The Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra is looking for a few talented musicians to join one of the most unique symphony orchestras in the United States. The TSO is an award-winning orchestra that has been performing in the Greater Tehachapi area, surrounding communities and throughout the county since 1998.
Led by Music Director Dr. David Newby, the TSO performs five to six concerts per year featuring a diverse range of professional music. The concerts are not only free to the public, but also streamed live to an online audience.
The TSO is proud of a unique and innovative heritage spanning the last quarter century. The TSO performed seven original orchestrations in world premieres and hosted several composition competitions to showcase California composers. Each year, the TSO sponsors a Young Artist Competition, offering a talented young musician from Kern County a $500 scholarship and a chance to perform solo with the orchestra.
The TSO performed at the Hollywood Bowl for Miramax’s production of “Carolina” starring Shirley MacLaine, Julia Stiles, Allesandro Nivolo and Randy Quaid. The TSO also brought music to towns without their own orchestra, performing concerts in communities such as Rosamond, California City, Delano and Taft.
Recognizing the value of music for the vitality of the soul, the TSO was also one of the first orchestras in the country to resume performances during the 2020 pandemic. After only two canceled concerts, the TSO worked to return to some sense of normalcy and bring some joy to the community, while respecting health rules by masking, distancing and performing outdoors and in front of a live audience. For all of these efforts, the American Symphony Orchestra League awarded the TSO its prestigious “Excellence in Community Engagement” award.
Now as the TSO enters its 27th season, there is an opportunity for new musicians who have a passion for orchestra, a love of community, and a love of the unconventional to lend their talents. The TSO is specifically looking for musicians performing second trumpet, tuba, first oboe, percussion, harp and strings.
Rehearsals take place Tuesday evenings in downtown Tehachapi. For more information or to schedule an audition, visit tehachapiorchestra.com or call concert master Gayel Pitchford at 661-823-8249. Participate in preserving this heritage for the next quarter of a century!
Emily Hamilton is Director of Administration for the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra.