Vol. 20, No. 3 April 2021
From the Music Director
Greetings and Happy Spring! Our 26th season has certainly been unlike any of the previous twenty-five, and we thank everyone involved with the FCCC for your flexibility, resilience and dedication. Although meeting on Zoom meant that we would not experience the very thing that choristers around the world love the most - singing together in harmony - there have been a number of unanticipated “silver linings.”

The act of singing alone at home, where each singer does not have other singers nearby on which to depend, has inspired and propelled the development of more advanced individual vocal skills and part-singing independence. This new ‘solo’ task has required a great deal of individual preparation, energy and effort, and our choristers have risen to the challenge. The conductors have clearly observed this improvement when listening to the individual virtual video submissions. Our choristers are working hard, and the results are clear!
 
Since we have had fewer concerts and less demand to learn large amounts of repertoire, we have been able to spend more time developing music reading skills. Every year we begin with investing time in music reading, but at some point we have to put the majority of our time into preparing the music for our concerts. We have never had this much opportunity to work on literacy skills!
 
The conductors have also noted that each chorister’s stage presence has improved. Through the process of making their individual videos, choristers can see and evaluate themselves in ways they can’t when on a crowded stage.
 
Another by-product of our situation has been the emergence of solo performers and original songwriters! At many rehearsals we have invited our members to perform a solo cover song or original composition. We have always had great soloists who inspire and teach our younger members, and we've frequently performed songs written by our choristers (Hannah Olshansky - How Shall I?; Brooklyn & Kennedy Boehme - New Day; Katherine Waugh - The Caged Bird; Morgan Morse - Blue, etc.), but now we have had more time for sharing and it has been exhilarating! When talented musicians of any age express themselves through their art, it makes a powerful impact on the receptive listener.
 
I did not expect that rehearsing on Zoom would result in stronger individual singers with improved music reading skills and stage presence. This has been an incredible opportunity for each chorister and it bodes well for a strong FCCC next year.
 
As we come to the final weeks of our season, we are preparing for an uplifting Spring Concert on May 15. With songs such as Shine on Me, The Storm Is Passing Over and Count on Me by Bruno Mars, and nearly 300 talented singers, it is sure to raise your spirits high. Please join us!

Jon Noyes
Music Director & Founder
Broadway Our Way Concert - Encore!
As a thank you to everyone who bought a ticket or encouraged others to buy a ticket - we offer this encore to all!


If you only have a few minutes, enjoy one of the virtual choirs!



From the Board President

Music fills the infinite between two souls
-Rabindranth Tagore

As we come to the end of our 26th season, I cannot believe that it has been over a year since the pandemic hit and turned our lives upside down. In last June’s newsletter I wrote, “We are confident that we will see each other in person soon: We Shall Overcome!” I’m truly sorry that we have not been able to see each other in person, but we certainly did Overcome!
 
At the beginning of this season, I worried how, and even if, our choirs would be able to rehearse and perform. But thanks to the ingenuity and dedication of our conductors and staff, we succeeded brilliantly at both. Our conductors worked many extra hours every week to ensure that every rehearsal was engaging and meaningful to our choristers, while our staff worked just as hard to ensure that each rehearsal was glitch-free. Everything had to be created from scratch, and it all worked in the end: we held our virtual Holiday concert in December, our virtual Broadway Show concert followed by our first virtual reception in February, and are currently preparing for our Virtual Spring Concert in May.
 
Part of the FCCC’s mission states that it “helps foster the personal, musical and social growth of each child, promoting self-esteem and self-discipline”.  It is an unbridled pleasure, then, to listen to our seniors’ thoughts about what the FCCC means to them: “FCCC is like a second home to me”; “FCCC has always been a source of constancy in my life”; “ All the things we were taught by Mr. Noyes, our conductors, accompanists, and guest artists, made us want to stand up and do our best work”; “FCCC allowed me to become a musician and a performer while also teaching me about dedication and discipline“. You can clearly hear from these seniors’ voices that FCCC is succeeding in its mission!
 
I’d like to take a moment to explain where your fees go. Registration and tuition cover only half of our operational budget – the remainder comes from donations and concert ticket sales.. If I divide our fees by the number of hours spent rehearsing and performing, I find that the average chorister is paying less than $10/hour for a musical education which is a lot less than what they would pay at other professional music schools. The FCCC is arguably the best educational value that your money can buy in all of Connecticut.
 
