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 has brought energy and flair to the September Pops Concerts, while Caleb Yanez Glickman and Amy McGuire have led the festive December ‘Christmas in Ridgecrest’ performances. David Newby was at the podium for the March 2024 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.

Young Artist Concert 2026 Conductor Saturday may 9, 2026

dr. david newby

‍ ‍Conducting the Young Artist Concert will be Dr. David Newby from Bakersfield, California. Dr. Newby has directed orchestras and choirs in Asia, Europe, and across the U.S. He presently is professor of music at Antelope Valley College, where he serves as Artistic Director of the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale.

Dr. Newby is also in his 26th season as Music Director of the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra, Newby leads the TSO in a season of five free concerts that are live streamed to a growing audience. Under his direction, the TSO earned the American Symphony Orchestra League MetLife Award for Excellence in Community Engagement. The TSO has commissioned and performed several world premiere performances, appeared at the Hollywood Bowl in the Miramax film Carolina, and performed several grant-funded outreach concerts throughout Kern County.