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A lone American flag quietly waved over the Coy Burnett Football Field as a breezy afternoon set the stage for a spectacular July Fourth Concert in Tehachapi. This flag, previously flown at America's Capital, honors World War II veteran, Jack Young, and  was presented to his family at his memorial in Aline, Oklahoma.  It had special significance during the recent July 4th concert for Carol White, his daughter, grandson Joey White and six great grandchildren, all Tehachapi residents, who were in attendance. The joyful atmosphere shared by hundreds of families, couples, and friends made the concert seem like one huge community reunion. 

     The music for the event was just as varied and spectacular as the fireworks display that followed it! Beginning in the late afternoon, everyone relaxed and enjoyed the music of Will James and Maria and Mountain Music's Patriotic Sing-Along. As the sun began to set and early evening stole across the sky, a field of voices joined in singing the Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by the Tehachapi Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr.David Newby. The performance of the orchestra's Armed Forces Salute echoed everyone's pride in America's best. The Tehachapi Symphonic Chorus, 20 voices strong, under the direction of Kathy Kelly, followed with the inspiring medley, Thankful To Be An American. The orchestra performed several stirring classical pieces from the Russian Polovtsian March to the the French Carmen Suite No. 1. The chorus also presented tongue tripping Gilbert and Sullivan operetta tunes to everyone's delight.

      Raffle tickets and July 4th souvenirs were sold during the intermission by the orchestra's Supporting Notes led by Frangel and Tere Cannizzaro and their family. After intermission, young James Solum, guest conductor for the evening, didn't miss a beat as he lead the orchestra in Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever.  Congratulations went to Michael Kemp of Tehachapi who held the winning raffle ticket for the Yamaha guitar and case. 

      As twilight came, the orchestra performed smooth renditions of Rogers & Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song to South of the Border syncopations to the familiar sounds of the Big Bands. The professional quality of the music made one wish it were all recorded to take home! As a  long round of applause went out at the orchestra's finale, the stars in the night sky made a  backdrop for the fireworks display presented by the City of Tehachapi. In the twilight, to see the simple grandeur of that special stars and stripes still waving there over the field with "bombs bursting in air" struck a memory not soon to be forgotten.

      The orchestra will be back in November with its first concert of the the 2008-2009 season, beginning its eleventh consecutive year of enriching Tehachapi with cultural beauty. All concerts are free of charge and support for the orchestra is always gratefully welcome. Whether in the form of active volunteerism or through cash donations, the community is helping to keep great music alive in Tehachapi. More information can be found at www.tehachapiorchestra.com or by phoning 822-5607.