Please join the board in continuing to help the FCCC realize its mission, enabling many more children to “participate in a musical experience which is challenging, rewarding and enjoyable” and promoting self-esteem and self-discipline. I said this last year, but I’ll say it again: I look forward to seeing all of you in person soon.
 
Marina Philips
Board President
Calendar
*subject to change







From the Executive Director
Traditionally, concert ticket sales comprise an important revenue source for FCCC. This source, unfortunately, took a hard hit this season due to Covid-19 and our concert's forced virtual nature. We appreciate everyone who purchased a ticket and encouraged their friends and family to purchase a ticket. Your support allowed us to produce concerts that engage and celebrate our chorister's talent, remarkable work, and commitment.

As a nonprofit organization, each dollar we raise through ticket sales, tuition/fees, and donation enables us to pay our outstanding music and business staff and deliver on our promise of low tuition and financial aid to all accepted students. These dollars also allow us to support programs, including our community engagement program, Bridges Through Music, which covers tuition and expenses for under-served and underrepresented children of Fairfield County.  

We thank you for your continued support of Fairfield County Children's Choir during this unprecedented season, you have played a large part in both the present and the choir's future.

Tickets for our May Spring Concert (May 15th @ 7pm) will be on sale soon!

Sarah Duff
Executive Director
Chorister Profiles - 2020/2021 Seniors!

We bid a fond farewell to an outstanding class of graduating seniors. Due to the pandemic, they have been called on for leadership in many new ways. Best wishes to Brooklyn Boehme, Donny DeFala, Samantha Fahey, Maggie Farrell, Matthew Johnston, Sarah Kadlick, Lauren Lakra, Ella Magnuson, Sofie Nangle, John O’Keefe, Sam Peterson, Allie Siclari, and Katie Siclari. They have given so much of their time and talent to our choir! In addition, we congratulate eight of these seniors who will soon receive our Choral Scholar Award. This is given to choristers who have been members of the FCCC for the maximum term of nine years. We are so happy that these seniors ‘found us’ way back in 2012 when they were finishing third grade!! They are Brooklyn Boehme, Samantha Fahey, Maggie Farrell, Matthew Johnston, Ella Magnuson, Sofie Nangle, Allie Siclari and Katie Siclari. It is always interesting to learn about them, their favorite songs and to hear their thoughts about the choir. Below are the final two profiles for this season. Congratulations to these talented singers!
Name: Maggie Farrell
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Warde High School
Town: Fairfield 
Favorite FCCC Song: Bonny Wood Green, Nessun Dorma, Veni Veni Emmanuel, Sing Me To Heaven…(I have more but I'll leave it there.)
 
After years of reading senior profiles and thinking about what to say in my own, I find myself emphasizing the same things most say, as they are all worth the emphasis. Going from learning what the words “do re mi” meant as a little kindergartner in Mr. Noyes’ classroom, to now have grown up surrounded by this insane group, I am speechless. I truly do not believe that there is another group that shares the strong bond created by this group of people. Not a year passes by where someone does not say that it is a family, and this only makes me appreciate this community more. Through this choir I have met some of the best people, people I never would have met without it, people I now call my best friends! Not only will I endlessly praise the community, but also the extensive musical learning opportunities provided constantly. Whether that be a music theory lesson on a Wednesday night, competing in the Golden Gate Festival, or performing at Carnegie Hall! Thank you to FCCC for the very best 9 years, I will be a fan for life!!!!
Name: John O’Keefe
Age: 18
School: Fairfield Prep
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Songbird, Bridge Over Troubled Water
 
I first joined FCCC in my freshman year and looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Over the last four years, I have had so many incredible experiences, whether it be performing at Lincoln Center, touring and performing with some of my closest friends, or just making countless memories with this family. Honestly, there are far too many memories to even write down, each being filled with happiness and joy of their own. Not only have I grown musically through amazing performances with FCCC, but I have met others who also share in this strong passion. I can’t thank Mr. Noyes and all of the conductors enough for their incredible leadership, as I have learned so many important lessons that I know I will always look back on throughout my life. I am going to miss looking forward to rehearsals each week, as they are always the highlight and best part of my day. Yet, even as all of the seniors move on, I know that these experiences and memories will never be forgotten.
Letters
The FCCC concert was a light in the season. It was beautifully done. The opportunity to hear children's voices singing was a true blessing. It touched my soul in the place that is grateful for the things in life that really matter: family, friends, companionship, togetherness (even if not in the traditional way), beauty. That everyone came together in these difficult times to produce a concert with hope and spirit and light was truly wonderful.
 
