http://ee.rdprojectreview.com/ en speirce@fwcchoir.org Copyright 2013 2013-05-04T11:38:53+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-4-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-4-2013#When:11:38:53Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming FWCC Dates... Saturday, May 4 CONCERT & WHITLEY Choirs w/ Fort Wayne Philharmonic 7:00 pm - PERFORMANCE First Church of God 1200 Depoy Drive Columbia City 46725 Sunday, May 5 TREBLE, KANTOREI-The Singing Boys of Rockford, MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S CHOIR, GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHORUS APPLESEED CHILDREN'S CHOIR FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center Saturday, May 18 Fort Wayne Area Home School Expo 9 am - 5 pm - EXHIBITION HALL Allen County Memorial Coliseum Saturday, June 15 CONCERT & YOUTH CHORALE TOUR SINGERS COMBINED TOUR REHEARSAL/PREVIEW CONCERT & Exchange with COLUMBUS CHILDREN'S CHOIR 5:00 pm - EXCHANGE CONCERT First Wayne Street United Methodist Church - 300 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne Saturday, June 22 CONCERT & YOUTH CHORALE TOUR SINGERS RIVERFEST 10:00 am - OPENING CEREMONY IPFW Friday, August 9 APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, DEKALB, LYRIC, TREBLE, CONCERT CHORALFEST!! 7:00 pm - COMMUNITY CONCERT (FREE) Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park SUMMER ARTS OPPORTUNITIES If you and your child(ren) are looking for a variety of arts related opportunities for summer, please check the Community Arts Academy web site. CAA offers summer camps for students of all ages. Participants can choose from art, dance, music, and theatre programs. FWCC E-NEWS The E-News will cease its weekly delivery to your inbox this week. You will receive one the fourth week of May, June, and July. Weekly delivery will resume after Choralfest. SCHOLARSHIPS During the Recognition ceremony, the FWCC scholarship recipients were announced. They are as follows: *Sigma Alpha Iota - CECELIA SNOW from Youth Chorale *Heartland Chamber Chorale - NATHANAEL FALATER from Concert Choir and PAYTON SCOTT from Youth Chorale *Neumann - SARAH JOHNSON from Youth Chorale *Fred Meads - IAN DEVINE from Treble Choir *Ator Tour - ADRIENNE MARTIN from Youth Chorale, NOAH ISCH and HANNAH HOBSON from Concert Choir WHO DO YOU KNOW?? FWCC families and friends are our best recruiters!! Do you know a child who loves to sing? Choir placement sessions will be held the following sites, dates, and times: *IPFW Rhinehart Music Center: May 13-16, 4:30-6:30 pm *Columbia City United Methodist Church: May 20 & 21,   4:30-6:30 pm *DeKalb Middle School: May 22 & 23, 4:30-6:30 pm APPLESEED CHILDREN'S CHOIR FESTIVAL This weekend FWCC host's the Appleseed Children's Choir Festival. In addition to our own TREBLE choir, singers from Milwaukee Children's Choir, Grand Rapids Symphony Children's Chorus, and Kantorei - The Singing Boys of Rockford will be participating. The guest clinician is Josh Pedde, assistant artistic director of the Indianapolis Children's Choir. The choirs will join together in a free concert on Sunday, May 5 at 4 PM in Auer Performance Hall, Rhinehart Music Center. AND THE WINNER OF THE TICKETS! A big thank you if you participated in the Spring Concert online evaluation. The winner of four vouchers to her choice of 2013-14 FWCC concert(s) is DONNA LEHMAN, a music educator at Aboite Elementary. FORT WAYNE AREA HOME SCHOOL EXPO FWCC will be hosting a booth at the FWAHS Expo on Saturday, May 18, 9 AM -5 PM at the Memorial Coliseum. In addition to the booth, Mr. Busarow will be presenting a workshop for home school parents and their children. The session will be interactive. If you are attending the Expo, please stop by and say "hello."FUN FACT: Almost 9% of FWCC singers are home schooled! YOUR OPINION MATTERS How can the E-NEWS better serve you? Is there something missing? Too much information, too little? Do you think weekly is okay or would twice a month be better for your in-box? Please send comments and suggestions to speirce@fwcchoir.org. Thank you! QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-05-04T11:38:53+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/who-do-you-know http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/who-do-you-know#When:17:22:20Z Do you have a child or know a child that loves to sing? The Fort Wayne Children's Choir will be holding placement sessions for new 2013-14 choir members this month. New members now have an option to participate in the Whitley or DeKalb Community Children's Choirs or the IPFW campus-based seven choir program. The community choirs are for children in third grade and beyond with unchanged voices. Placement sessions are available in Fort Wayne (IPFW Rhinehart Music Center), Columbia City (Columbia City United Methodist Church), and Waterloo (DeKalb Middle School). For more information visit the FWCC "join the choir" page! If you can't find the information you desire on this web site or have questions, please contact the office at 26.481.0481.   Uncategorized, 2013-05-01T17:22:20+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-enews-april-252013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-enews-april-252013#When:21:06:14Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds.   CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming FWCC Dates... Monday, April 29 TIN CAPS BASEBALL GAME ALL CHOIRS 7:00 pm - NATIONAL ANTHEM Parkview Field Saturday, May 4 CONCERT & WHITLEY Choirs w/Fort Wayne Philharmonic 7:00 pm - PERFORMANCE First Church of God 1200 Depoy Drive Columbia City 46725 Sunday, May 5 TREBLE, KANTOREI-The Singing Boys of Rockford, MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S CHOIR, GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHORUS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center This performance is FREE and is the culmination of the Appleseed Children's Choir Festival A LITTLE TRIVIA 2012-13 ~ * 7 choirs * 255 singers * 86 schools represented * 663 total years of participating in FWCC 1973-2013 ~   * 5,000+ singers   * 40 years of music education & excellence   * 40 years of helping children find their voice WHAT A WEEKEND ~ Plant sale winners and spring concert … Plant Sales              The top plant sales recognition were awarded to the following singers for the 2013-14 season: *JACOB ALLEN - Full tuition scholarship *AVA THURINGER - Full tuition scholarship *MORIAH FRITZ - 1/2 tuition scholarship                                                              *KATE TOENGES - 1/2 tuition scholarship Spring Concert Over 800 people enjoyed the Spring Concert this past weekend! From the feedback received,  the collage performance" was a hit! The music was outstanding and kept everyone engaged. Well done singers, directors, and accompanists! Founder and former artistic director Jocelyn Basse and former artistic directors Ty Miller and Fred Meads returned for the concert. Sara Davis, interim artistic director, also attended. WE VALUE YOUR OPINION Please participate in the online survey about the Spring Concert. What's at stake? If you share your contact information your name will be entered into a drawing for four tickets to the 2013-14 FWCC concert of your choice AND you can impact the decision making process about future concerts. To participate click here! LOOKING AHEAD to 2013-14 FWCC families and friends are our best recruiters! Choir placement sessions will be held at the following sites on the dates/times listed: *IPFW Rhinehart Music Center:  May 13-16, 4:30-6:30 pm *Columbia City United Methodist Church: May 20 & 21, 4:30-6:30 pm *DeKalb Middle School: May 22 & 23, 4:30-6:30 pm APPLESEED CHILDREN'S CHOIR FESTIVAL The first weekend of May FWCC will host the Appleseed Children's Choir Festival. The opportunity was created by FWCC for choir singers who could benefit from a short overnight tour experience before they are placed in their own respective touring choir. In addition to our own TREBLE choir, singers from Milwaukee Children's Choir, Grand Rapids Symphony Children's Chorus, and Kantorei - The Singing Boys of Rockford will be participating. The guest clinician is Josh Pedde, assistant artistic director of the Indianapolis Children's Choir. QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2013-04-25T21:06:14+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-e-news-april-18-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-e-news-april-18-2013#When:23:59:27Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming FWCC Dates... Sunday, April 21 SPRING CONCERT ALL CHOIRS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Monday, April 22 YOUNG PEOPLE'S INTERACTIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCE APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, TREBLE, & CONCERT CHOIRS 10:00 am - EXPERIENCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center April 23 & 24 FUNdraiser 5-10 pm - ORANGE LEAF YOGURT 2820 E. Dupont Road **You must take a flyer with you for FWCC to benefit from your visit!  Download a flyer here Monday, April 29 TIN CAPS BASEBALL GAME ALL CHOIRS 7:00 pm - NATIONAL ANTHEM Parkview Field Saturday, May 4 CONCERT & WHITLEY w/ Fort Wayne Philharmonic 7:00 pm - PERFORMANCE First Church of God 1200 Depoy Drive Columbia City 46725 Sunday, May 5 TREBLE, KANTOREI-The Singing Boys of Rockford, MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S CHOIR, GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHORUS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center This performance is FREE and is the culmination of the Appleseed Children's Choir Festival LOOKING AHEAD to 2013-14 FWCC families and friends are our best recruiters!! Choir placement sessions will be held the following sites, dates, and times: *IPFW Rhinehart Music Center: May 13-16: 4:30-6:30 pm *Columbia City United Methodist Church: May 20 & 21   4:30-6:30 pm *DeKalb Middle School: May 22 & 23: 4:30-6:30 pm Interested families can call the office (260.481.0481) for more information or to schedule a time. YOUTH CHORALE & CONCERT CHOIR TOUR The YOUTH CHORALE and CONCERT choirs are in for an exciting experience when they visit  and perform at Casa Loma in Toronto. To read more about this unbelievable "house"...click here! SPRING PLANT SALE Thank you for supporting our plant sale. Top sellers will be announced at the Recognition this Saturday. SPRING CONCERT RAFFLE BASKETS The Raffle Baskets are filled with goodies...waiting for Sunday's concert. Lots of great surprises and items you might not have expected. Don't forget your cash and/or checkbook! Tickets are $2 a single ticket, 3 for $5, 6 for $10, etc. SPRING CONCERT Don't forget to get your Spring Concert tickets. For your convenience the Rhinehart box office is open this Saturday, April 20, 8:30-11:30 am. Come celebrate FWCC's 40th (our ruby!) season! Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Students. ALL seats are reserved and ALL of the seats in the lower seating area will be sold. You can also order online, by phone,  (260.481.6555) or stop by the box office located in the Gates Athletic Center. **Please note that IPFW charges a processing fee of $1.00 per ticket. It is applicable if the ticket(s) is purchased online, by phone, or in person at the Larson Ticket Office. SCHOOL SPRING PERFORMANCES This week's highlighted performance: FWCC Singer: ELIZABETH LAWLER - TREBLE School: St. Joseph Central ElementaryMusical:  The Emperor's New Clothes Date: May 30 @ 7:00 pm at St. Joseph Elementary **Elizabeth will play the Queen! FAME The following article and photo appeared in last week's FAME newsletter... Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope everyone had a nice relaxing week and is energized by the sunshine and warmer temperatures. THANK YOU and congratulations to everyone for an amazing and successful FAME Festival. The art was fun and creative, the music was full of talent and joyful voices and the dance was energizing and fun to watch! The Celebration of Youth Concert gets better and better each year. A special thank you to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Fort Wayne Ballet Youth Company, and the FORT WAYNE CHILDREN'S CHOIR for outstanding performances and, of course, to all those who participated in Fusion of Concert Colors and the Composition Project. April is a busy month with many exciting exhibits happening so I hope that everyone will take some time and enjoy the talent of our young artists! Sincerely, "T" Irmscher   QUICK LINKS Facebook   YouTube Uncategorized, 2013-04-18T23:59:27+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/spring-concert1 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/spring-concert1#When:21:14:55Z FWCC celebrates 40 years of singing at the SPRING CONCERT this Sunday, April 21 @ 4 pm in the Auer Performance Hall at the IPFW Rhinehart Music Center. Founder and artistic director Jocelyn Basse will be in attendance as well as former artistic directors Twila Magsig-Miller and Fred Meads. Tickets are available through the IPFW Larson Box Office by phone (260.481.6555), online, or at the box office located in the Gates Athletic Center. Tickets are $10/Adult and $8/Senior or Student. All seats are reserved. All seven FWCC choirs will perform as individual choirs and en masse. Artistic director, Jonathan Busarow, has a planned a new exciting format for the concert. Join us in the celebration!                                                                                             