The talented students enrolled in the Golden Strings program and Centro Regional Musicales will present a gala concert Saturday, July 19, 5 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago in La Floresta.

The concert has an entry fee of 60 pesos and will cover a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz and various Mexican musical themes.

Children in the Golden Strings program have to pay special attention in class and practice well to maintain posession of the instruments provided for them.

The Golden Strings of Lake Chapala was founded by two men who moved to Lakeside from San Antonio, Texas. Jon Esquivel and Marvin Harthcock provided free  violin and guitar lessons to children between the ages of five and 15 years old whose parents could afford neither lessons nor instruments.

They started out with just three violins and two guitars but were soon receiving donations of instruments and funds to purchase more instruments.

Many children have taken full advantage of the program on the understanding that to keep “their” instrument they have to maintain high class attendance and be disciplined with practice.

When Esquivel moved back to San Antonio, Victor Medeles, who taught at the University of Guadalajara and already had a musical group of young people called CREM (Centro Regional de Estudios Musicales), was brought on board to direct the Golden Strings.

A few years ago, Golden Strings formed a high school scholarship program in addition to its music program. Scholarships are provided to students from economically challenged families who maintain high grades and have a strong desire to learn. The scholarships include tuition, books, uniforms, lab fees, lab coats and other ancillary costs. The scholarship program has proved as successful as the music program.

Since so many of these music students have stuck it out and developed their musical technique and knowledge, plans are underway to form an orchestra that will be composed of Golden Strings students as well as other local Lakeside talent.

Golden Strings’ only income comes from concerts and individual donations. People will soon be able to make tax deductible donations in the United States and Mexico.

For information about Golden Strings, the scholarship program or how to help, contact Harthcock at 763-5093.