2015/2016
Season Sponsor
Progress in Lending
 Fairfield County Children's Choir POB 110588 Trumbull, CT 06611 203.414.4292 SingFCCC.org |
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From the Music Director
The holiday season is upon us and in the music world that means concerts! December also brings the final month of the officially proclaimed "Year of the FCCC," (by Fairfield's First Selectman, Michael Tetreau for our twentieth anniversary). We hope you will celebrate with us by attending one or more of the performances listed below.
Smilow Cancer Hospital will be launching a new advertising campaign which will premiere during the tree lighting show on NBC Connecticut on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.
My understanding is that they will use footage and recordings that we made in the fall of 2012. Keep an eye out for the FCCC on TV!
Finally, we continue to mourn the passing of mentor and friend Dorothy Straub in September. This newsletter contains a tribute to Dorothy below, including remembrances and letters. In addition to the many individuals and organizations she served and touched, she was a founding Board member of the FCCC. We were honored to perform at her funeral service and have included comments from that as well.
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We have an outstanding group of seniors in the FCCC this year! It is always interesting to learn about them, their favorite songs and to hear their thoughts about the choir. Congratulations to these talented singers!
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Name: Nicole Violone
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Warde High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Bridge Over Troubled Water
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In Your Own Words
: I am very grateful to have had the privilege of being a part of the Fairfield County Children's Choir since freshman year of high school. It has been an amazing experience and an invaluable program that has enabled me to sing, learn, and bond with so many wonderful choristers and teachers. Through FCCC, I have formed many friendships and learned discipline, patience, and self-confidence. I have also had the pleasure of singing with my two sisters and have enjoyed performing at Carnegie Hall, the Sound Tigers games, and in collaboration with prestigious composers and conductors. I look forward to my senior year, and I am very confident that the skills that I have acquired will serve me well as I am embark on my journey to college and in my future endeavors.
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Name: Eliza Elliot
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Ludlowe High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Sing Me to Heaven
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In Your Own Words: Fairfield County Children's Choir is incomparable to any other experience. I have been able to perform in theaters and concert halls that I never thought possible and I have made some of the greatest friends here. I joined in sixth grade and have not regretted any of my time in FCCC. In fact, 7 years feels like just not enough time! It is such an amazing feeling singing with people who share the same love for music as I do and I looked forward to Monday and Wednesday nights every week. The amazement with which I watch videos or listen to tracks of our choir singing and performing will never be able to be matched. I am so grateful that I joined choir and I know that the passion and talent in this group is something I will never forget.
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Alumni News
Kelvin is a freshman at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a nine-year choral Scholar in the FCCC and an elementary school student of Lisa Bettke and Jon Noyes.
Hello Mr. Noyes!!
I hope you are having a great new school year! I have been reading all of the emails, newsletters, etc. and it looks like FCCC is in for a terrific year!
I am writing this email to say hello and also to update you on all of the exciting things going on at Hopkins! I'm enjoying my classes here; they are all pretty much STEM intensive since I am a Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering major. It's definitely a lot of work compared to high school, but it's manageable!
I am hoping to do a music minor. As of right now, I auditioned and am taking voice lessons at Peabody Conservatory! I go to the campus once a week and receive coaching. I will have a recital at the end of the year in an auditorium at the conservatory!
I also auditioned for six a cappella groups on campus, I received callbacks for five of the groups, and was accepted into three of the groups. I decided to join a group called the Vocal Chords! The group is co-ed and I get to wear cranberry bow ties and suspenders! We had our first performance this past Saturday and I definitely brought the FCCC "Have Fun Being Awesome" mentality to the concert. The group reminds me so much of FCCC because we are such a tight-knit family!
I also was put on a team that helps arrange music for the Vocal Chords. This weekend we worked on arranging "Fight Song" (it's a song that has been played on pop radio stations very frequently, Abby would know it). I am hoping to arrange pieces on my own very soon!
Thank you so much for all of your musical guidance! I am sure that if I hadn't been in FCCC and your tutoring sessions, I definitely would not be in the place that I am right now! Thank you so much!
I hope everything goes well for you, your family, your school and the choir! Tell everyone that I say "Hi! I miss you all!!" Give them my best regards!
Sincerely,
Kelvin Alvarez
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A Tribute To Dorothy Straub
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Dorothy Straub Genualdi: CT music-world legend, remembered (CT Post)
Violist Dorothy A. Straub Genualdi's legacy is that of an extraordinary musician who devoted her career to enriching the lives of thousands upon thousands as an educator and performer.
One of Connecticut's most beloved musicians, Straub (her professional name) died Thursday at her home at St. Mary's-By-the-Sea, in Bridgeport's Black Rock section. She was 74.
A tireless proponent of musical education for the young, she had served as a music educator in the Westport and Fairfield school systems for more than 20 years, a conductor and administrator for the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, and as a past president of the National Association for Music Education. She also arranged, composed and edited instructional pieces for young musicians.
Born in Detroit, Straub received bachelor's and master's degrees in viola/strings from Indiana University in Bloomington, and a sixth year certificate in administration from Fairfield University.
Violist Christopher James Hisey, conductor of the Fairfield-based American Chamber Orchestra and music director of the GBYO, said Monday that he "had the incredible fortune of experiencing Dorothy in many different roles"- including his fourth-grade orchestra teacher. Their musical paths would cross many times over the years, with Hisey eventually becoming the chief of the GBYO in 2008, and Straub serving as his assistant music director from 2008-12. "Dorothy was one of those people who operated on a different energy level than most. She was exceptionally kind, caring and compassionate (while demanding) excellence from all those around her." She "made you want to succeed, and the thought of letting her down was unbearable," Hisey said.