Uncategorized, 2013-04-16T21:14:55+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-april-11-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-april-11-2013#When:21:14:13Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming FWCC Dates... Sunday, April 21 SPRING CONCERT ALL CHOIRS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center You will not want to miss this year's concert! There will be a new format as FWCC celebrates its 40th Choir Season! Monday, April 22 YOUNG PEOPLE'S INTERACTIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCE APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, TREBLE, & CONCERT CHOIRS 10:00 am - EXPERIENCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center April 23 & 24 FUNdraiser 5-10 pm - ORANGE LEAF YOGURT 2820 E. Dupont Road **You must take a flyer with you for FWCC to benefit from your visit! ~ Download a flyer here Monday, April 29 TIN CAPS BASEBALL GAME @ Parkview Field ALL CHOIRS 7:00 pm - NATIONAL ANTHEM Saturday, May 4 CONCERT & WHITLEY w/ Fort Wayne Philharmonic 7:00 pm - PERFORMANCE First Church of God 1200 Depoy Drive Columbia City 46725 **Tickets available through the FW Philharmonic Box Office Sunday, May 5 Appleseed Children's Choir Festival Closing Concert TREBLE, KANTOREI, MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S CHOIR, GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHORUS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center This performance is FREE LOOKING AHEAD to 2013-14 FWCC families and friends are our best recruiters!!  Choir placement sessions for the FWCC campus will be the week of MAY 13, 4:30-6:30 PM at Rhinehart Music Center. If you know a young person or a family with children that love to sing, please tell them about FWCC and direct them to our web site. CONCERT ETIQUETTE For the past five weeks, the E-News has featured concert etiquette tips. For your convenience, the entire list may be accessed here. SPRING PLANT SALE Well spring has arrived!!   There is one more day to order plants...all orders are to be turned into the office by Friday, April 12. For a description of the plants available for sale...click here. For an order form...click here. Please call the office, 260-481-0481, or email, info@fwcchoir.org, with any questions. Thank you in advance for your support. SPRING CONCERT Don't forget to get your Spring Concert tickets! For your convenience the Rhinehart box office will be open next week Monday-Thursday, 5:00-6:30 pm and on Saturday, April 20, 8:30-11:30 am. Come celebrate FWCC's 40th (our ruby!) season!  Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Students. ALL seats are reserved and ALL of the seats in the lower seating area will be sold. You can also order online, by phone,  (260.481.6555) or stop by the box office located in the Gates Athletic Center. **Please note that IPFW charges a processing fee of $1.00 per ticket. It is applicable if the ticket(s) is purchased online, by phone, or in person at the Larson Ticket Office located in the Gates Athletic Center. SCHOOL SPRING PERFORMANCES It is no secret that FWCC singers lead busy lives! This week's highlighted performances: FWCC Singer: NATHAN GIDLEY -YOUTH CHORALE School: Blackhawk Middle School Musical: Animal Crackers Date: May 10 & 11 @ 7:30 pm at Blackhawk **Nathan will play the part of Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding, as made famous by Groucho Marx! FWCC Singer:  BERNADETTE HARGIS  - CONCERT School: St. Therese School Musical: Honk Jr. Date: May 17 & 18 @ 7:00 pm, St. Francis North Campus Auditorium RECOGNITION CEREMONY Saturday, April 20 the FWCC singers and artistic and administrative staff will be recognized for their individual years of participation with the organization. You might be surprised that some of our graduating seniors have been singing in FWCC choirs for 10 years! Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.~ Stevie Wonder QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-04-11T21:14:13+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/spring-concert-ticket-announcement http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/spring-concert-ticket-announcement#When:00:06:55Z SPRING CONCERT tickets are on sale!! Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Students. ALL seats are reserved! This year ALL of the seats in the lower seating area will be sold!! Tickets are available at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. Order online, by phone (260.481.6555) or stop by the box office located in the Gates Athletic Center. **Please note that IPFW charges a processing fee of $1.00 per ticket. It is applicable if the ticket(s) is purchased online, by phone, or in person at the Larson Ticket Office.   Uncategorized, 2013-03-15T00:06:55+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-14-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-14-2013#When:23:42:28Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming FWCC Dates... Saturday, March 16 CHOIR EXCHANGE w/ ANDERSON CHILDREN'S CHOIR LYRIC 9:00 am - 12:30 pm - EVENT 12:00 pm - INFORMAL CONCERT First Wayne Street United Methodist Church 300 East Wayne Street Monday, March 25 FUNdraiser 11 am - 10 pm - RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS Glenbrook Shopping Center Sunday, April 21 SPRING CONCERT ALL CHOIRS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center You will not want to miss this year's concert! There will be a new format as FWCC celebrates its 40th Choir Season! April 23 & 24 FUNdraiser 5-10 pm - ORANGE LEAF YOGURT 2820 E. Dupont Road Additional ARTS Opportunities... March 15 CELTIC CELEBRATION Heartland Sings 7:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Rhinehart Recital Hall IPFW Rhinehart Music Center $20 General Admission **Can't make the concert? Watch the performance LIVE in HD on PBS39 March 17 CELTIC CELEBRATION Heartland Sings 2:30 pm - PERFORMANCE Rhinehart Recital Hall IPFW Rhinehart Music Center $20 General Admission YOUNG ARTISTS CONCERT What a wonderful concert! The CHAMBER SINGERS and YOUTH CHORALE performed a variety of pieces highlighting their voices and talent. The evening also included solos by KASEY BAILEY, SARA HODGINI, GRACE MINNICK, BRANDON PORTER, and LIZ TERLEP. Well done singers! FAME Sunday at the FAME Festival the APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, and LYRIC CHOIRS performed as individual choirs and collectively. Later in the afternoon the CONCERT CHOIR performed with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic singing the Servant's Chorus from Don Pasquale. It was obvious the audiences enjoyed their music! Thank you singers! Thank you to the many singers, family, alumni, and friends that stopped by the FWCC booth at FAME. We had a tremendous amount of interest in our organization and our music education opportunities. CONCERT ETIQUETTE Do NOT walk down the center aisle with your video camera. Video cameras work just as well from the back of the auditorium. (Besides, the light is usually not good enough for video taping.) The "rules of concert etiquette" are from the National Association of Music Education. SPRING CONCERT TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT SPRING CONCERT tickets go on sale tomorrow!! Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Students. ALL seats are reserved! This year ALL of the seats in the lower seating area will be sold!! Mark your calendar - tickets go on sale March 15, 12:30 pm at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. Order online, by phone (260.418.6555) or stop by the office located in the Gates Athletic Center. **Please note that IPFW charges a processing fee of $1.00 per ticket. It is applicable if the ticket(s) is purchased online, by phone, or in person at the Larson Ticket Office. SCHOOL SPRING PERFORMANCES It is no secret that FWCC singers lead busy lives! For the past month the E-NEWS has featured FWCC singers and the productions they are appearing in this spring. This week's highlighted performances: FWCC SInger: BRANDON PORTER -  YOUTH CHORALE CHOIR School: Northrop High School Musical: The Producers Date: April 26 & 27 @ 7:00 pm The event takes place at Northrop HS **Brandon will be appearing as Leo Bloom! FWCC Singer: BAILEY FRITZ - YOUTH CHORALE School: Leo High School Musical: Into the Woods Date: May 25, 26, & 27 at 7:00 pm The performances are at Leo HS **Bailey is Cinderella's step-mother and is also the student-director and head of the "house" area. FWCC Singer: NATALIE CHIVERS - CONCERT CHOIR School - Summit Middle School Musical - Guys & Dolls Date: March 19 & 20 @ 7:00 pm The performances are at Summit MS **Natalie is playing various roles, including a crapshooter, a "doll," and a Havana girl.   QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-03-14T23:42:28+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-announces-spring-placement-sessions http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-announces-spring-placement-sessions#When:14:45:57Z FWCC will offer placement sessions for the IPFW Campus Choirs May 13-16 and for the Whitley Community Choir on May 20-21. Placement sessions for the DeKalb Community Choir will be announced within the next two weeks. Please call the FWCC office, 260.481.0481, to schedule. While placement in a choir can occur anytime during the choir season, children 8 yrs. through High School are typically placed in May or throughout the summer. Potential FWCC members are tested on pitch matching, rhythmic skills, and music theory. The placement session is meant to be relaxed, fun, and non-intimidating, and takes approximately 30 minutes and usually includes 4-6 children of the same age. A parent information session is conducted at the same time. Following the session, it is determined the level of choir for which the singer is ready. The child/parents/guardian is contacted with more information following the placement decision process. For more information, visit the FWCC Join the Choir web page.   Uncategorized, 2013-03-13T14:45:57+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-8-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-8-2013#When:13:57:06Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds.   CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming FWCC Dates... Sunday, March 10 FAME APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY 12:20-1:00 pm - PERFORMANCE and CONCERT CHOIR 1:45 pm - REHEARSE 3:00 pm - PERFORMANCE with  FW Philharmonic Grand Wayne Center Tuesday, March 12 YOUNG ARTISTS' CONCERT YOUTH CHORALE & CHAMBER SINGERS 7:30 pm - PERFORMANCE Rhinehart Recital Hall - Rhinehart Music Center Tickets: $5 at the door, online, or at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office in Gates Athletic Center (481.6555) Saturday, March 16 CHOIR EXCHANGE w/ ANDERSON CHILDREN'S CHOIR LYRIC 9:00 am - 12:30 pm - EVENT 12:00 pm - INFORMAL CONCERT First Wayne Street United Methodist Church 300 East Wayne Street Monday, March 25 FUNdraiser 11 am - 10 pm - RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS Glenbrook Shopping Center Sunday, April 21 SPRING CONCERT ALL CHOIRS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center You will not want to miss this year's concert! There will be a new format as FWCC celebrates its 40th Choir Season! April 23 & 24 FUNdraiser 5-10 pm - ORANGE LEAF YOGURT 2820 E. Dupont Road Additional ARTS Opportunties... FAME! Saturday, March 9 9:00 am-5:30 pm Sunday, March 10 NOON-5:00pm Grand Wayne Center CONCERT ETIQUETTE Do NOT wave to your children during the concert. After all, they do know who you are already, and they know you are there; you most likely brought them to the concert. Do NOT take flash photography. In most venues, the flash won't make a difference unless you are on stage performing. The "rules of concert etiquette" are from the National Association fo Music Education. SPRING CONCERT TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT Did you miss this announcement last week? FWCC is celebrating its 40th Season by adopting RETRO ticket prices!! Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Students. ALL seats are reserved! This year ALL of the seats in the lower seating area will be sold!! Mark your calendar - tickets go on sale March 15, 12:30 pm at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. Order online, by phone (260.418.6555) or stop by the office located in the Gates Athletic Center. WHO BROUGHT YOU MUSIC? Know a music teacher that made or is making a difference in your life? The Grammy Foundation is sponsoring a Music Educator's Award for music educator's currently working in Kindergarten through college classrooms in public or private schools. To nominate a music teacher you know...visit  Who Brought You Music?  Deadline to nominate is April 15, 2013. IT'S THE REAL THING! Don't forget to turn in the plastic caps from Coke containers to FWCC. We are using the COKE REWARD points to "buy" items for the plant sale rewards. Don't forget inside any boxed COKE products there is a coupon that can be saved as well. In fact, COKE perforates the coupon for easy removal. Caps and coupons can be turned into the FWCC office or if you have a business, FWCC will make arrangements to pick them up. Thank you for your help! SCHOOL SPRING PERFORMANCES It is no secret that FWCC singers lead busy lives! This week's highlighted performances: FWCC SInger: GAVIN FRITZ - YOUTH CHORALE CHOIR School: Blackhawk Christian Musical: AIDA Date: March 22 & 23, 2013 @ 7:00 pm The event takes place at Blackhawk Elementary or the North Campus. **Gavin plays the role of Zoser in the production. FWCC Singer: KIRSI SMITH - YOUTH CHORALE & CHAMBER SINGERS School - Antwerp MS & HS Musical - OKLAHOMA! Date: March 15 & 16, 2013 at 7:00 pm The performances are at Antwerp MS/HS. **Kirsi has the role of Laurey. FWCC Singer: KORTNEY SMITH - CONCERT CHOIR School - Antwerp MS & HS Musical - OKLAHOMA! Date: March 15 & 16, 2013 at 7:00 pm The performances are at Antwerp MS/HS. **Kortney is a chorus and saloon dancer in the production. FWCC Singer: HANNAH HOBSON - CONCERT CHOIR Sponsor: Academy of Arts & Fort Wayne Area Home School Drama: CHARLIE STORIES Date: March 29 at 7:00 pm &          March 30 at 2 pm Good News Baptist Church, 812 Anderson Road, Churubusco - Free admission, a free will donation will be taken **Hannah is singing a solo during the performance. I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. ~ Billy Joel QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-03-08T13:57:06+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-1-20131 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-1-20131#When:17:58:50Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds.    CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming Additional FWCC Dates... Sunday, March 10 FAME APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY 12:20-1:00 pm - PERFORMANCE and CONCERT CHOIR 3:00 pm - PERFORMANCE with  FW Philharmonic Grand Wayne Center Tuesday, March 12 YOUNG ARTISTS' CONCERT YOUTH CHORALE & CHAMBER SINGERS 7:30 pm - PERFORMANCE Rhinehart Recital Hall - Rhinehart Music Center Tickets: $5 at the door, online, or at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office in Gates Athletic Center Monday, March 25 FUNdraiser 11 am - 10 pm - RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS Glenbrook Shopping Center Sunday, April 21 SPRING CONCERT ALL CHOIRS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center You will not want to miss this year's concert! There will be a new format as FWCC celebrates its 40th Choir Season! April 23 & 24 FUNdraiser 5-10 pm - ORANGE LEAF YOGURT 2820 E. Dupont Road Additional ARTS Opportunties... FAME! Saturday, March 9 9:00 am-5:30 pm Sunday, March 10 NOON-5:00pm Grand Wayne Center CONCERT ETIQUETTE The National Association for Music Education offers several rules of concert etiquette. While FWCC has great audiences, for some the concert experience is new. Each week one or two will be offered for your consideration: **Turn off pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms. While many cell phones and pagers have symphonic-like rings, they don't always fit into the musical score, nor do they provide pleasant sounds for your neighbor. In January 2012 the New York Times published a story about a cell phone interrupting the New York Philharmonic. It serves as the epitome of a breach of concert etiquette. SPRING CONCERT TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT FWCC is celebrating its 40th Season by adopting RETRO ticket prices!! Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Students. ALL seats are reserved! This year ALL of the seats in the lower seating area will be sold!! Mark your calendar - tickets go on sale March 15, 12:30 pm at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. Order online, by phone (260.418.6555) or stop by the office located in the Gates Athletic Center. WHO BROUGHT YOU MUSIC? Know a music teacher that made or is making a difference in your life? The Grammy Foundation is sponsoring a Music Educator's Award for music educator's currently working in Kindergarten through college classrooms in public or private schools. To nominate a music teacher you know...visit  Who Brought You Music?  Deadline to nominate is April 15, 2013. IT'S THE REAL THING! Don't forget to turn in the plastic caps from Coke containers to FWCC. We are using the COKE REWARD points to "buy" items for the plant sale rewards. Don't forget inside any boxed COKE products there is a coupon that can be saved as well. In fact, COKE perforates the coupon for easy removal. Caps and coupons can be turned into the FWCC office or we will make arrangements to pick them up if you are a business. Thank you for your help! SCHOOL SPRING PERFORMANCES It is no secret that FWCC singers lead busy lives! This week's highlighted spring performances: FWCC SInger: KATE TOENGES - CONCERT CHOIR School: St. Jude Catholic School Musical: A Fussin' and a Feudin' Date: March 23, 2013 @ 7:00 pm  and March 24 at 3:00 pm The event takes place at St. Jude Catholic School. FWCC Singer: ISABELLE WILSON - APPRENTICE CHOIR School - Central Lutheran School Production (play, musical, etc.) - Operetta - Jonah's Druthers Date: March 15 & 17, 2013 at The event takes place at Central Lutheran School QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-03-01T17:58:50+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-1-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-1-2013#When:17:58:24Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds.    CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming Additional FWCC Dates... Sunday, March 10 FAME APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY 12:20-1:00 pm - PERFORMANCE and CONCERT CHOIR 3:00 pm - PERFORMANCE with  FW Philharmonic Grand Wayne Center Tuesday, March 12 YOUNG ARTISTS' CONCERT YOUTH CHORALE & CHAMBER SINGERS 7:30 pm - PERFORMANCE Rhinehart Recital Hall - Rhinehart Music Center Tickets: $5 at the door, online, or at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office in Gates Athletic Center Monday, March 25 FUNdraiser 11 am - 10 pm - RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS Glenbrook Shopping Center Sunday, April 21 SPRING CONCERT ALL CHOIRS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center You will not want to miss this year's concert! There will be a new format as FWCC celebrates its 40th Choir Season! April 23 & 24 FUNdraiser 5-10 pm - ORANGE LEAF YOGURT 2820 E. Dupont Road Additional ARTS Opportunties... FAME! Saturday, March 9 9:00 am-5:30 pm Sunday, March 10 NOON-5:00pm Grand Wayne Center CONCERT ETIQUETTE The National Association for Music Education offers several rules of concert etiquette. While FWCC has great audiences, for some the concert experience is new. Each week one or two will be offered for your consideration: **Turn off pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms. While many cell phones and pagers have symphonic-like rings, they don't always fit into the musical score, nor do they provide pleasant sounds for your neighbor. In January 2012 the New York Times published a story about a cell phone interrupting the New York Philharmonic. It serves as the epitome of a breach of concert etiquette. SPRING CONCERT TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT FWCC is celebrating its 40th Season by adopting RETRO ticket prices!! Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Students. ALL seats are reserved! This year ALL of the seats in the lower seating area will be sold!! Mark your calendar - tickets go on sale March 15, 12:30 pm at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. Order online, by phone (260.418.6555) or stop by the office located in the Gates Athletic Center. WHO BROUGHT YOU MUSIC? Know a music teacher that made or is making a difference in your life? The Grammy Foundation is sponsoring a Music Educator's Award for music educator's currently working in Kindergarten through college classrooms in public or private schools. To nominate a music teacher you know...visit  Who Brought You Music?  Deadline to nominate is April 15, 2013. IT'S THE REAL THING! Don't forget to turn in the plastic caps from Coke containers to FWCC. We are using the COKE REWARD points to "buy" items for the plant sale rewards. Don't forget inside any boxed COKE products there is a coupon that can be saved as well. In fact, COKE perforates the coupon for easy removal. Caps and coupons can be turned into the FWCC office or we will make arrangements to pick them up if you are a business. Thank you for your help! SCHOOL SPRING PERFORMANCES It is no secret that FWCC singers lead busy lives! This week's highlighted spring performances: FWCC SInger: KATE TOENGES - CONCERT CHOIR School: St. Jude Catholic School Musical: A Fussin' and a Feudin' Date: March 23, 2013 @ 7:00 pm  and March 24 at 3:00 pm The event takes place at St. Jude Catholic School. FWCC Singer: ISABELLE WILSON - APPRENTICE CHOIR School - Central Lutheran School Production (play, musical, etc.) - Operetta - Jonah's Druthers Date: March 15 & 17, 2013 at The event takes place at Central Lutheran School QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-03-01T17:58:24+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-21-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-21-2013#When:00:47:59Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming FWCC Dates.... Sunday, March 10 FAME APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY 12:40 pm - PERFORMANCE and 3:00 pm - CONCERT w/ FW Philharmonic Grand Wayne Center Tuesday, March 12 YOUNG ARTISTS' CONCERT YOUTH CHORALE & CHAMBER SINGERS 7:30 pm - PERFORMANCE Rhinehart Recital Hall - Rhinehart Music Center Tickets: $5 at the door, online, or at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office in Gates Athletic Center Sunday, April 21 SPRING CONCERT ALL CHOIRS 4:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Auer Performance Hall Rhinehart Music Center You will not want to miss this year's concert! There will be a new format as FWCC celebrates its 40th Choir Season!   SINGING VALENTINES!                   Thank you, thank you, thank you! FWCC sold 199 valentines this year...that is a 300+% increase from last year's event! Thank you Treble Choir for giving up a regular rehearsal and Youth Chorale members for coming on a non-rehearsal day! Thank you volunteers and parents that helped with the execution of the calls! If you purchased a singing valentine, thank you! As one recipient said "This is the best Valentine I have ever received!" CONCERT ETIQUETTE The National Association for Music Education offers several rules of concert etiquette. While FWCC has great audiences, for some the concert experience is new. Each week one or two will be offered for your consideration: *Refrain from talking. The first and greatest rule. It also includes whispering to or disciplining other children. If a child needs to be disciplined, please walk them outside the auditorium. *Refrain from unwrapping noisy candy wrappers during the performance. If the composer wanted to include crinkle paper noises to the music, he/she would have written it in the parts! FORT WAYNE INSIDER & FWCC Check out the Fort Wayne Insider, Fort Wayne's official blog, on Sunday, February 24 for a posting about the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. WHO BROUGHT YOU MUSIC? Know a music teacher that made or is making a difference in your life? The Grammy Foundation is sponsoring a Music Educator's Award for music educator's currently working in Kindergarten through college classrooms in public or private schools. To nominate a music teacher you know...visit  Who Brought You Music? MARCH & APRIL FUNDRAISERS Mark your calendars! March 25, 2013 - RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS  Glenbrook Shopping Mall, RED ROBIN will contribute a percentage of their sales to FWCC the entire day! April 23 & 24 -  ORANGE LEAF YOGURT 2870 E. Dupont Road, 5-10 pm. A flyer must be presented at the time of purchase. Flyers will be distributed after Spring Break and through the E-News. CHANGE FOR CHANGE The Change for Change celebration has been postponed until later in the year. Thank you for your participation! SCHOOL SPRING PERFORMANCES It is no secret that FWCC singers lead busy lives!  Many of the FWCC students appear in plays, concerts, and musicals at their schools or with other arts organizations. This week's highlighted performance: FWCC SInger: DOMINIC GERY - TREBLE CHOIR School: Deer Ridge Elementary School Musical: Peter Pan (5th Grade) Date: March 27, 2013 @ 7:00 pm - Deer Ridge Elementary **Dominic will play the part of Peter Pan! Uncategorized, 2013-02-22T00:47:59+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-14-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-14-2013#When:20:51:14Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Upcoming Additional FWCC Dates... Sunday, February 17 St. Matthew's Passion with the Bach Collegium CONCERT CHOIR 6:30 pm - CALL TIME 7:00 pm - PERFORM St. Paul's Lutheran Church 1126 South Barr Street Adult:$15 Student: $5 Tickets can be ordered on the Bach Collegium web site - under the concert title Baroque Festival B Wednesday, February 27 Community Celebration for CHANGE for CHANGE TIme TBD Three Rivers FCU 1615 Northland Blvd. Sunday, March 10 FAME APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY 12:40 pm - PERFORMANCE and 3:00 pm - CONCERT w/ FW Philharmonic Grand Wayne Center ADDITIONAL ARTS PERFORMANCES  February 14,15,16 OLIVER! IPFW Department of Theatre & Fort Wayne Youth Theatre 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE and February 17 2:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Arts United Center Tickets may be purchased through ArtsTix WHO BROUGHT YOU MUSIC? Know a music teacher that made or is making a difference in your life? The Grammy Foundation is sponsoring a Music Educator's Award for music educator's currently working in Kindergarten through college classrooms in public or private schools. What is the Grammy Foundation? From their web site... We are an organization that works to make a difference in people's lives through music. *And by "people," we mostly mean young people. *And by "difference," we mean change for the better. *And by "music," we mean...well you know what we mean. Basically, we unleash the power of music that is in all of us. We create opportunities for high school students to work with music professionals to get real-world experience and advice about how to have a career in music. And that includes any kind of music career - audio engineer, concert promoter, electronic music producer, manager, musician, music journalist, singer, songwriter - any music career. We also shine the spotlight on schools,students, and teachers who are doing really cool things with music. In fact, we just created the GRAMMY Music Educator Award to honor the role of music teachers. To nominate a music teacher you know...visit  Who Brought You Music? ST. MATTHEW'S PASSION Bach Collegium and FWCC CONCERT CHOIR Sunday, February 17 at 7:00 pm St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1126 Barr Street **Ticket Information: Click here! (Please note the name of the concert on the schedule is Baroque Festival B) Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his St. Matthew's Passion for a single purpose: to present the biblical passion story, in music, at Good Friday vesper services. This Sunday the CONCERT CHOIR joins the Bach Collegium in the performance of St. Matthew's Passion. To familiarize yourself with Passion, visit A Visitor's Guide to the St. Matthew's Passion.  