Classical concert aids Relay For Life

The Red Rock String Ensemble and Friends will present An Enchanted Evening, Part II on Friday evening at the Gallup Performing Arts Center. Some of the participating musicians are shown here, standing from left to right: Roy Howard, Susie Fronterotta, Jennifer Boots-Marshall, Emmanual Lalalio, Tara Lucio, Bill Krzymowski, and Elaine Bobo. Heather Haveman is seated. [Courtesy Photo]

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

GALLUP — The Red Rock String Ensemble and Friends will be presenting a concert of classical music on Friday to benefit the upcoming Gallup Relay For Life.

"An Enchanted Evening, Part 2" will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, at the Gallup Performing Arts Center, 1500 S. Second St. The concert will feature the talents of more than a dozen local musicians along with a visiting cellist from Albuquerque.

Admission is free due to sponsorship by The Independent. Donations will be collected during the concert for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

"Everything we raise will go to Relay For Life," said concert organizer Elaine Bobo, who said a similar concert raised $1,200 for Relay last year.

"My goal is to top what we raised last year," she added.

Bobo said she has been involved in supporting Gallup's Relay For Life for four years. The first two years she was a member of a relay team, but last year she wanted to do something different. Sponsoring a classical music concert provides the opportunity to do something she loves while helping a worthy cause, she explained.

Bobo said she "twisted a few arms" of people to round up this year's group of outstanding performers.

Musicians performing in this year's concert include Brazilian cellist Sandro Francescetti, a graduate student from the University of New Mexico; Elaine Bobo, harpiscord and piano; Jennifer Boots-Marshall, violin; Michael Fernandez, clarinet; Susie Fronterotta, violin; Heather Haveman, viola; Roy Howard, bass; Lauren Jost, flute; Bill Krzymowski, viola and violin; Emmanual Lalalio, viola; Tara Lucio, violin; Kathy Shaw, piano; and Russ Woods, French horn. Frankie Lopez, a young piano student from Gallup, will also perform.

According to Bobo, the concert will include the Rachmanioff Piano Prelude; Brahms Horn Trio, a unique piece played by the French horn, piano, and violin; Mozart Trio with piano, clarinet, and viola; Beethoven Trio with violin, viola, and flute; and Bach Brandenburg Concerto for Strings with cello, bass, three violins, three violas, and harpsichord. Russ Woods will conduct the latter piece.

A reception will follow the concert.

For more information about the event, call (505) 863-7287 or 879-0434.