New Horizons Symphony Orchestra offers free concert in February

During For the Love of Art Month, enjoy a free concert by local musicians who perform purely for the love of music. The Las Cruces New Horizons Symphony Orchestra, led by Dr. Oscar Butler, offers its Valentine’s gift of music on Saturday, February 21, at 3 p.m. at the New Mexico Sate University Edith and F.E. Atkinson Recital Hall (formerly the NMSU Recital Hall) on Horseshoe Circle.

The concert will feature Vivaldi’s “Concerto in A Minor” performed by Dr. Marianna Gabbi, former conductor of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, and Gordon Butler, member of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of the New Horizons Symphony Orchestra. In addition, there will be performances of Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei Adagio for Cello” played by Alison Reynolds, Bach’s “B Minor Suite” as a solo by flutist Nancy Christmore, Handel’s “Where E’er You Walk” performed by oboist Estelle Vipond, and pieces by the full orchestra.

New Horizons is a national organization that was created over 15 years ago to give seniors a venue for fulfilling their dreams of becoming musicians. As it evolved, previously trained artists found the group to be a perfect way to return to their musical roots. Now you find musicians of a broad age range working and learning together. This is the fifth year for the Las Cruces chapter, which gives free concerts two or three times annually, and practices weekly at Las Cruces High School.

For more information about joining the orchestra, attending or scheduling a concert, call (575) 522-5571 or (575) 523-9101. You may also check their Web site at www.nhsocruces.com

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.