Free concert and donation drive to help California fire victims

University of Nevada, Reno chorus performs, collects donations Nov. 20

Paul Torkelson directoring choir

University singers will perform a free concert which features a donation drive to help California fire victims, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at St. John's Presbyterian Church.

Free concert and donation drive to help California fire victims

University of Nevada, Reno chorus performs, collects donations Nov. 20

University singers will perform a free concert which features a donation drive to help California fire victims, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at St. John's Presbyterian Church.

Paul Torkelson directoring choir

University singers will perform a free concert which features a donation drive to help California fire victims, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at St. John's Presbyterian Church.

The Symphonic Chorus will present its annual fall choral concert 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 1070 West Plumb Lane in Reno. This year, the free performance includes a student-led donation drive to help Camp, Hill and Woolsey fire victims in California.

"Dr. Torkelson, our director, was talking to us about the meanings our music could hold for us," said Ashley Andrews, a member of the chorus. "We talked about loss, hardship. Someone brought up the devastation in California."

The Symphonic Chorus is made up of University students, faculty and staff, and community singers.

"All of us, we knew we had to help," Andrews said.

The chorus is collecting and will deliver to California much-needed donations, including:

  • Visa and store gift cards (groceries, supplies, dining, health and wellness care, gas)
  • Clothes (coats, jackets, hats, gloves, t-shirts, sweats, underwear, bras, socks, shoes)
  • Paper goods (toilet paper, Kleenex, forks, spoons, paper plates, paper towels)
  • Baby and child care supplies (diapers, wipes, formula, stuffed animals)
  • Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, pads, tampons)
  • Towels and bedding (pillows, sleeping bags, blankets, sheets)
  • Pet care supplies (beds, leashes, food, bowls, litter)

Donations are accepted Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at:

  • St. John's Presbyterian Church, 1070 W. Plumb Lane
  • University of Nevada, Reno Music Department, 1664 N. Virginia St. (Virginia Street Gym, second floor, room 100)

Concert-goers can also bring donations to the event, which features the University Symphonic Chorus, Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. The groups are led by Torkelson and Reuben Roberts and accompanied by Patricia Gardner.