KERN COUNTY MUSICAL ASSOCIATION DBA Bakersfield Community Concert Association

Bakersfield Community Concert Association (BCCA) presents a yearly series of programs featuring distinctive professional performers. We are an all-volunteer organization. Founded in 1920, BCCA has always been self-sustaining through its subscribers' fees. 

We arrange for professional artists to perform and teach the students of Kern County. As an example, several hundred students in Bakersfield City School District schools were treated to performances by Dr. Alfredo Rolando Ortiz. With his unique personal stories and rhythmic playing on his South American Harp, the children were mesmerized. In e-mails from school principals one wrote, "The students couldn't stop talking about it (the performance) and now they all want to play the harp!" Another wrote, "...and students were captivated by Dr. Ortiz's storytelling and playing of the harp." And a third commented, "He held the audience's attention with his storytelling and blend of history and music." Third grade classes at Williams, Frank West, Roosevelt, Harding and Jefferson Elementary Schools were involved as well as First through Third grades at the Downtown School.

With these student outreaches, we hope to instill a love of music in students. 

We have received letters from the various teachers telling us how much the students enjoyed the outreaches.

In addition to the student outreaches, we have students from various schools perform before each of our eight concerts. Their school is then given an honorarium of $350 to help their arts programs. Recipient student groups include: BHS Chamber Singers, Earl Warren Junior High, East Bakersfield High Chamber Singers, Stonecreek Junior High, Mt. Vernon Magnet Show Choir, CSUB Singers, Earl Warren Orchestra, Curran Middle School, Centennial High School Orchestra, Tevis Junior High School Chorus, Taft High School Jazz Band, Bakersfield Youth Symphony.

Our program allows the students to gain experience performing before an audience. It allows the students to see that music is still appreciated. They are also encouraged to stay and attend the community concert and learn more about the arts.

We have received letters from the various teachers telling us how much the students enjoyed performing for us.

Many of the schools write to tell how much the students enjoyed doing the concerts and how the schools will benefit from the honorariums.