Text for St. Matthew's Passion can be found on the Bach Collegium web site. YUMMM! MARCH & APRIL FUNDRAISERS Mark your calendars! More details to come! March  - RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS The Glenbrook RED ROBIN will be giving a percentage of their MONDAY, MARCH 25 entire day's receipts to FWCC! April - ORANGE LEAF FROZEN YOGURT FWCC will be having a fundraiser at the ORANGE LEAF FROZEN YOGURT, 2870 E. Dupont Road on TUESDAY, APRIL 23 and WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 5-10 pm. SPRING PERFORMANCES It is no secret that FWCC singers lead busy lives! This week's highlighted performances: FWCC SInger: MADISON NEWMAN - YOUTH CHORALE School: Snider High School Musical: Once Upon a Mattress Dates: March 14 & 15 @ 7:00 pm - Snider High School FWCC Singer: EMILY HARRIGAN - CONCERT CHOIR School: St. Charles Borromeo School Musical: Westward, Whoa! Dates: March 22 @ 7:00 pm - St. Charles Borromeo School QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-02-14T20:51:14+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/young-singer-gets-national-exposure http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/young-singer-gets-national-exposure#When:03:09:13Z The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is pleased to announce that one of our members, CECELIA SNOW has been selected to participate in the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA)  National Honor Choir at the ACDA national biannual conference. The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nonprofit music-education organization whose central purpose is to promote excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publication, research, and teaching. In addition, ACDA strives through arts advocacy to elevate choral music's position in American society. A part of the conference is showcasing talented middle and high school singers from across the country. Approximately 3,600 singers auditioned to participate in this year's convention to be held in Dallas, TX, March 13-16, 2013. Three hundred singers were selected for the Honors Choir. Miss Snow is an eight-year member of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir and currently sings in the organization’s Youth Chorale and Chamber Singers.  Miss Snow is a junior at Canterbury High School and is involved in the school’s music and drama programs. This is her second time being selected for this national honor. The mission of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir contributes to the community’s cultural environment by providing opportunities to experience the unique beauty of professionally trained young voices.   ### For more information on the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, visit our website at www.fwcchoir.org, or contact Denice Beights at 260.481.0841 or dbeights@fwcchoir.org.   Fort Wayne Children’s Choir Contact: Denice Beights       Tel. 260.481.0481 Cell: 260.312.3966 Email: dbeights@fwcchoir.org Uncategorized, 2013-02-13T03:09:13+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-7-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-7-2013#When:21:32:43Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Additional Upcoming FWCC Dates... Sunday, February 17 St. Matthew's Passion with the Bach Collegium CONCERT CHOIR 6:30 pm - CALL TIME 7:00 pm - PERFORM St. Paul's Lutheran Church 1126 South Barr Street Adult:$15 Student: $5 Tickets can be ordered on the Bach Collegium web site - under the concert title Baroque Festival B Wednesday, February 27 Community Celebration for CHANGE for CHANGE TIme TBD Three Rivers FCU 1615 Northland Blvd. Sunday, March 10 FAME - APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY 12:40 pm - PERFORMANCE and 3:00 pm - CONCERT w/ FW Philharmonic Grand Wayne Center Other Arts Organizations' Performances Sunday, February 10 Organ Recital Dr. Chelsea Vaught (Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church) 3:00 pm - PERFORMANCE First Presbyterian Church 300 West Wayne Street, Fort Wayne Sunday, February 10 Heartland Sings! Family Concert with Mr. Puppet 2:30 pm - PERFORMANCE University of Saint Francis North Auditorium Tickets: $10 (general admission) February 8,9,14,15,16 OLIVER! IPFW Department of Theatre & Fort Wayne Youth Theatre 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE and February 10 & 17 2:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Arts United Center: Tickets may be purchased through ArtsTix SINGING VALENTINES! It's not too late to order your singing valentine! If you haven't participated before, it is a wonderfully unique expression of caring and love for people important in your life! The valentine is delivered by the FWCC Sweetheart Singers (TREBLE and YOUTH CHORALE) on Thursday February 14,      Valentine's Day, from 5-6:30 pm. For more information...click here! St. Matthew's Passion Bach Collegium and FWCC CONCERT CHOIR Sunday, February 17 at 7:00 pm St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1126 Barr Street **Ticket Information: Click here! (Please note the name of the concert on the schedule is Baroque Festival B) Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his St. Matthew Passion for a single purpose: to present the biblical passion story, in music, at Good Friday vesper services. Bach's Passion continues to move audiences more than 280 years after it was first heard in St. Thomas's Church in Leipzig, Germany. Standing as one of the pillars of Western sacred music, it is at once monumental and intimate, deeply sorrowful and powerful. Bach's Passion retells the dramatic and compelling story of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Bach divided the music into two parts. Highlights of part one include the last supper and the betrayal and arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In part two, the music turns darker and softer-signalling the inevitability of the story-as it depicts the trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The Passion ends with the darkly textured chorus, "In tears of grief." Bach could leave his parishioners in a sorrowful mood, knowing that they'd be celebrating Christ's resurrection in just a few days.  (from the web site A Visitor's Guide to St. Matthew's Passion) Bach Collegium The Bach Collegium is a not-for-profit choral and instrumental ensemble composed of disciplined and experienced musicians presenting performances and workshops using J. S. Bach as its model composer. The Collegium is a ten year old choral-instrumental ensemble. Comprised of over 30 disciplined and experienced singers and 18 instrumentalists, they perform in a variety of spaces conducive to the unique sound of the Baroque style. The use of period instruments allows for a warm, "airy" sound that blends harmoniously with unforced voices, providing a transparent, articulate and altogether welcoming sound that has become the hallmark of the Collegium. The sound produced is not unlike what Bach and his contemporaries would have heard and performed. (Information from the Bach Collegium web site. Text for St. Matthew's Passion is located on the site as well.) Change for Change Change for Change is a transformative fundraising program for FWCC. We're asking the Northeast Indiana community to share their change - so we can be the change in a child's life. We will provide canisters to help with the change collection. Do you own a business or work somewhere that would be willing to display a "Change of Change" canister for the month of February? Call the office, 481.0481, or email info@fwcchoir.org to have a canister(s) delivered to your business or place of employment. There will be a community turn-in celebration on February 27 at 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union, 1615 Northland Blvd. (Time to be announced later) You can turn in your canisters there, or call the FWCC at 260.481.0481 to have your canister picked up. QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2013-02-07T21:32:43+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-31-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-31-2013#When:01:36:26Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES & Additional Upcoming FWCC Dates... Sunday, February 17 St. Matthew's Passion with the Bach Collegium CONCERT CHOIR 7:00 pm - PERFORM St. Paul's Lutheran Church 1126 South Barr Street Adult:$15 Student: $5 http://www.bachcollegium.org/tickets.php Wednesday, February 27 Community Celebration for CHANGE for CHANGE Time to be Announced Three Rivers FCU 1615 Northland Blvd. Sunday, March 10 FAME - APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY 12:40 pm - PERFORMANCE and 3:00 pm - CONCERT w/ FW Philharmonic Grand Wayne Center Other Arts Organizations' Performances Sunday, February 10 Organ Recital Dr. Chelsea Vaught (Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church) 3:00 pm - PERFORMANCE First Presbyterian Church 300 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne February 8,9,14,15,16 OLIVER! IPFW Department of Theatre & Fort Wayne Youth Theatre 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE and February 10 & 17 2:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Arts United Center Tickets may be purchased through ArtsTix Concert Choir Clinic with Dominick DiOrio The CONCERT CHOIR clinic with composer and conductor  Dominick DiOrio, Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, went very smoothly. Mr. DiOrio is this choir season's commissioned composer. He worked with the singers on his composition that will be performed at the Spring Concert. This was a wonderful opportunity for FWCC to have the actual composer work directly with one of its choirs. Singing Valentines! ~ Corrected Date!  FWCC is selling singing valentines for your special someone to be delivered on February 14 NOT the 15! The FWCC Sweetheart Singers (TREBLE and YOUTH CHORALE) will unite to serenade a memorable Valentine via phone to any number within the U.S. on Valentine's Day, 5-6:30 pm. For more information... Change for Change Change for Change is a transformative fundraising program for FWCC. We're asking the Northeast Indiana community to share their change - so we can be the change in a child's life. We will provide Change for Change canisters to help with the change collection. It's easy to be a part of the campaign - just place a canister in a visible place, and ask your customers, colleagues, friends and family to share their loose change by placing it in the canister. Do you own a business or work somewhere that would be willing to display a "Change of Change" canister for the month of February? We know, first hard, that music changes people's lives - and we want to give children in the Northeast Indiana the opportunity to be a part of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. Children who participate in the arts are well-positioned for further success as they become adults. Change for Change will start February 1. Call the office, 481.0481, or email info@fwcchoir.org to have a canister(s) delivered to your business or place of employment. There will be a community turn-in celebration on February 27 at 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union, 1615 Northland Blvd. (Time to be announced later) You can turn in your canisters there, or call the FWCC at 260.481.0481 to have your canister picked up. Your Vehicle Window Needs Scraped... And you can't find your scraper? Purchase a BRIGHT BLUE FWCC scraper for your car and you will always see it! Please order through the office. Items can be delivered to rehearsal. We accept check, credit card, and cash! For your convenience, photos of the items and price list:                                 Insuated Shopping Bag                             Logo Bag w/ Zipper Logo Items & Prices: Insulated Shopping Bag - $10 Logo Bag w/ Zipper - $5 Nylon Drawstring Bag - $5 Umbrella - $12 Ceramic Mug - $5 Wristband - $2 Water bottle - $5 Lanyard - $3 Cup w/ Straw - $5 Key Chain - $2 Travel Mug - $10 Window Cling - $1 Oval Window Decal - $3 ICE SCRAPER - $2 SCRIP SCRIP orders will be placed tomorrow, Friday, February 1.  Please have your order in by noon to scrip@fwcchoir.org.  Following is the latest scrip news. **Valentine's Day is coming and there is a Debrand scrip which offers a 10% rebate. **GFS is now reloadable. **Adidas has joined Great Lakes Scrip. **Lane Bryant is increasing their rebate to 8%. **Restaurant.com is offering a 10% bonus for a total rebate of 60%. **Sees is offering a 1% bonus on their $25 card only. NEW!! Lassus Handy Dandy is offering us reloadable scrip cards, similar to our Kroger cards, with a 4% rebate. After your initial card purchase, the card would need to be reloaded at one of their stores by cash or check only.  We would like to determine the interest before purchasing the cards.  Please email Jennifer at scrip@fwcchoir.org if you would be interested in a reloadable Lassus card. Community Arts Academy Spring Classes Community Arts Academy is taking registrations for their spring classes. It's not too late to register for the theatre classes starting this Saturday, February 2. Classes are divided by age group and are for Pre-K through Grade 12. CAA offers a variety of classes in the arts! Check out the schedule on their web site. Thank you... Barrett & McNagny law firm generously sponsored the recent staff and Board of Directors holiday celebration. QUICK LINKS FACEBOOK YouTube             Uncategorized, 2013-02-01T01:36:26+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-25-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-25-2013#When:14:41:08Z   The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds.    