Jack Henry has participated for many years in choirs and orchestras, and served as principal bassist for the Contra Costa Youth Orchestra for seven years. He has studied with several prominent Bay Area musicians and is currently studying music at Diablo Valley College. Jack’s influences range from Berlioz to the Beatles. His composition for Youth Inspiring Youth set music to Sombra del Mar written by Alejandro Yanez and had its premiere performance in March 2010.
Alejandro Yañez, currently attending Merced College, wrote Sombra del Mar when he was 16. He started school in the US in seventh grade and was introduced to poetry when he joined a writers’ club in high school. According to Alejandro, “Then I discovered the power of writing and while performing I was able to say things from my own perspective. Writing is part of my life, it’s a way to express who I am.”
by Alejandro Yañez
El corazón no la quiere
olvidar. Es un lucero, un
momento de paz. Como
ninguna, tú, bella luna.
Quiero seguir esa sombra
en el mar. Va navegando
día y noche sin parar.
Es un momento que no
quiero olvidar.
Mientas cierro los ojos
tú te vas, y no me
explico que te pudo pasar.
by Alejandro Yañez
The heart doesn’t want
to forget. It’s a star, a
moment of peace. Like
no one, you, beautiful moon
I want to follow that shadow
in the sea. It navigates
day and night without stopping.
It’s a moment I don’t
want to forget.
While I close my eyes
you leave, and I can’t
explain what happened to you.
Alejandro Yañez
age 16