Borrego Springs Community Concert Association's Youth Concerts

Celebrating another year of exceptional performances while bringing free concerts to local school children.

When the future of the Community Concert Association was uncertain, Bill Wright inspired a path forward through growth, volunteers and community support. As the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association announces its new season, it is worth remembering the people who helped keep this tradition alive. Founded in 1975, the all-volunteer nonprofit brings high-quality, eclectic music to Borrego Springs. Each season includes five public concerts and four free educational concerts for local students. Children are bused to the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center to experience professional live music, and musicians also visit local schools for interactive programs that introduce students to music up close. That tradition almost came to an end. When the Association had fallen on hard times (2015) and was preparing to disband, Bill Wright stepped forward. By reaching out to his many business associates, Bill raised enough money to help save the organization and keep professional musicians coming to the Borrego stage. Among his written correspondence with the board, Bill Wright repeatedly advocated for “growth, not reduction,” encouraged members to “recruit new volunteers” and “develop sponsorship opportunities,” and closed one letter with a promise that captured his commitment: “We will do more than our share to keep the great music series going.”

BSCCA Brings Music to Community and Students The Marcia Forman Band performed a free community concert on Sunday, April 12, at the Borrego Springs Library, followed by an interactive concert for local students on Monday morning. The Sunday performance provided open access to live music for the community, while the Monday program brought musicians directly into a school setting, where students experienced a more hands-on and educational presentation. Student concerts are a core part of what the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association (BSCCA) provides each season. In addition to public performances, the organization coordinates programs that introduce students to live music, instruments, and different styles in a structured environment. Founded in 1975, BSCCA is an all-volunteer nonprofit that produces concerts for the community while also supporting music education for local youth. The elementary school concert reflected that mission in action, connecting Borrego Springs students with professional musicians and live performance. Elizabeth Renner and Jinny Perrin, both retired music teachers and BSCCA board members, help guide the student programs by bringing hands-on music education and experience directly to local students. The weekend highlighted both sides of BSCCA’s work: expanding access to live music locally and creating meaningful exposure to the arts for the next generation.

BSCCA 50th anniversary celebration at BSPAC with the Waddington Brothers Borrego Springs Community Concert Association (BSCCA) celebrated 50 years of live concerts on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. The evening began at 6:00 PM with cake and sparkling cider, then the theater filled for the 7:00 PM concert by the Waddington Brothers. Earlier the same day, the group also performed a student concert at BSPAC for Borrego Springs High School.

Waddington Brothers at BSPAC Borrego Springs High School students spent part of the school day at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC) for a live performance by the Waddington Brothers. This Borrego Springs Community Concert Association student concert paired a professional theater experience with a clear educational message about discipline, entrepreneurship, and creative careers. Students did not just hear music. They experienced live acoustic instruments in a real theater, watched professional musicians interact on stage, and listened as the band spoke honestly about building a life in music. A Theater Experience During School Hours For many students, walking into BSPAC during the school day shifts learning into a different space. They are not watching a video or listening through headphones. They are hearing sound resonate in the room and seeing how musicians communicate without a script. As the band shared, “Music is a huge part of our life. But ultimately, it’s communication.” They encouraged students to “listen with intent,” explaining that sitting down and truly listening to music can be revealing. That message reframed the concert as more than entertainment. It became an exercise in focus and engagement. About the Waddington Brothers The Waddington Brothers are four siblings from rural North Dakota, a region better known for ranch country than bluegrass scenes. Their sound blends traditional bluegrass with western cowboy influences reminiscent of The Sons of the Pioneers. They have played together all their lives and launched the band professionally in 2019. The lineup includes: Seth on guitar and lead vocals Ethan on banjo Jacob on mandolin Job on bass In 2023, they earned first place at the SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Competition in Nashville, gaining national attention. They have since signed with the Live on Stage agency in Nashville and are touring more extensively across the United States. During the concert, they explained that there are “a lot of different ways to make music,” describing touring, recording sessions, commercial work, and side businesses that help support a music career. “You have to find a market that you fit in,” they told students, emphasizing persistence and adaptability. What Students Learned  Between songs, the Waddington Brothers explained what it takes to work as professional musicians. They talked about long travel days, the cost of touring, and why many musicians also do other work so they can keep playing and keep improving. Their takeaway for students was straightforward: building skill takes practice and consistency, and creative careers still require planning, reliability, and strong work habits.