Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

Articles written by Gayel Pitchford


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  • Tehachapi Strings, Junior Orchestras to perform, Jan. 19

    Gayel Pitchford, contributing writer|Jan 20, 2024

    The Tehachapi Strings Orchestra, under the direction of Gayel Pitchford, will perform its winter concert on Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Tehachapi Valley United Methodist Church on Schout Road (across the street from Country Oaks Baptist Church) in Tehachapi. Strings Orchestra will perform "Helter-Skelter" by Robert D. McCashin, "Hoe Down" from Rodeo by Aaron Copland, and "Rio de Fuego" by Frank J. Halferty. Junior Orchestra will perform "March Royal" by Elliot Del Borgo, "Rondo-Valse" by Muzio...

  • 46th Annual Fiddlin' Down the Tracks, Sept. 23

    Gayel Pitchford, contributing writer|Sep 2, 2023

    The 46th annual "Fiddlin' Down the Tracks" Old Time Fiddle Contest, put on by District 3 of the California State Old Time Fiddlers Association, will take place in Tehachapi on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Country Oaks Baptist Church, 20915 Schout Road. (The hall has great acoustics, comfy seating and air conditioning!) This year's contest is being held in honor of Fiddler Carl Parnell, who is a well-known San Joaquin Valley fiddler. Tehachapi locals may know him, as he has competed here in the...

  • Tehachapi Strings and Junior Orchestras to perform, April 21

    Gayel Pitchford, contributing writer|Apr 15, 2023

    The Tehachapi Strings Orchestra, under the direction of Gayel Pitchford, will perform its spring concert, “Many Takes on Music,” on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at Tehachapi Valley United Methodist Church on Schout Rd., (across the street from Country Oaks Baptist Church) in Tehachapi. Strings Orchestra will perform “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Mussorgsky, “Ghosts of the Brandenburg” by Richard Meyer and “Carmen Suite No. 2” by Bizet. Junior Orchestra will perform “Three Rounds,” “Nocturne,” “We Plow the Fields,” “Rural Dance” and “Polonais...

  • Carols & Candlelight on Christmas Eve

    Gayel Pitchford, TVUMC Minister of Music|Dec 17, 2022

    Tehachapi Valley United Methodist Church will present its annual Carols & Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at the Methodist Church on Schout Rd. (across from Country Oaks Baptist). This is a great opportunity to escape for awhile from the presents and the food, and enjoy fellowship around the true meaning of Christmas. The service will include scripture reading and the singing of carols by candlelight. Come join us as we lift our voices and celebrate the birth of...

  • Fiddlin' Down the Tracks is back

    Gayel Pitchford, District 3 President|Sep 11, 2021

    The 44th annual "Fiddlin' Down the Tracks" Old Time Fiddle Contest takes place in Tehachapi on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17 and 18, at Country Oaks Baptist Church, 20915 Schout Road, Tehachapi. This year the contest is being held in memory of Matthew Rails, one of District 3's fine young fiddlers who passed away recently, shortly before his 21st birthday. There will be a story board commemorating Matthew's life and a tribute fiddle division in his memory, with a trophy for the best rendition...

  • Fiddlin' Down the Tracks is back

    Gayel Pitchford, District 3 President|Aug 28, 2021

    The 44th annual "Fiddlin' Down the Tracks" Old Time Fiddle Contest takes place in Tehachapi on Friday and Saturday, September 17 and 18, at Country Oaks Baptist Church, 20915 Schout Road, Tehachapi. This year the contest is being held in memory of Matthew Rails, one of District 3's fine young fiddlers who passed away recently, shortly before his 21st birthday. There will be a story board commemorating Matthew's life and a tribute fiddle division in his memory, with a trophy for the best...

  • Fiddler B.J. Zheng wins Howdy Forrester Scholarship

    Gayel Pitchford, State Director, Dist. 3, contributing writer|Dec 19, 2020

    On December 11, District 3's 14th annual Howdy Forrester Scholarship was awarded to Tehachapi fiddler B. J. Zheng. The award consists of a $1,000 scholarship and a plaque. The winner's name is also inscribed on the perpetual plaque which is exhibited at the fiddle contest each year. The award goes to the fiddler who best embodies the spirit of Big Howdy Forrester and is funded by Howdy's son, Bob, who lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area. District 3 started the scholarship in 2007, in...