No strings attached

The hills could soon be alive with the sound of more music. The Bayfield-based BeFRANK Foundation (which incidentally stands for “For the Recreation Artistic Needs of Kids”), received a gift of six cellos and nine bows valued at more than $10,000.

The instruments were a gift from the estate of Margaret Kathleen Noble, of Longmont. Noble was an international cellist and upon her death, bequeathed the instruments to Robertson & Sons Violins in Albuquerque. The store, in turn, suggested the Noble family gift the cellos instead to the nonprofit BeFRANK. The owner of the store, Don Robertson, has gifted close to $100,000 worth of instruments to BeFRANK over the years.

Established in 2013, the BeFRANK Foundation provides musical support and instruction to schools in Bayfield, Durango, Ignacio and Cortez. Last year, it served 425 students with 15 instructors and an inventory of 523 classical stringed instruments. The BeFRANK foundation believes no child should go without access to musical instruments or instruction, and scholarships are available.

BeFRANK was founded by Lech Usinowicz, who serves as its executive director. In addition to this, he is also the orchestra teacher for the Bayfield Middle and High schools and director of the San Juan Youth Symphony Orchestra and Durango Chamber Music Academy.