CALENDAR Upcoming PERFORMANCES... Sunday, February 17 St. Matthew's Passion with the Bach Collegium CONCERT CHOIR 7:00 pm - PERFORM St. Paul's Lutheran Church Other Arts Organizations' Performances Sunday, February 10 Organ Recital Dr. Chelsea Vaught (Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church) 3:00 pm - PERFORMANCE First Presbyterian Church 300 West Wayne Street (freewill offering) February 8,9,14,15,16 OLIVER! IPFW Department of Theatre & Fort Wayne Youth Theatre 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE and February 10 & 17 2:00 pm - PERFORMANCE Arts United Center Tickets may be purchased through ArtsTix How Did We Do? The combined choir collaboration between FWCC and Trinity English Lutheran Church was a great success. Guest artistic director, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Litton-Lodal Music Director of the American Boychoir, directed the CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, and Junior and Youth church choirs in the Saturday afternoon concert. Music selections included pieces from African American composers Rollo Dilworth, Keith Hampton, and Andre Thomas. Mr. Dilworth and Mr. Hampton have presented workshops for past FWCC choir members. The CONCERT CHOIR was warmly received at the opening for the Indiana Music Educators' Association last Friday morning. Monday the YOUTH CHORALE, Mrs. Beights, and Mr. Busarow presented a program at the Downtown Rotary noon meeting. Rotarians were effusive in their appreciation for the quality of the music sung by the choir and the commitment of the organization to the community! Singing Valentines! FWCC is selling singing valentines for your special someone! The FWCC Sweetheart SIngers (TREBLE and YOUTH CHORALE) will unite to serenade a memorable Valentine via phone on Valentine's Day, February 15, 5-6:30 pm. For more information...click on the hearts!  Concert Choir Clinic with Dominick DiOrio Friday, January 25 - 5:00-7:30 pm This evening the CONCERT CHOIR will be participating in a clinic with composer and conductor Dominick DiOrio, Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Mr. DiOrio directs the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble an auditioned chorus specializing in new music. For more information please visit Mr. DiOrio's web site: http://dominickdiorio.com/bio.html Do You Know...  Following are statistics about the Fort Wayne Children's Choir 2012-13 choir: • 255 singers are currently participating in the seven ensembles • 82 different schools are represented (public, parochial, private, and home school) • 19% of our singers live in non-traditional households • 41% of our singers receive participation assistance IPFW Community Arts Academy It's not too early to think spring! CAA is enrolling students for its spring 2013 classes. Classes are for pre-K-Grade 12 and include dance, theatre, music, and art.  For more information please check their web site or contact Melinda Haines at 260.481.6059 or hainesmd@ipfw.edu QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2013-01-25T14:41:08+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-17-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-17-2013#When:00:51:31Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES  Friday, January 18 IMEA Conference CONCERT 9:00 am - PERFORM Embassy Theatre Saturday, January 19 Choral Festival/MLK CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE 2:30 pm - PERFORM Trinity English Lutheran Church 405 W. Wayne Street Monday, January 21 Downtown Rotary Club YOUTH CHORALE 12:30 pm - PERFORM Parkview Field (upstairs) Other Arts Organizations' Performances Thursday, January 17 LUTHER COLLEGE NORDIC CHOIR 7:30 pm - PERFORMANCE Holy Cross Lutheran Church 3425 Crescent Ave. Freewill Offering (no tickets needed) OLIVER! The IPFW Department of Theatre and the Fort Wayne Youth Theatre will present OLIVER! on February 8,9,14,15,16 at 8 pm and on February 10 & 17 at 2 pm. The musical will be performed at the Arts United Center. Tickets may be purchased through ArtsTix. Current LYRIC singer, SAM POOR, is in the cast as well as FWCC alum, BEN BERCOT. Choral Festival - Community Collaboration Don't miss this Saturday's concert at Trinity English Lutheran Church. The 2:30 pm concert is a collaboration between Trinity English and FWCC. The CONCERT and YOUTH CHORALE choirs will join the respective Junior and Youth church choirs to perform a wide breadth of music. A special focus will be on African American gospel music in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. Guest artistic director is Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Litton-Lodal Music Director of the American Boychoir. Luther College Nordic Choir Holy Cross Lutheran Church 3425 Crescent Avenue, is pleased to host Luther College Nordic Choir in concert Thursday, January 17 at 7:30 pm. Nordic Choir, founded in 1946, enjoys national and international acclaim as a premier collegiate choral ensemble in the United States. Following the 57-year tenure of Weston Noble, Nordic is currently under the direction of Dr. Allen Hightower, named director of choral activities at Luther College in 2010. There will be a freewill offering, no tickets are necessary. FWCC Closed - January 21 FWCC will be closed Monday due to IPFW's closing in recognition of Martin Luther King Day. Concert Choir Clinic with Dominick DiOrio - Friday, January 25, 5:00-7:30 pm First Wayne Street United Methodist Church January is a busy month for the Concert Choir! This week they will work with American Boychoir director, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, a nd next week they will be participating in a clinic with composer and conductor Dominick DiOrio.  Mr. DiOrio is assistant professor of choral conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he directs the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, an auditioned chorus specializing in new music. He supervises the program in choral conducting for masters students and also teaches courses in score reading, choral literature, and graduate choral conducting. (From the Dominick DiOrio web site.) For more information please visit Mr. DiOrio's web site: http://dominickdiorio.com/bio.html   Commissioned Work I Am a Village - Jim Ator Dr. James Ator came to IPFW in the fall of 1973. He retired in 2002 as Coordinator of Theory and composition, Director of the Jazz Ensemble and Professor of saxophone. He served as Chair of the Music Department from 1986 to 1994. He holds degrees from Drake University (B.M.E.), Wichita State University (M.M. in Performance, and University of North Texas (D.M.A. in Composition). In retirement, Dr. Ator is very active as a teacher, composer, and performer. I AM A VILLAGE used the poetry of local artist  Janice  Furtner.  It was premiered at the Harvest Concert in November 2008 by a women's ensemble from the Youth Chorale, accompanied by flute and percussion. IPFW Community Arts Academy Its not too early to think spring! CAA is enrolling students for its spring 2013 classes. Classes are for pre-K-Grade 12 and include dance, theatre, music, and art.  For more information please check their web site or contact Melinda Haines at 260.481.6059 or hainesmd@ipfw.edu Why Do People Sing? Imagine the surprise when the above question was Googled and 302,000,000 results were found! There is even a book published in 2011 by the same name written by Joseph Jordania. Looking over the many reasons we sing, following are some favorites: stress reliever, makes us happy, helps us learn, strengthens our lung capacity, pleasing to nature, and because we can! Even those who are not blessed with melodious voices find themselves singing. So let the song in your heart be shared with the world around you! We are all a little better for it! QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube     Uncategorized, 2013-01-18T00:51:31+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-11-2013 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-11-2013#When:15:30:59Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR PERFORMANCES - Friday, January 18 IMEA Conference CONCERT CHOIR 9:00 am - PERFORM Embassy Theatre Saturday, January 19 Choral Festival/MLK CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE 2:30 pm - PERFORM Trinity English Lutheran Church 405 W. Wayne Street Monday, January 21 Downtown Rotary Club YOUTH CHORALE 12:30 pm - PERFORM Parkview Field Other Arts Organizations' Performances Sunday, January 13 Praise Celebration Voices of Unity Youth Choir 6:00 pm - Performance Rhinehart Music Center Adult: $15 Senior/Student: $10 Child (12 & under): $5 (Bring a canned good for each child and they will be admitted free) Luther College Choir to Perform The Luther College Choir will perform on Thursday, January 17, 2013, 7:30 p.m at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (3425 Crescent Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.) This performance is in conjunction with the IMEA conference. There will be a freewill offering (no tickets needed). Oliver! The IPFW Department of Theatre and the Fort Wayne Youth Theatre will present Oliver! on February 8,9,14,15,16 at 8 pm and on February 10 & 17 at 2 pm. The musical will be performed at the Arts United Center. Tickets may be purchased through ArtsTix.  FWCC NEWS Happy New Year! 2013 is an exciting year for the Fort Wayne Children's Choir! This spring we celebrate our 40th anniversary season with a spectacular Spring Concert. The first weekend in May, FWCC hosts the Appleseed Children's Choir Festival on the IPFW campus. We are looking forward to performances in January and March in addition to the Young People's Interactive Music Experience in April. 2012 Sigma Alpha Iota Triennial Undergraduate Performance Award Congratulations FWCC alumnus Jessica Bush! Jessica received a $1,500 scholarship for vocal performance from Sigma Alpha Iota. A junior at Ball State, Jessica has been active in the Iota Chi chapter of SAI since her fall 2010 initiation. She plans to graduate in spring 2014 with a Bachelor  of Arts in Music Education:Vocal & General and a minor in Spanish. Founded in 1903, SIgma Alpha Iota is an international music fraternity for women. Its purpose is: *TO FORM chapters of women college students and alumnae who have a sincere interest in music. *TO UPHOLD the highest standards of music. *TO FURTHER the development of music in America and throughout the world. *TO GIVE inspiration and encouragement to members. *TO ORGANIZE the cultural life of Sigma Alpha Iota members as a contributing factor to their educational growth. *TO SUPPORT the ideals and goals of the member's Alma Mater. *TO ADHERE to the highest standards of citizenship in school, community and fraternity life. Welcome - New Music Intern! Welcome Tori LaCroix the new FWCC music intern...Tori is a FWCC alum! In her junior year at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, she is majoring in music with minors in education and German. In addition to assisting Mr. Busarow and working with the Treble Choir, Tori is serving at Whispering Meadows in South West Allen County schools as a teaching fellow. Trinity English Lutheran Church Choral Festival Guest Conductor: Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Artistic Director American Boychoir Next weekend Trinity English will host a special Choral Festival for its Junior and Youth choirs and for the CONCERT CHOIR and YOUTH CHORALE from the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. On Friday, January 18 the Youth Choir of Trinity English will partner with the YOUTH CHORALE in a special evening of choral singing, supper, and fun activities providing interaction between youth of both ensembles. Then, on Saturday morning, January 19, a similar experience will be offered for the Junior Choir and the CONCERT CHOIR. The culmination of the weekend will be a brief concert offered at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, enabling all the singers an opportunity to perform the music rehearsed during the weekend. Trinity English and FWCC are very honored that the guest director will be Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, who has served as Music Director of the famed American Boychoir since 2004. Since that appointment, he has toured with the Choir to 30 states and Canada. CONCERT CHOIR Opens IMEA Professional Development Conference Friday morning, January 18, the Indiana Music Educators Association's (IMEA) annual state conference opens with the CONCERT CHOIR performing the National Anthem. The conference will be held at the Grand Wayne Convention Center and Embassy Theatre. Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA) is a not-for-profit professional membership organization for music teachers, kindergarten through collegiate levels.  Membership is currently around 1100 active teachers, with approximately 100 retired members, and 700 collegiate members (who are music education majors).  IMEA provides professional development opportunities for music teachers, as well as extracurricular performance and learning opportunities for Indiana music students. IPFW Community Arts Academy Its not too early to think spring! CAA is enrolling students for its spring 2013 classes. Classes are for pre-K-Grade 12 and include dance, theatre, music, and art.  For more information please check their web site or contact Melinda Haines at 260.481.6059 or hainesmd@ipfw.edu Quick Links Facebook YouTube Join Our Mailing List:  info@fwcchoir.org Uncategorized, 2013-01-11T15:30:59+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-december-21-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-december-21-2012#When:14:58:08Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds CALENDAR  PERFORMANCES - Looking ahead in 2013... Saturday, January 19 Martin Luther King Concert CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE 2:30 pm - Performance Trinity English Lutheran Church 405 W. Wayne Street Other performances that might interest you... Oliver! The IPFW Department of Theatre and the Fort Wayne Youth Theatre will present Oliver! on February 8,9,14,15,16 at 8 pm and on February 10 & 17 at 2 pm. The musical will be performed at the Arts United Center. Tickets may be purchased through ArtsTix. FWCC Office Hours  - The FWCC office will close at noon Friday, December 21 for two weeks. Normal office hours resume on Monday, January 7 at 9 AM. The next e-news will be Thursday, January 10.   