To enhance the health of the performers and community, the University of Texas of Rio Grande Valley has canceled all Patron of the Arts events through the end of April.
Patron of the Arts is the performance and membership series of the UTRGV School of Music. It was created in 1984 in Brownsville to provide the community and students with opportunities for learning and enrichment by attending live events by professional guest musicians as well as visual artists, according to patron.utrgv.edu
More than 20 performances were canceled. Some were going to have two showings.
People who purchased regular and season tickets were refunded.
Dahlia Guerra, assistant vice president for Public Art, said the Patron of the Arts would love the performances to continue, however, at this time in history, it is impossible.
“It’s unfortunate,” Guerra said. “It’s a difficult time that we’re going through and, as many other events are being canceled throughout the state and nation, one has to do what’s best for the health of the students and community.”
Alicia Abundiz, music education junior, was going to portray herself in the UTRGV Opera Theater production “Cabaret Without Borders” directed by music Associate Professor Daniel Hunter-Holly and music Lecturer Bethany Mamola.
Asked about her thoughts on the cancellation of the performance, Abundiz said, “I feel pretty disappointed … kind of upset. But, you know, it is kind of scary in a way because it’s … a new situation that I’ve never been in. So, I’m just trying to be as hopeful and positive.”
Kurt Martinez, UTRGV School of Music director and guitar professor, said the Patron of the Arts is following the decisions of the university by canceling events that have large gatherings of people.
The UTRGV guitar ensemble developed a creative solution to complete class requirements.
Martinez said that he will put together a performance from the guitar ensemble as every player will record their own part from their home. He plans to upload the video to the Patron of the Arts website.
“We look forward to the day when we can offer wonderful concerts again,” Guerra said. “We love to bring world-class events to our community and to our campus and we’ll do that again some day.”
