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. Dr. David Newby and Andrew Loveland has been at the podium for the March 2024 and 2025 Winter Concerts, and Emmanuel Rojas was our featured conductor for the inspiring Young Artist Concert in May 2024, as well as Dr. David Newby for the Young Artist Concert in May 2025.

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.

Pops Concert 2026 Conductor

Pieces About Places Saturday September 26, 2026

Mark Hatter

‍ ‍Mark Hatter brings a lifetime of musical experience and more than 30 years of teaching to the Desert Community Orchestra as conductor of the Fall Pops Concert titled “Pieces About Places”. Mark has taught music for 23 years with the Sierra Sands Unified School District and throughout the Eastern Sierra. He began playing trombone in 1966 through a public school music program in San Diego County and later attended San Diego State University. Mark has conducted numerous orchestras, bands and musicals.

He is especially proud of the opportunity to help bring live music to the Ridgecrest community and looks forward to sharing an entertaining and memorable concert with both the musicians and audience.