Crystal Lake family donates late son's cello to Larkin High music program
Ben Alexander was known for his love for music and his generous nature.
They were his two passions that parents Patrice and Greg Alexander of Crystal Lake wanted to honor after his death.
The Alexanders donated their late son's cello Thursday to the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School in Elgin.
"He was a very giving person and music touched his life in a positive way," Greg Alexander said. "I can't think of a better way to honor his memory."
"We wanted it to touch someone else's life," Patrice chimed in.
Greg Alexander shared stories about his son's determination to learn his craft and urged Larkin students to pursue their musical passions similarly and not give up easily.
A 2002 graduate of Crystal Lake Central High School, Ben died two months ago at 33. He spent his youth playing the cello with the McHenry County Youth Orchestra, and was involved with the chamber music program at Harper College in Palatine during his last years of high school.
While in the youth orchestra, Alexander studied under Matthew Agnew, the former MCYO orchestra manager and now principal cellist for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
Agnew helped arrange the donation of Alexander's cello to Larkin because of the orchestra's involvement with the school's music program, which allows students to receive private instruction through grant funding.
"I remember him (being) thoughtful and kind," Agnew said of his former student before performing two movements of a Bach cello suite in Alexander's honor before a gathering of music students and staff members in Larkin's auditorium.
The school's nine principal cellists in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy's Symphony and Academy orchestras will begin using Alexander's cello starting Friday, as well as for their senior recital practice and performances, said Ruth Cavanaugh, academy music instructor.
"I am so grateful for this donation because it's supporting students in achieving their greatest potential as musicians," she said. "This is a unique experience for us. We are talking about how we can allow each senior time to acclimate to the instrument."