Thank you.
Andrea Peterson
Choir Parent

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Here is a testament to the foundation that FCCC has provided. Katherine’s collegiate acapella group, Duke Out of the Blue, was included on the recently released 2021 BOCA (Best of Collegiate Acapella) album (available on streaming platforms - Spotify, Apple Music). Katherine was the music director and principal arranger for the group for 2 years. The other cool thing is - Jared Bovine’s group at Vanderbilt University, Harmonic Notion, also has a track on the album! I believe that he was the music director and arranger for his group. What a terrific accomplishment for all involved!
 
Best Regards,
Ellen Waugh
Former Choir Parent

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Congratulations to you all on a fantastic concert. It was wonderful and uplifting in so many ways. The performance of my song was so heartfelt and so beautifully sung. I was thrilled. (I loved watching each singer so close, something you don't get to do at a live concert!) Thank you again for including me. My grandkids were mesmerized! They are moving to Fairfield and Redding in the coming months, they were inspired to audition when they get older! I love the FCCC and their amazing voices, talent and spirit!

Linda Sobo
Composer of One Candle, One Flame from FCCC Winter Concert
 
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My heart is bursting. This is so wonderful & I am so honored to see and hear the children singing my song !!! Absolutely beautiful. Please let the kids know how thrilled I am.
Many thanks and please keep my posted with all of your wonderful work!!! 

Maggie Wheeler
Composer of Let Me Sing For You from FCCC Winter Concert
In Memoriam
David M. Thomas died peacefully with his family by his side on February 3, 2021. He died of complications due to Covid-19. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jarka; his two sons, Pavel, and his partner, Tenny, and Michal, and his wife, Irene; two grandchildren, Lillian and Charlotte; and nieces and nephews. He was an accomplished pianist and organist who devoted his life as an organist and choirmaster in a number of churches in Fairfield County; Trinity Church in Southport, St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan, Holy Cross Church in Fairfield, St. Michael the Archangel Church in Greenwich, and the United Congregational Church in Norwalk.
 
David was a friend of the FCCC. He donated part of his choral music collection to us when he retired. He taught private piano lessons to a number of our choristers. David’s wife, Jarka, a native of the Czech Republic, coached the FCCC Chamber Singers on the pronunciation of Hoj Hura Hoj, one of our favorite pieces.
 
The FCCC sincerely thanks the Thomas family for designating the choir as one of two recipients for memorial contributions in his name. We will dedicate our performance of “I’m Goin’ Up a Yonder” at our Spring Concert to David.
Chorister News
We have been celebrating our students’ musical performances and compositions throughout the year, but we have another type of celebration to share. Two of our students won statewide awards in the “Reflections Contest” run by the Connecticut PTA. Congratulations to Macy Shulman and Samhitha Kunichetty!
Macy Shulman won third place in the Visual Arts category in the state. Last year she won second place for a film which was chosen to be part of a film festival at Yale! Her entry this year was a photo collage for the theme “I Matter Because…” Macy wrote, “I matter because I once didn’t. I had to be strong before I knew what strong was.” Macy is from China. She was adopted and came to the United States when she was 10 months old. 
Samhitha Kunichetty participated in the Creative Writing category. She wrote a piece of literature for the theme. She won First Place in the "Literature" category in her school. As she won first place, her work was entered into the State level "PTA Reflections" contest. There she won First place as well! 
Support FCCC!
Fairfield County Children's Choir is a non-profit organization. Like us, you undoubtedly believe in the power of music to change young lives. We exist because of your generous donations, including these programs:

FCCC's Bridges Through Music: Our community engagement program covers tuition and expenses for under-served and underrepresented children of Fairfield County.

FCCC's Promise of Low Tuition and Financial Aid: We provide extraordinary music education to our children at a cost much lower than the national or state average for comparable choirs. For each of our 26 years, we have provided financial aid to all accepted students in need.

It is through your generous support that we will continue to excel and succeed. A contribution to FCCC is a tax-deductible investment in the future!
Become an FCCC Sponsor!
Contact Sarah Duff, Executive Director
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MUSIC STAFF
Music Director & Founder - Jon Noyes
Chorale Conductor & Accompanist - Lisa Bettke
Concert Choir Conductor - Jacqueline Sugrue-Tait
Chorus Conductor - Ashley Zadravecz
Accompanist - Yuan Wang

STAFF
Executive Director - Sarah Duff
General Manager - Barbara Peck
Assistant Choir Manager - Alicen Gachi
Have Fun Being Awesome!