ANYEL, escuela de música, A.C., announces two evenings of violin and piano sonatas with receptions afterwards. Proceeds go to the music program, which currently provides a rare educational experience to hundreds of San Miguel preschool and kindergarten children. Violinist Alan Grishman teams up with pianist Sandra Schwartz in two different programs of sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Fauré. Be sure to purchase your tickets early—last year, many people were disappointed at the door.

San Miguel concert violinist Alan Grishman studied with Ivan Galamian, Max Rostal and Pablo Casals. He was first violinist of New York’s Contemporary String Quartet and the New England-based Windsor String Quartet. He participated in the Casals Festivals in France and Puerto Rico, and he was the violinist of the New England Trio and the Duo Grishman-Chiu. 

For the past three years—as a permanent resident of San Miguel—Grishman has devoted his energies to ANYEL. 

Sandra Schwartz, a native of New York City, majored in chamber music at Barnard College and Bard College. During her early years, Schwartz gave numerous solo recitals at Steinway Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall and Judson Hall in New York City. She has appeared as a soloist with the National Orchestral Association, among other orchestras, and has performed extensively as a chamber musician in the United States. 

ANYEL has a two-pronged approach to its music education program. Members of the community receive training as early childhood music teachers. Instead of asking children to come to a special school building, the teachers go to where the children are—into their own classrooms. There is no charge to either the students nor their schools for this program.

Friends of ANYEL (Los Amigos de ANYEL) are invited to participate in a class to watch youngsters as they express themselves musically and build self-esteem. Volunteers from the Mexican and foreign communities often pitch in during these classes, offering expertise in bringing music to children.

This month—with the help of a grant from the San Miguel Educational Foundation—ANYEL expands its reach to include music classes at Casa Hogar Santa Julia (the little girls’ orphanage), at the Mexiquitos boys’ orphanage and at Casa Hogar de los Angeles (CASA’s daycare center serving single working mothers). Another wonderful project is the formation of the San Miguel Children’s Chorus. Elsmarie Norby has been auditioning children from all over San Miguel and beyond in order to gather 100 voices as a permanent choral group. All children ages 8 to 16 are invited to come to the Sala Quetzal in the Biblioteca Pública on Saturdays at 10:30am for a simple audition to join the chorus. There’s no charge to the children, so this is another project that seeks financial and volunteer support from the community.

Every peso received from these concerts supports ANYEL’s programs. Tickets are available at St. Paul’s Sunday services, the Unitarian services at Posada de la Aldea and at Casa de Papel (Mesones at Reloj). Or you may reserve tickets by calling 152-3646. Additional donations give even more teachers and children the joys and benefits of the ANYEL program. To receive a tax-deductible receipt, make your check payable to “San Miguel Educational Foundation,” specifying ANYEL on the memo line. Mail checks to: ANYEL, Recreo 11, Box 354, San Miguel de Allende, Gto, 37700. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Two Evenings of Piano & Violin Sonatas
Alan Grishman, violin; Sandra Schwartz, piano
Sunday & Monday, 
February 12 & 13, 5pm
St. Paul’s Church
Cardo 6
150 pesos
(includes post-performance reception)