Desert Community Orchestra

About the DCO

The Desert Community Orchestra was formed in 1960 and has been an iconic part of the community of Ridgecrest, California ever since. Its mission is to provide live performances of orchestral music to the local region, provide local musicians an opportunity to perform and participate as soloists, and encourage young talented musicians to further their musical education with financial support through music scholarships.

 Every spring young musicians are invited to audition for the Peter Pinto Music Scholarship Award. The DCO also annually sponsors The Young Artist Competition. Student musicians audition for the privilege of being accompanied in performance with the full orchestra. The orchestra has featured musicians as young as 12 years old in their annual “Touch of Class” concert.

 DCO has hosted international guest soloists over the years. The list of celebrities includes Alan Paul of Manhattan Transfer, Camilla Arnold, Terry Glenny, Diva Jones, Gerardo Tamez, Sherri Stark, Lawrence Spector, Bethany Grace Folsom, and The Neave Trio.

Robert Martinez held a 29-year long conducting role with the orchestra from 1995 - 2024. Mark Hatter brought energy and flair to the September 2024 Pops Concert, while Caleb Yanez Glickman led the festive December 2024 Christmas in Ridgecrest performance. David Newby took the podium for the March 2025 Winter Concert, and Emmanuel Rojas was our featured conductor for the inspiring Young Artist Concert in May 2024.

Meet the Musician

Read the Daily Independent interviews with current and former members of the orchestra: Robby Martinez, Lydia Washburn, Amber Petersen, Amanda Elfrink, Bianca Samaniego, Andrew Richards, Brandon Burkhardt, Clare A. Hatter, Lisa Austin, and Heidi Miller-Costanzo.

Our Next Conductor for Christmas In Ridgecrest Saturday December 6, 2025

Amy McGuire

Amy McGuire retired from public education in 2020, after 40 years in education. She is still actively involved in the musical community as adjunct lecturer at CSUB and as President of many non-profit organizations including the Bakersfield Youth Symphony, Bakersfield Community Concerts Association, CalASTA, (the Bakersfield Section of American String Teachers Association) and the Bakersfield Symphony.

Amy string coaches for the Bakersfield Youth Symphony, CSUB, Bakersfield College, the Kern High School District, and also teaches privately.

Amy enjoys adjudicating and guest conducting as time permits. She has guest conducted across the state in Fresno, Madera, San Bernardino, Visalia, Bakersfield and now Ridgecrest.

Amy is honored to be working with the DCO. She has enjoyed the camaraderie, community, and generosity of these fine musicians. She states, "Making music creates a powerful connection between the musicians and audience, but it also nourishes us in rehearsal along the way. It has been a privilege to work with these wonderful DCO musicians."