NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University Music Academy and NSU’s Music Teacher National Association (MNTA) collegiate chapter will host “Play-A-Thon for Orlando” to raise funds to assist a fellow student and instructor with medical expenses. Proceeds will benefit Orlando Enrique Gonzalez Trucco, recently diagnosed with cancer. The fund raiser will be from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 26 in Magale Recital Hall.
Gonzalez, a music student from Cartagena, Colombia, is an instructor for the NSU Music Academy. He was awarded a scholarship to attend NSU in 2014 and since his arrival has been a busy teacher and entertainer on and off campus. He is the lead vocalist for Larry’s Group, a popular ensemble comprised primarily of music students from Colombia, and regularly performs at local churches, community functions and live music venues.
Students from the Music Academy, who range in age from elementary age to high school, are seeking sponsorships to perform at the play-a-thon and are collecting donations. They will prepare pieces to perform as solos or groups and will select times starting at 4:30 p.m. to perform. Larry’s Group will perform at 7:30 p.m.
“We are hosting the Play-a-Thon for Orlando in response to the sudden hospitalization of our teacher, musician and friend,” said Francis Yang, NSU professor and director of the Natchitoches Music Academy. “Orlando and his family need financial help for his treatment and the recovery process. This play-a-thon is especially meaningful as he is a mentor and teacher of many students from the NSU Music Academy.”
Checks can be made to NSU CAPA with Orlando written in the memo. For more information, or to sponsor the Play-a-Thon, contact Yang at yangf@nsula.edu or call (318) 357-5763.
Friends can also support Gonzalez through a GoFundMe account at https://www.gofundme.com/todos-por-orly.
