Tehachapi News

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Violinist Robert Adams is one of the pioneers of the Tehachapi musical community. When he arrived here in 1982, he joined Mountain Music’s Deborah Hand and a number of other local musicians in a group that performed Christmas concerts at the Bear Valley Springs Country Club, Wells School, The Apple Shed, and other venues. Adams even remembers playing for the inmates during a lunch break at CCI.

The group built momentum, a conductor was hired, and eventually, under the leadership of Hand and Concertmaster Gayel Pitchford, the Tehachapi Community Orchestra Board was formed. Adams gives particular credit to Pitchford’s administrative skills and her extraordinary capacity for hard work.

“Whether it’s sports or music, it’s never easy at first. It takes stick-to-it-iveness, time, and effort to create something worthwhile.” Adams attributes the continuing success of the Orchestra not just to its volunteer musicians but also to the members of the TCO Board: “It takes people with a mission, a commitment. It’s people who are dedicated who keep the Orchestra going.”

Adams comes from a musical family. In fact, he still uses his grandfather’s violin. “Music has always been a part of me.” His mother’s passion for things musical was a guiding force in the family’s life. Adams began playing the violin before he was four. His sister Beth, who used to accompany him on piano at their local church, majored in pipe organ at USC and now plays professionally at a large church in San Pedro.

Adams attended Pepperdine University on a full music scholarship, touring several states with the school choir. Upon graduation, he ventured into teaching, starting at the elementary level and working his way up to high school as he moved from his first assignment in Watts to the Owens Valley and Lone Pine and finally, Tehachapi, where he taught ESL at CCI. He even married into the educational world: Donna, his wife of thirty years, is Secretary for Golden Hills Elementary.

Robert has just retired from teaching after twenty-five years at CCI. In addition to his work with the Orchestra, he finds time to work in the all all-volunteer Kern County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. “I’ve gotten a lot of enjoyment from the things I’ve been doing. It’s been rewarding, and I’m going to keep at it.” Fans of the Orchestra and the citizenry of the entire Tehachapi area are grateful for the dedication of people like Robert Adams.

We will see Adams and all of the committed volunteers who comprise the Orchestra on Friday evening, December 8th, at 10:00 p.m. at St. Malachy’s Church. The Orchestra’s traditional Christmas concert will feature George Frederick Handel’s “Messiah.” Please join Adams and the rest of us in this celebration of the Christmas season.