Attention High School Juniors & Seniors Get the jump on competition by participating in the IPFW College Vocal Audition Workshop. It is a great opportunity to learn in a supportive and schooled environment from university professors. Freshmen and sophomores are able to participate if space permits. For more information, please download the IPFW Community Arts Academy flyer. Commissioned Work Great Day! - Howard Helvey Howard Helvey resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he is active as a composer, arranger and pianist, and serves as organist and choirmaster of historic Calvary Episcopal Church. Known particularly for his choral music, Mr. Helvey maintains an extremely active writing schedule, and his hundreds of compositions and arrangements are published by numerous publishing companies. His compositions have been featured  on numerous recordings, national television and radio broadcasts, in such eminent concert venues as New York's Carnegie Hall, the Walt Disney Concert Hall (LA), the White House, the National Cathedral (Washington, D.C.), and many locations throughout Europe and Asia. In addition, his music is regularly performed at regional and national conventions of the   American Choral Directors Association and other professional music organizations. Mr. Helvey is commissioned frequently by church, university, and professional ensembles, and recent performance highlights have been presented by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Kansas City Chorale, Conspirare, and Pro Musica (Copenhagen), to name a few. He received international awards in 2002, 2003 and 2006 (as first prize winner) from the John Ness Beck Foundation, who annually recognizes outstanding achievement in choral composition. A Missouri native, Mr. Helvey holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master of Music degree in composition and piano performance from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music. As one passionate about effective congregational hymn-singing, he received additional training in hymn-accompanying and organ improvisation from Gerre Hancock. From Howard Helvey biography information on the following web sitehttp://howardhelvey.com/biography/"> http://howardhelvey.com/biography/ Mr. Helvey composed Great Day! for FWCC in 2010. It was performed as a combined piece by the choirs. QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Have a happy and safe holiday! ~ The FWCC Staff   Uncategorized, 2012-12-21T14:58:08+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-december-13-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-december-13-2012#When:18:48:38Z CALENDAR Make sure these dates are on your calendar! PERFORMANCES - Friday, December 14 HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT CHOIR 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *Embassy Theatre **Tickets on sale at the Embassy box office at 260.424.5665, or by calling The Phil at 260.481.0777 or online at  www.fwphil.org Saturday, December 15 HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT CHOIR 2:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *** 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *Embassy Theatre **Tickets on sale at the Embassy box office at 260.424.5665, or by calling The Phi at 260.481.0777 or online at www.fwphil.org Sunday, December 16 SNOW QUEEN - Youtheatre Production CHAMBER SINGERS 2:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *Arts United Center **Tickets - see link below... http://www.fortwayneyoutheatre.org/?page_id=273 New Logo Items If you ordered new logo wearable items for holiday gifts the orders will be available for pick up at the FWCC office on 12/20 and 12/21. Orders not picked up by 12 noon on 12/21 will be                                                     available in the office the first week in January. REJOICE! Great concert! Great audience! If you were able to attend...thank you! It's not too late to share your opinion about the concert even though it is too late for the ticket drawing. To participate in the survey...click here! Charge It at the Door--NOT! We apologize for any inconvenience at the Rejoice Concert ticket table. The decision to not "swipe" cards was made at the last minute to iron out some details. We appreciate your patience and understanding. FWCC looks forward to serving you in the future. Holiday Pops Preview on WANE-TV This Saturday morning at 8 AM on WANE-TV (channel 2), Mr. Busarow will be interviewed about the CONCERT choir's participation in the Holiday Pops. The interview will include footage of this week's Wednesday's rehearsal. Tune in... In the Community November and December certainly keep FWCC on the move! Last   Friday the CHAMBER SINGERS performed at Sweetwater Sound and beginning this week CHOIRS are singing at retirement centers or nursing home to share the music of the season! Participating in the community is a part of the FWCC mission...                                                                                  We strive to be recognized as one of the finest choirs in the nation because of our excellence in musical education, the diversity of our membership and the quality of our contributions to the community's cultural life. Attention High School Juniors & Seniors Get the jump on competition by participating in the IPFW College Vocal Audition Workshop. It is a great opportunity to learn in a supportive and schooled environment from university professors. Freshmen and sophomores are able to participate if space permits. For more information, please download the IPFW Community Arts Academy flyer. Sounds of Christmas The SACRED MUSIC of CHRISTMAS Thursday, December 23 @ 7 pm First Wayne Street United Methodist Church 300 E. Wayne Street Irene Ator, FWCC Assistant Artistic Director, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic feature carols and anthems devoted entirely to beloved sacred Christmas music. For more information http://www.fwphil.org/calendar/view/975 Looking Ahead The FWCC office closes Friday, December 21 at noon for two weeks. Regular office hours resume Monday, January 7. QUICKLINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-12-13T18:48:38+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/sing-with-fwcc http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/sing-with-fwcc#When:16:05:35Z This evening and Saturday evening you have an extraordinary opportunity to sing with the APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY, and YOUTH CHORALE choirs at the Rejoice Concert at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Voting on the FWCC Facebook page overwhelmingly selected "O Holy Night" as the Christmas carol for a community sung song at the conccerts. The concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available through the IPFW Larson Box Office and at the door. For your convenience, FWCC now accepts credit card ticket purchases at the door. Uncategorized, 2012-12-07T16:05:35+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-30-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-30-2012#When:21:11:40Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! CONCERTS - Friday, November 30 NUTCRACKER w/FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic TREBLE 7:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *Arts United Center Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic TREBLE 2:30 pm - PERFORMANCE *** 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *Arts United Center ** Tickets for the Nutcracker are available through the FW BALLET Saturday, December 1 CHRISTMAS PARTY CHAMBER SINGERS 6:30-9:00 pm - PERFORM *122nd Fighter Wing - National Air Guard Base Friday, December 7 LUNCHTIME CAROLING CHAMBER SINGERS 12:30-1:30 pm - PERFORM *Sweetwater Sound Friday, December 7 REJOICE CONCERT APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER 7:30 pm - PERFORMANCE *Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne **Tickets for the Rejoice Concerts are available through the IPFW Larson Ticket Office Friday, December 7 HOLIDAY POPS  CONCERT CHOIR 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *Embassy Theatre **Tickets on sale at the Embassy box office at 260.424.5665, or by calling The Phil at 260.481.0777 or online at www.fwphil.org Saturday, December 8 REJOICE CONCERT APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER 7:30 pm - PERFORMANCE *Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Ave. **Tickets for the Rejoice Concerts are available through the IPFW Larson Ticket Office Saturday, December 8 HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT 8:00 pm - PERFORMANCE *Embassy Theatre Tickets on sale at the Embassy box office at 260.424.5665, or by calling The Phil at 260.481.0777 or online at www.fwphil.org FWCC 40th Anniversary Sponsors Interested in becoming a 40th Anniversary sponsor? There are three levels of recognized sponsorship--$4,000, $1,400, and $400. However, any amount will be accepted to support our 40th celebration in the spring. If you are interested, contact Denice Beights at 260.481.0481 or dbeights@fwcchoir.org. Two donors stepped forward as sponsors within the last two weeks. Much thanks to them for their support! Thank you! Last week FWCC sent out a thank you via email to families and friends. In case you missed it... At this holiday time of giving thanks, the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is grateful for 40 years of providing a program exemplifying excellence in music education and performance and your interest and support! We want to share just a small clip of "The Earth's Been Good to Me" that includes ALL of the 251 children currently in the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. The recording is part of the 40th Anniversary CD FWCC will release this spring. Simply, click on the link below and push the play button. http://soundcloud.com/fwcc/thanks Sincerely, The Fort Wayne Children's Choirs and Staff FWCC People in the News OLIVER! Lyric Choir member Sam Poor auditioned for a part in the Fort Wayne Youth Theatre musical, OLIVER!, and was cast as one of the orphans. For his audition Sam sang the Star Spangled Banner and also read a brief part. Sam's rehearsals start December 3 and his performances are in February 2013. Sam's sister, Emma, a former Treble Choir member, auditioned for the FWYT Snow Queen production and was selected for a part, as well. For more information about the productions  please visit the the FWYT web site: http://www.fortwayneyoutheatre.org/ This was Sam and Emma's first audition for a stage production. Congratulations! FWCC and ACDA The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nonprofit music-education organization whose central purpose is to promote excellence in choral music through performance,composition, publication, research, and teaching. In addition, ACDA strives through arts advocacy to elevate choral music's position in American society. A part of the conference is showcasing talented middle and high school singers from across the country. Approximately 3,600 singers auditioned to participate this year's convention to be held in Dallas, TX, March 13-16, 2013. Three hundred singers were selected for the Honors Choir. Congratulations, Cecelia Snow on being selected. Cecilia sings in Youth Chorale and the Chamber Singers and this is her second time selected by ACDA. What does she think of being selected? "I love and appreciate everything the FWCC has done to get me to this point." History Center Festival of Gingerbread Congratulations to Mrs. Jennifer Balkenbusch on her Festival of Gingerbread entry. She is a Concert Choir parent and active member of the FWCC Parent Organization. Mrs. Balkenbusch won first place in the individual adult division. New Logo Items The Parent Organization has new logo items, just in time for the holidays!! You can order at the Rejoice Concerts or better yet, download the attached order form and do it now! (Samples will be available at the concerts) Orders are due by 5 PM on Monday, 12/10. If paying by credit card you can fax/email your order and call the office with your card information. If paying by cash or check, please drop off to the office before Monday, 12/10 at 5 PM. Orders will be available for pick up at the FWCC office on 12/20 and 12/21. Orders not picked up by 12 noon on 12/21 will be available in the office the first week in January. Concerts & Alumni Remember all FWCC Alumni can attend our concerts free of charge! Hope to see you at a Rejoice Concert next week-end! IT'S THE REAL THING! FWCC is asking for your help! Please save your bottle caps and cardboard boxes from ALL Coke products and turn them into us! We will use the numbers on the items for Coke Rewards. Prizes we "earn" will be used for the end of year drawings for the singers, associated with the plant sale. Caps & boxes (look for the numbers inside and send that portion!) can be turned in to the office or call for pickup (260.481.0481). Thank you for your help! "Music is an essential part of everything we do. Like puppetry, music has an abstract quality which speaks to a worldwide audience in a wonderful way that nourishes the soul."  - Jim Henson - television producer and puppeteer QUICK LINKS Faceboook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-11-30T21:11:40+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-15-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-15-2012#When:02:59:28Z   The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from  CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! CONCERTS - Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and four additional area high school choirs Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Admission: $4.00-$7.00 IPFW Larson Ticket Office Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL of TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Theatre Friday, November 29 NUTCRACKER w/ FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic 7:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets available through the FW Ballet Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic 2:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets available through the FW Ballet Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets available through the FW Ballet Friday, December 7 REJOICE CONCERT 7:30 pm - APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne Tickets available through IPFW Larson Ticket Office Saturday, December 8 REJOICE CONCERT 7:30 pm - APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne Tickets available through IPFW Larson Ticket Office FWCC NEWS HARVEST CONCERT Congratulations TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, and CHAMBER SINGERS on an awesome concert weekend! Lots of wonderful comments were overheard! CONCERT VOUCHER WINNERS Thank you Harvest Concert audience members that participated in the online survey. The winners of four vouchers to a 2012-13 FWCC concert of choice (with the exception of the Spring Concert) are: Carole Slater, Yvonne Ramsey, and Ed Redmon. Congratulations! If you attended the concert but did not participate in the survey, we would still like to hear from you! Please visit the following site to complete the short survey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DZYVRZ5 OFFICE The FWCC office will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 in observation of Thanksgiving. E-NEWS The FWCC E-News will not be published next week but will resume Thursday, November 29. IT'S THE REAL THING! Drink the occasional Coke or Diet Coke? FWCC is asking for your help! Please save your bottle caps and cardboard boxes from all Coke products and turn them into us! We will use the numbers on the items for Coke Rewards. Prizes we "earn" will be used for the end of year drawings for the singers, associated with the plant sale. Caps & boxes (look for the numbers inside and send that portion!) can be turned in to the FWCC office or call (260.481.0481) for pick-up! THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL The Three Rivers Choral Festival workshop performance is at 4:00 pm, Saturday, November 17. This is a collaboration between IPFW and FWCC. Guest conductor is Dr. Robert Ward, Director of Choral Activities at The Ohio State University. The performance takes place in the Auer Performance Hall in the IPFW Rhinehart Music Center. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors, $4 non-IPFW students and available through the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. IPFW students may attend free with student ID. FWCC 40th ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS A "BIG" thank you to the sponsors for our 40th season!  $4000 sponsors include Sweetwater Sound, Prevail, Afdent, and Ed and Pam Pierson. Three Rivers Federal Credit Union is a $1400 sponsor. Interested in becoming a 40th Anniversary sponsor? We also have a $400 sponsorship level. If you are interested, contact Denice Beights at 260.481.0481 or dbeights@fwcchoir.org. IPFW'S ARTS WEEKLY FEATURES FWCC The IPFW College of Visual & Performing Arts sponsors a weekly televised program about the arts on WFWA PBS39. This past week Mr. Busarow was a guest and had the opportunity to talk about FWCC. To view the interview, click on the picture.       "Some people think music education is a privilege, but I think it's essential to being human." ~ Jewel - singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-11-16T02:59:28+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-15-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-15-2012#When:02:59:27Z   The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from  CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! CONCERTS - Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and four additional area high school choirs Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Admission: $4.00-$7.00 IPFW Larson Ticket Office Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL of TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Theatre Friday, November 29 NUTCRACKER w/ FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic 7:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets available through the FW Ballet Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic 2:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets available through the FW Ballet Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FW Ballet & FW Philharmonic 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets available through the FW Ballet Friday, December 7 REJOICE CONCERT 7:30 pm - APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne Tickets available through IPFW Larson Ticket Office Saturday, December 8 REJOICE CONCERT 7:30 pm - APPRENTICE, WHITLEY, LYRIC, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne Tickets available through IPFW Larson Ticket Office FWCC NEWS HARVEST CONCERT Congratulations TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, and CHAMBER SINGERS on an awesome concert weekend! Lots of wonderful comments were overheard! CONCERT VOUCHER WINNERS Thank you Harvest Concert audience members that participated in the online survey. The winners of four vouchers to a 2012-13 FWCC concert of choice (with the exception of the Spring Concert) are: Carole Slater, Yvonne Ramsey, and Ed Redmon. Congratulations! If you attended the concert but did not participate in the survey, we would still like to hear from you! Please visit the following site to complete the short survey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DZYVRZ5 OFFICE The FWCC office will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 in observation of Thanksgiving. E-NEWS The FWCC E-News will not be published next week but will resume Thursday, November 29. IT'S THE REAL THING! Drink the occasional Coke or Diet Coke? FWCC is asking for your help! Please save your bottle caps and cardboard boxes from all Coke products and turn them into us! We will use the numbers on the items for Coke Rewards. Prizes we "earn" will be used for the end of year drawings for the singers, associated with the plant sale. Caps & boxes (look for the numbers inside and send that portion!) can be turned in to the FWCC office or call (260.481.0481) for pick-up! THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL The Three Rivers Choral Festival workshop performance is at 4:00 pm, Saturday, November 17. This is a collaboration between IPFW and FWCC. Guest conductor is Dr. Robert Ward, Director of Choral Activities at The Ohio State University. The performance takes place in the Auer Performance Hall in the IPFW Rhinehart Music Center. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors, $4 non-IPFW students and available through the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. IPFW students may attend free with student ID. FWCC 40th ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS A "BIG" thank you to the sponsors for our 40th season!  $4000 sponsors include Sweetwater Sound, Prevail, Afdent, and Ed and Pam Pierson. Three Rivers Federal Credit Union is a $1400 sponsor. Interested in becoming a 40th Anniversary sponsor? We also have a $400 sponsorship level. If you are interested, contact Denice Beights at 260.481.0481 or dbeights@fwcchoir.org. IPFW'S ARTS WEEKLY FEATURES FWCC The IPFW College of Visual & Performing Arts sponsors a weekly televised program about the arts on WFWA PBS39. This past week Mr. Busarow was a guest and had the opportunity to talk about FWCC. To view the interview, click on the picture.       "Some people think music education is a privilege, but I think it's essential to being human." ~ Jewel - singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-11-16T02:59:27+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/tonights-the-night http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/tonights-the-night#When:15:50:38Z The Fort Wayne Children's Choir opens its 40th season tonight with its HARVEST CONCERT. Featuring the TREBLE, CONCERT, and YOUTH CHORALE choirs the program will include four commissioned pieces, including pieces by local composers Robert Hobby and Stephen Walley. The CHAMBER SINGERS will also perform. Tickets are available through the IPFW Larson Ticket Otffice or at the door. Advance ticket prices are $7/Adult and $5/Senior or Student. Tickets at the door are $8/Adult and $6/Senior or Student. The concert begins at 7:30 pm and takes place at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne Street, Fort Wayne. Parking is available off of the Berry Street side of the church. A second performance will be given tomorrow evening, Saturday, November 10.   Uncategorized, 2012-11-09T15:50:38+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-9-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-9-2012#When:15:25:47Z   The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds.   CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! CONCERTS - HARVEST CONCERT November 9 & 10 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE PRESALE TICKETS through  IPFW Larson Ticket Office: (purchase online or at the ticket office located in Gates Athletic Center) $7/ Adult $4/Senior & Student TICKETS at the DOOR: $8/Adult $5/Senior & Student Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and four additional area high school choirs Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Admission: $4.00-$7.00 IPFW Larson Ticket Office Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL OF TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Choir Friday, November 30 NUTCRACKER w/ FW BALLET & FW PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm – TREBLE Tickets available through the FW Ballet Arts United Center Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER 2:00 pm - TREBLE Tickets available through the FW Ballet Arts United Center FWCC NEWS FUNDRAISERS LaBraid Sales continue for the delicious pastries from LaBraid. Please contact the office, 481.0481 or info@fwcchoir.org. Sales are over November 16...don't delay! SCRIP Shop With Scrip will be revamping their order website in the near future.  Additionally, they will be changing the reload process so that reloads will be available immediately, like Scrip Now, instead of the next business day.  Other scrip news is below. **GFS and American Eagle are now available through ScripNow! **Long John Silver, American Girl and Chuck E. Cheese scrip are also now available **Bath and Body Works is offering a bonus value card.  $10 cards will have $10.50 on them and $25 cards will have $26.25 on them, an additional 5%. The rebate on the physical card will be unchanged at  13%.  **ScripNow! and reloads will give you an 18% rebate instead of a 13% rebate through November 9. **iTunes is offering a 5% bonus through 11/9. **JC Penney is offering a 1% bonus through 11/9. **Wet Seal has a 2% bonus through 12/28. CONCERTS Info Alumni Alumni may attend any FWCC sponsored choir performance FREE!! Hope to see you at the HARVEST CONCERT! Three Rivers Choral Festival The Three Rivers Choral Festival workshop performance is at 4:00 pm, Saturday, November 17. This is a collaboration between IPFW and FWCC. The workshop offers area high school choirs, IPFW University Singers, and the FWCC Youth Chorale an opportunity to meet and rehearse with various clinicians throughout the day long event. Guest conductor is Dr. Robert Ward, Director of Choral Activities at The Ohio State University. The performance takes place in the Auer Performance Hall in the IPFW Rhinehart Music Center. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors, $4 non-IPFW students and available through the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. IPFW students may attend free with student ID. (This is an IPFW sponsored event) Commissioned Work I Must Follow - Stephen Walley Mr. Walley has resided in Fort Wayne since September of 1990. His professional work involves teaching at Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne in the Department of Music, Indiana Wesleyan University in the School for Adult Professional Studies and Taylor University with the music department. Mr. Walley's educational background includes a Bachelor of Music degree from American Conservatory, Chicago, a church music diploma from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, and the Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Communications from Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL. He is a published composer/arranger and has produced a number of recordings with various artists. One of his current goals is to record a number of piano trio pieces featuring jazz treatments of favorite gospel songs from the early 20th century. He still maintains his work with standard classical piano repertory and participates in the music program at St. Joe United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne. I Must Follow was commissioned for the Fort Wayne Children's Choir in 1997. It will be performed this weekend at the Harvest Concert by the Youth Chorale. **Please note that the Youth Chorale, Treble, and Concert Choirs are performing a total of four commissioned pieces at the Harvest Concert. QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-11-09T15:25:47+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-1-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-november-1-2012#When:20:32:46Z   The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday, November 9 & November 10 HARVEST CONCERT 6:00 pm - CALL TIME 7:30 pm - CONCERT TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER SINGERS First Presbyterian Church 300 West Wayne Street IPFW Larson Ticket Office: $7/ Adult $4/Senior & Student (purchase online or at the ticket office located in Gates Athletic Center) TICKETS at the DOOR: $8/Adult $5/Senior & Student Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and four additional area high school choirs; IPFW SIngers Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Admission: $4.00-$7.00 IPFW Larson Ticket Office Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL of TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Theatre Friday, November 30 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets are available between 12-6 pm at Arts United ArtsTix Community Box Office, 303 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN or by calling 260.422.4226 Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 2:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center TIckets: See Above Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center TIckets: See Above 2012-13 Commissioned Work - "Life Has Loveliness" The commissioned piece honoring FWCC's 40th Anniversary Season has arrived. Composer Dominick DiOrio used the words of Barter by Sara Teadle (1184-1933)as his inspiration.  