– to do something about it? A hundred? A thousand? Give me, give the grieving parents, teachers, first responders, EMTs, nurses, PTs and coaches a number so we won’t annoy you again until the amount of money the schools, states and federal government begin spending on lawsuits makes it more profitable for you to pass gun laws, gun restrictions to save lives, than to allow more school shootings, and the loss of our loved ones?” (Modified from Dr. Don Francis in “And the Band Played On”)
I will not debate gun ownership. I am all for legal, appropriate gun ownership. Restrictions on magazine load and mental health status must be addressed, and I believe a single type restriction and clearance is needed.

Marlene Trempy,
Benicia

Chamber Players’ beautiful Valentine

On Sunday, Feb. 11, the Benicia Chamber Players gifted Benicia with a beautiful and romantic concert in the Benicia Capitol building. They surprised everyone by beginning with a heartbreakingly lovely arrangement of Richard Rogers’ “My Funny Valentine”, which was not on the original program. The response was proof that they are as adept at touching hearts through popular music as they are through the classics.
One couldn’t find any composer more classical than their second selection, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose Quintet in C Major, K515 they played next. The “conversation” between the violin and viola in the Andante section was as varied as between humans in love, leading to the joyous, buoyant happy ending of the Allegro. The audience responded with a standing ovation from all!
After the intermission, the concert resumed with Johannes Brahms, the quintessential Romantic Period composer. His String Sextet, in B Flat Major, was a communal celebration, bringing us all to our feet once again! Each instrument had an opportunity to shine, beginning with the resonant tones of the cello, which were reflected from the walls and ceiling of the Capitol building. The size and shape of the Senate Chamber is ideal for this style of music, recalling a castle ballroom. It was a reminder that chamber music was intended to be performed in a chamber!
Congratulations to violinists Clif Foster and Brian Lee, violists Stephanie Ng and Caroline Lee, and cellists Michael Graham and Brady Anderson! They seemed to be having as much fun as we were!
The concert was a delightful, informal community gathering (no tuxedos!), and it has been marvelous to see the audience growing larger with each performance! With the support of local businesses like Mozart, Einstein and Me, which helps publicize the concerts, and Buon Appetito ,which offered a 10 percent discount to anyone who brought in a concert program, long may it continue!
Fortunately, they have another one scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Capitol on May 13.

Peggy Duly,
Benicia

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