‘World-class’ conductor to perform for graduating seniors outside Las Cruces restaurant

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- With New Mexico State University students graduating virtually on Saturday and high school seniors graduating next week, a very usual graduation ceremony is happening in Las Cruces this weekend.

Even though they won’t be walk across the stage to "pomp and circumstance," they can drive by while a classical trained conductor plays it for them.

Maestro of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, Lonnie Klein, will "conduct" the iconic graduation song for the Class of 2020, in full tuxedo.

He and the owner of Lorenzo's Italian restaurant, Vince Vaccaro, came up with the idea to celebrate graduates in a special way: Inviting them pull up to the restaurant's parking lot off University Avenue on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"You can drive by wave honk the horn," Vaccaro said. “He’s a world class conductor, we’ve got him right there, right behind Lorenzos."

Klein and Vaccaro don't just want to help up the Class of 2020. They want to help the entire Las Cruces community.

Anyone who plans on attending is being asked to bring a food or monetary donation that will be donated to a local pantry.

Lorenzo's is located on 1753 East University Avenue.