AWC to hold Classics by Moonlight performance

As the sun sets Oct. 30, the quiet and relaxing sound of a full string orchestra will resonate over the grassy green lawn of the Arizona Western College Amphitheater.

The 9th annual Classics by Moonlight will feature classical and light classical music. Performing that night will be the Civic Orchestra, comprised of advanced musicians playing at the university level, and the String Ambassadors, a group of student musicians from throughout Yuma County.

According to conductor Janet Jones, the venue is ideal for non-amplified string instruments.

"The acoustics are excellent for a live orchestra. Somebody speaking on stage can be heard on the top of the hill," Jones said, adding it will sound just like orchestras that performed before the advent of electricity.

 "It is better as a live performance with no amplification," she said. "It is natural sound, and will be out under the moon and stars. The moon will be the guest of honor."

A wide variety of music will be performed at the concert, including "Serenata," "Viva La Vida," "When You Wish Upon a Star," "Dance Macabre," "Hall of the Mountain King" and "The Corpse Bride."

Classics by Moonlight will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.

Tickets will be sold at the event and are $10 for singles, $15 for couples and $5 for seniors, students and military personnel. Children 12 and under are free.

The money earned from the performances will be added to a nonprofit fund that has been set up to pay for the lessons, concerts, tuition and uniforms of the students in the orchestra.

Event organizers recommend attendees bring lawn chairs or blankets to the event to ensure comfortable seating because there will be a limited number of chairs for the audience available on site.

Concessions will be available at the event, but picnic dinners are welcomed.

For more information call 246-6715 or 314-0735.

"This performance will be presented in a relaxed atmosphere, and when you sit out on a lawn chair and the moon comes up over the Gila Valley behind the eastern mountains, it is very beautiful," Jones said.

According to Jones, live classical music is falling by the wayside, making attending the concert even more important.

"We would really like to introduce orchestral music to young children. This is a dying art and the heritage we have with classical music really needs to be preserved. If there were no stringed orchestras, many other art forms such as ballet and live theatrical productions wouldn't be the same. An orchestra really supports those other art forms."

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.