By Lori Dugan
Thatcher, Ariz.— The Eastern Arizona College Chamber Orchestra (EACCO), under the direction of Franklin Alvarez, will present the 29th annual Starlight Strings concert on Wednesday, October 1, at 7 p.m., in the Lee Little Theater. Admission is free, and seating is first-come, first-served.
This year’s concert also marks Alvarez’s 21st anniversary as conductor of the Starlight Strings series. Since 2004, he has guided the orchestra through this beloved tradition, shaping the concerts with his artistry and imagination while making them one of EAC’s most anticipated cultural events.
Under Alvarez’s leadership, the series has grown into themed performances that audiences eagerly anticipate. Past programs have included Classical Rock, Chamber Music and Friends, Strings Stravaganza, Not So Original, and Animal Kingdom. Other concerts have highlighted particular styles and eras, with titles like Movie Magic, The Baroque Sound, Sweet Suites, and the witty Bach–roque Time! Each theme has added a new dimension while keeping the spirit of the series alive.
This year’s performance, Level Up: A Night of Timeless Video Game Melodies, bridges generations. From the catchy 8-bit tunes of early consoles to the sweeping scores of today’s blockbuster games, the program highlights the artistry of video game music and the versatility of the orchestra.
Alvarez, a long-time and well-loved director, brings a wealth of international experience as both performer and educator. Before joining EAC, he served as principal violist with the Colombia Symphony Orchestra in Bogotá and taught at Antioquia University in Medellín, Colombia. He also performed with the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, and Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra while pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Oregon.
Event details:
- What: 29th Annual Starlight Strings: Level Up – A Night of Timeless Video Game Melodies
- When: Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7 p.m.
- Where: Lee Little Theater, Eastern Arizona College
- Admission: Free
