TPops Orchestra

Fourth of July is not just hotdogs and fireworks, but Sousa marches, patriotic songs and the 1812 Overture. While the fireworks will happen later in the evening, all the rest may be found at the City's Hot Dog Festival when TPOPS (Tehachapi POPS Orchestra) takes the stage at 2 p.m. in Philip Marx Central Park.

The orchestra is conducted by Daniel Musquez, one of the fine young band directors in the Bakersfield School District. In its eight-year history, TPOPS has played for many major Tehachapi events, including the Mountain Festival, the City of Tehachapi's Centennial Celebration, Concerts in the Park, the Monolith Mural Dedication, and for the Air Force Flight Test Center's 64th Birthday Gala, to name a few. Besides the 4th of July concert, other annual performances include the BVS Cultural Arts Christmas Gala at the Whiting Center, and the Halloween "Bookay" concert in conjunction with the Tehachapi Community Theatre. The next concert will be July 17th at Cub Lake in Bear Valley.

TPOPS is comprised of amateur and professional musicians from Tehachapi, as well as Bakersfield and the AntelopeValley. All the players volunteer their time and talents, and funding comes from grants and donations.

Because the Tehachapi schools do not have orchestras, for many students, TPOPS is their "first orchestra." Others in the community are returning to music after many years spent in careers or raising families. The orchestra plays at about a high school level. The goal for TPOPS is to have fun through sharing music, and to contribute to the community by providing music at special functions, such as 4th of July. The orchestra welcomes new members at any time. Rehearsals are Monday nights at Grace Fellowship,starting at 6:30 p.m., but TPOPS will be on vacation from mid-July to mid- September. For more information, call Mountain Music, (661) 823-9994. and leave your name and number.