Straub was the widow of Robert S. Genualdi, a noted bassist, teacher and former music director of the GBYO. Genualdi died on March 14. Together, they were among the state's most dynamic musical couples and co-directors of the Barnum Festival's Jenny Lind Competition/Concert for young American sopranos.
Kathleen Maher, executive director/curator of the Barnum Museum, worked with the couple on several Jenny Lind events. "Dorothy's love for music shined in her eyes," Maher recalled. "It truly was her lifelong passion to bring beautiful music to people and she dedicated her heart and soul to this divine calling. Together with her husband, Bob, they touched countless lives, spreading joy through their work with the symphony or opera, and enlightening so many hearts to the magic of classical music." Both served with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony under the baton of Maestro Gustav Meier (who recently retired). Straub performed with the Greenwich and Bridgeport symphonies from 1970 to 2009. Read More
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20th Anniversary CD
For our 20th Anniversary we produced a high quality double CD. The CD's have arrived and the recording is awesome!! The first disc includes the entire FCCC Spring Concert, including our alumni! The second disc features the Chamber Singers in closed recording sessions at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull (which has superb acoustics!) To order a CD, contact Barbara Peck at [email protected]. $25 per set.
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FCCC Concerts & Events
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Winter Concert
"Ring In the New!"
Sunday, December 6, 2015 - 3 pm
Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT
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After last season's theme, "The Best of the FCCC," for which we brought back so many favorite selections from our previous nineteen years, our theme for the 2015 Winter Concert is "Ring In the New!" All of the selections on this program will be brand new to the FCCC, excepting our traditional performance of Angels We Have Heard on High. Some of the new highlights include The Little Drummer Boy, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Christmas Time is Here from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Somewhere in My Memory from Home Alone, Walking in the Air, and a new setting of Esa Einai by Shlomo Carlebach, arranged by Jon Noyes. Finally we will ring in the New Year with a beautiful arrangement of Auld Lang Syne. Join us for this festive program! Tickets may be purchased at the Klein's box office, online at theklein.org, or by calling 800-424-0160.
Music For Youth - Young Person's Concerts
FCCC Chamber Singers in Concert!
Saturday, December 12, 2015 2:00 pm
St.Thomas Aquinas Church
1719 Post Road, Fairfield
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This one hour concert featuring the FCCC Chamber Singers promises to be a highlight of choral music during the holiday season. From classical and holiday to Gospel and popular selections, the range and quality of these fine singers in the beautiful acoustics of St. Thomas Church is not to be missed! Free Admission - musicforyouth.net
Various FCCC choirs will be caroling on December 14, 16 & 21
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Broadway Concert & Auction
"Brilliantly Broadway!"
Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 7 pm
Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT
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Our annual Broadway review will include a cornerstone of American musical theater, West Side Story, and three more recent favorites from Hairspray, Matilda and Newsies. In addition to rousing choruses, our amazing student soloists will step into the spotlight to add their unique interpretations of the songs we all love. The fantastic FCCC orchestra will join us on stage and add its own pizzazz to this not-to-be-missed evening of story and song!
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Spring Concert
"The Spirit of Spring"
Saturday, May 7, 2016 - 7 pm
Quick Center for the Arts - Fairfield U, Fairfield, CT
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Our Spring Concert will feature the music of, and an appearance by, our Special Guest, Dr. Rollo Dilworth. The highlight will be the world premiere performance of a new spiritual in a Gospel style commissioned by the FCCC. Other selections by Dr. Dilworth will include Shine On Me, Great Camp Meeting and many others. A second theme will focus on folk music arrangements. Finally, with our Chamber Singers traveling to New Orleans in June, 2016 you are sure to hear The Saints Go Marching In and other great jazz standards.
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Support the Choir
  A contribution to the Fairfield County Children's Choir is an investment in the future! We train outstanding young
performers and help them to grow - both as musicians and as responsible, caring young adults. Your support makes it possible for us to bring our world-class choir experience to musically talented children, many of whom receive tuition assistance. Your gift is tax deductible and we gratefully thank you for your generosity.
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FCCC Concert Calendar 2015-2016
(CS-Chamber Singers; CC-Concert Choir; CH-Chorale; Ch-Chorus)
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2015
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Dec 6
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Winter Concert -
Ring in the New - Klein Memorial Auditorium - 3:00 pm
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Dec 11 & 13
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New Paradigm Theater at FTC - (Ch)
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Dec 12
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Music For Youth Concert - St. Thomas Church, Fairfield - 2:00 pm (CS)
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Dec 14,16, & 21
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Caroling
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Feb 6
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Broadway Concert & Auction -
Brilliantly Broadway - Klein Memorial
Auditorium - 7:00 pm
(West Side Story, Matilda, Newsies, Hairspray)
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April TBD
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Fairfield Holocaust Commemoration - 7:30 pm - Fairfield (CS)
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May 7
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Spring Concert - The Spirit of Spring - Fairfield U, Quick Center - 7:00 pm
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May 21
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La Boheme with Norwalk Symphony & Jonathan Yates (CS & CC)
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June 12
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First Church Congregational Music Series - 4:00 pm (CS)
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June 24 - 28
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Summer Tour - New Orleans (CS)
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