LEWISTON — Hiroya Miura, conductor of the Bates College Orchestra and a native of Japan, has designated the orchestra’s Saturday, March 19, concert a fundraiser for a town ravaged by the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The orchestra will perform music by Beethoven and Richard Strauss at 7:30 p.m.  in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall, 75 Russell St. Donations to a relief fund for the coastal town of Yamamoto-cho, 24 miles south of Sendai, will be accepted.

Miura was born and raised in Sendai, near the epicenter of the earthquake, and his parents reside in Yamamoto-cho. The orchestra will dedicate the concert to the memory of those lost in the disaster, and Miura will personally see that audience donations are delivered to the mayor of Yamamoto-cho.

For more information or to reserve seats, call 786-6135 or visit [email protected].

 Donations can also be made online at www.batestickets.com or mailed to:  Support for Japan, Bates College, Olin Arts Center, 75 Russell St., Lewiston, ME 04240