Welcome to Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra’s 27th concert season, “Tehachapi Tributes!” At this historic moment, we salute the TSO’s founding board president Gayel Pitchford, who retires after 26 years. I’ve been honored to work with Gayel for most of her tenure, having accepted appointment as Music Director in the orchestra’s second season. Together—with the help of hundreds of musicians, board members, and community supporters—we built the TSO from a small local ensemble into a full symphony orchestra that serves the Tehachapi community and connects it to the world.

Gayel helped define the orchestra ‘s noble mission to produce free concerts, ensuring that all Tehachapi citizens, regardless of income, may experience the joy of hearing orchestral masterworks performed live. To make this ambitious enterprise possible, she spearheaded fundraising to pay orchestra expenses. Then she helped establish free live-streamed concerts that broadcast TSO’s joyous harmonies to its growing worldwide audience.

Under Gayel’s leadership, the TSO:

• Founded its Young Artist Competition, providing scholarships and solo performance opportunities for Kern County’s emerging musicians.

• Commissioned world premieres of works by composers Richard Green, David Stern, and Charles Fernandez.

• Engaged world-class soloists, including Jana Jae, Christopher Parkening, Nona Pyron, Dmitry Rachmanov, Jason Stoll, Lorenz Gamma, Mischa Lefkowitz, David Garrett, and others.

• Produced grant-funded TSO concerts in Kern County’s underserved communities. Performed its Hollywood Bowl debut in the Miramax film Carolina.

• Earned the League of League Orchestra’s Community Engagement Award.

Since Gayel also departs as TSO’s first and only concertmaster, I’m delighted to welcome our new concertmaster Elizabeth Fewtrell, TSO’s assistant concertmaster for the past several years. Wendy Clare returns to the assistant concertmaster chair, having filled that position for several years prior to Elizabeth’s tenure. These two virtuosos open our season with a performance of J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins—a fitting tribute to their former stand partner and section leader, Gayel Pitchford.

Farewell, Captain Gayel. Best wishes from your faithful crew. We built a great vessel under your leadership. Thanks to you, we sail on and keep you in our hearts forever. Godspeed on your next journey!