Tehachapi News

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What is a typical day in the life of Tehachapi High School Sophomore Bryn Rosander?

"I go to school, attend ballet lessons twice a week and practice my violin almost everyday. I attend youth group and Bible study with the Bear Valley Youth Group and complete my homework for the day."

Quite an active schedule for someone fifteen years young, in addition to weekly community orchestra practice and violin lessons.

Her dedication to this daily round of activities has paid off, as Bryn Rosander looks forward to being the featured soloist performing the first movement of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 with the orchestra in May. Through its annual Young Artist Competition, the Tehachapi Community Orchestra offers a $500 scholarship to a promising young Kern County musician between the age of 14 and 22. Bryn will be awarded this cash prize at the May 11 concert and she will tuck it away toward her college dream of attending Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Bryn's goal is to major in liberal arts to be an elementary school teacher and to minor in music.

Bryn, the daughter of Christy and Dan Rosander, of Tehachapi, has had the support of her entire family throughout all of her musical endeavors. Having had instruction in violin for the past five years under the orchestra's first chair, Gayel Pitchford, Bryn is already a seasoned performer. She has played for two seasons with the Tehachapi Community Orchestra; two years with the Kern County High School Honors Orchestra; the Adult Praise Band at Bear Valley Church; with the Tehachapi Junior Orchestra, and with  the Roseburg Quintet on special occasions.

Her awards range from the genre of old time fiddling to recital awards of "Sweetest Tone, Best Quality Practice, and Best Intonation."

A young lady of many talents, Bryn has also studied classical ballet for ten years with the Tehachapi Dance Studio, and Joy Handy, dance specialist.

The upcoming concert will feature Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 and Mendelssohn's Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream in E Major, Op.21 in addition to the Young Artist's performance. The program will be held on May 11, 4 p.m. at County Oaks Baptist Church, 20915 Schout Road, in Tehachapi. As always, the presentation is free of charge with donations deeply appreciated to further the work of the orchestra.

Also, the annual Spring Raffle Prizes will be given away at the May concert.
Grand Prize is $1,000 and tickets are now available at $5 each from Mountain Music, The Apple Shed, or any Tehachapi Community Orchestra or Symphonic Chorus member. Please phone Gayel Pitchford at 821-7511 for more information. The orchestra is enjoying its tenth season of free concerts in Tehachapi due in a large part to the contributing efforts of area residents. Anyone who is interested in helping the orchestra behind the scenes by becoming a "Supporting Note" is welcome to join the orchestra family and to sign up during the post-concert reception.

Tehachapi is known as the land naturally flowing with water and acorns. Because of the presence of the Tehachapi Community Orchestra, it is fast becoming known as the land flowing with music. Its most promising natural resource, American youth, is sure to inspire the audience on May 11, as the orchestra accompanies the beautiful talent of Bryn Rosander.