For more on Mr. DiOrio...http://dominickdiorio.com/bio.html Commissioned Work Hold the Light by Rollo Dilworth Prior to his appointment as Department Chair of Music Education at Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance, Mr. Dilworth was on faculty at North Park University in Chicago for 13 years where he was Director of Choral Activities and Music Education.  Before teaching at the college level, he taught choral and general music at the middle school level in his native town of St. Louis, MO.  During his pursuit of graduate degrees, Dilworth was accepted into the composition studios of Robert Harris, Pauline Oliveros, Marta Ptaszynska, and Robert Ray.For additional biography information please see the Boyer College website http://www.temple.edu/boyer/about/people/rollodilworth.asp Commissioned in 2004, Hold the Light will be one of the pieces performed by the Youth Chorale at the upcoming Harvest Concert November 9 & 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne Street. Three Rivers Choral Festival The Three Rivers Choral Festival workshop performance is at 4:00 pm, Saturday, November 17. This is a collaboration between IPFW and FWCC. The workshop offers area high school choirs, IPFW University Singers, and the FWCC Youth Chorale an opportunity to meet and rehearse with various clinicians throughout the day long event. Guest conductor is Dr. Robert Ward, Director of Choral Activities at The Ohio State University. The performance takes place in the Auer Performance Hall in the IPFW Rhinehart Music Center. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors, $4 non-IPFW students and available through the IPFW Larson Ticket Office. IPFW students may attend free with student ID. Facebook You may already know that FWCC has a Facebook page, but in case you didn't know...it's there! Postings include photos, concert information, updates, etc. Please check us out if you haven't and "LIKE" us while you are visiting the page! FWCC FACEBOOK PAGE BOO! and Rehearsal!               Riley Grim - A singing ghoul!       Uncategorized, 2012-11-01T20:32:46+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/the-fort-wayne-childrens-choir-presents-40th-anniversary-season-harvest-con http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/the-fort-wayne-childrens-choir-presents-40th-anniversary-season-harvest-con#When:03:52:24Z October 31, 2012: We encourage patrons to celebrate the crisp cool season of autumn with the fresh and clear voices of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is proud to announce their upcoming fall concerts as a part of their 40th Anniversary season and celebration. The Choir will perform the annual Harvest Concert on Friday and Saturday, November  9 and 10, at 7:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne, downtown Fort Wayne. The Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Youth Chorale, and Chamber Singers are performing for this evening of wonderful music. These choirs are comprised of singers ages 12-18 in the intermediate and advanced ensembles of the organization. The concert will include many Fort Wayne Children’s Choir commissioned works, including pieces from local composers Stephen Walley and Robert Hobby. Tickets are available by calling the Larson  Box Office at IPFW at 260.481.6555 or logging onto https://tkt.xosn.com//tickets/TicketHome.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28300. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets are $8 for Adults, $5 for students and seniors.   Uncategorized, 2012-11-01T03:52:24+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/40th-anniversary-commissioned-music http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/40th-anniversary-commissioned-music#When:13:44:11Z The commissioned piece honoring FWCC’s 40th Anniversary Season has arrived. Composer Dominick DiOrio used the words of BARTER by Sara Teadle (1184-1933)  as his inspiration.  For more on Mr. DiOrio…http://dominickdiorio.com/bio.html FWCC is looking forward to performing it for the community! BARTER Life has loveliness to sell, All beautiful and splendid things, Blue waves whitened on a cliff, Soaring fire that sways and sings, And children’s faces looking up Holding wonder like a cup. Life has loveliness to sell, Music like a curve of gold, Scent of pine trees in the rain, Eyes that love you, arms that hold, And for your spirit’s still delight, Holy thoughts that star the night. Spend all you have for loveliness, Buy it and never count the cost; For one white singing hour of peace Count many a year of strife well lost, And for a breath of ecstasy Give all you have been, or could be.   Uncategorized, 2012-10-31T13:44:11+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/harvest-concert http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/harvest-concert#When:05:11:40Z Friday, November 9 & Saturday, November 10 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER SINGERS First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne, Fort Wayne PRESALE TICKETS through IPFW Larson Ticket Office: $7/ Adult $4/Senior & Student (purchase online or at the ticket office located in Gates Athletic Center) TICKETS at the DOOR: $8/Adult $5/Senior & Student Uncategorized, 2012-10-31T05:11:40+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-27-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-27-2012#When:00:05:19Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday, November 9 Saturday, November 10 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER SINGERS First Presbyterian Church PRESALE TICKETS: IPFW Larson Ticket Office: (purchase online or at the ticket office located in Gates Athletic Center) $7/ Adult $4/Senior & Student TICKETS at the DOOR: $8/Adult $5/Senior & Student Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and four additional area high school choirs Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Admission: $4.00-$7.00 IPFW Larson Ticket Office Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL of TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Theatre Friday, November 30 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets are available between 12-6 pm at Arts United ArtsTix Community Box Office, 303 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN or by calling 260.422.4226 Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets: See Above Saturday, December 1 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Tickets:  See Above ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers fromthe past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC at info@fwcchoir.org  A Night at the Opera Enjoy an evening of opera performed by the IPFW Community Orchestra, Opera Ensemble, and IPFW choirs in the Rhinehart Music Center Auer Performance Hall Monday, October 29 at 7:30 pm. The groups will take the stage to bring you selections from Mozart's The Magic Flute, Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Verdi's La Traviata, and Copland's The Tenderland. Mr. Jonathan Busarow, FWCC Artistic Director, will perform a duet from La Traviata. Ticket sales through IPFW Larson Ticket Office: $7/adults $6/Seniors  (60 and older) $4 non-IPFW students FREE/IPFW students with ID LOGO Items The first week of every month, during the last 20 minutes of choir rehearsals held at Rhinehart Music Center, the Parent Organization will have FWCC logo items for sale. For your convenience, photos of the items are below. For your convenience photos and a price list can be found on the FWCC website under Gallery/Logo Items as well. If you are interested in purchasing items, please call or email the office, 260.481.0481 or info@fwcchoir.org Logo Bag w/ Zipper  - $10 Insulated Shopping Bag w/ Zipper - $5 Assorted Logo Items FWCC Logo Items & Prices: Nylon Drawstring Bag - $5 Umbrella - $12 Ceramic Mug - $5 Wristband - $2 Water bottle - $5 Lanyard - $3 Cup w/ Straw - $5 Key Chain - $2 Travel Mug - $10 Window Cling - $1 Oval Window Decal - $3 FWCC FUNDRAISERS Community Fun Book Sales for the "entertainment" book continue through October 31 (that's this coming Wednesday!). Books sell for $15/each and the singer earns $9 per book sold. For more information contact Tena Crist, 260.402.7676. QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2012-10-28T00:05:19+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-19-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-19-2012#When:23:09:06Z   The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday, November 9 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, CHAMBER, YOUTH CHORALE First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 10 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, CHAMBER, YOUTH CHORALE First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and area HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL of TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Theatre Friday, November 30 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Top 10 Reasons to Support the Arts for 2012 The following "Top 10 list" was created by Randy Cohen, a contributor to ARTSblog which is associated with Arts Watch, the free weekly cultural policy publication of Americans for the Arts. Why do you think our community needs to support the arts? The admin staff is developing its own Top 10 list that will be published upon its completion. Stay tuned...in the meantime the beginning of Randy's list. 1. True prosperity. The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us-fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. They help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age. When times are tough, the arts are salve for the ache. 2. Improved academic performance. Students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores, lower drop-out rates, and even better attitudes about community service-benefits reaped by students regardless of socioeconomic status. Students with four years of arts or music in high school average 100 points better on their SAT scores than students with one-half year or less. 3. Arts are an industry. Arts organizations are responsible businesses, employers, and consumers. Nonprofit arts organizations generate $135 billion in economic activity annually, supporting 4.1 million jobs and generating nearly $22.3 billion in government revenue. Investment in the arts supports jobs, generates tax revenues, and advances our creativity-based economy. For the complete Top 10 list...click here! Commissioned Work The Wonder of Why by Ken Medema Across the years, Ken has shared his passion for learning and discovery through storytelling and music with an     ever-growing circle of followers around the world. Ken has been performing for over 40 years in many different venues: churches, conventions, colleges, corporations and more, for groups ranging from 50 to 50,000 people. Though blind from birth, Ken sees and hears with heart and mind, singing stories from his audience and accenting themes and perspectives from speakers and workshop leaders. Ken custom designs every musical moment through improvisation and new composition to bring each event to life. Ken and his wife, Jane, make their home in Alameda, California. Together, they work on program designs for Ken's events, making time to explore new developments in religion, psychology and culture. They share a passion for movies (yes, Ken is an avid movie consumer), books, new music and politics, and love keeping up with two feisty grandchildren. The Wonder of Why was commissioned in 2003 and will be performed this year by the APPRENTICE, LYRIC, WHITLEY, TREBLE, and CONCERT choirs. To hear the song (unfortunately not recorded by FWCC!) visit http://www.myspace.com/kenmedema/music/songs/the-wonder-of-why-39353929 LOGO Items The first week of every month at choir rehearsals held at Rhinehart Music Center, the Parent Organization will have FWCC logo items for sale. For your convenience, photos of the items and price lists will be included in the e-news the last week of the month. FWCC FUNDRAISERS Community Fun Book Not much time left to purchase this year's Entertainment Book. Sales continue through October 31. Books sell for $15/each and the singer earns $9 per book sold. For more information contact Tena Crist, 260.402.7676. SCRIP *Oriental Trading is now available in a $25 card at a 9% profit.  Up to 5 cards may be redeemed at one time. *DSW is now available through ScripNow! *Jiffy Lube - 3% bonus *Bass Pro Shops - 2% bonus *Wet Seal - 2% bonus through December 28 For more information about SCRIP and how to get started...click here LaBraid...coming in two weeks!! The FWCC will be starting their annual sale of LaBraid, frozen cookie dough and braided pastries. Sales take place October 29 - November 16. Be prepared to stock up for the holidays! If you would like more information please call or email the office. 260.481.0481 or info@fwcchoir.org ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers fromthe past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC at info@fwcchoir.org Quick LInks Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-10-19T23:09:06+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-11-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-11-2012#When:00:07:32Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Saturday, October 13 HOG RUN Performance CONCERT CHOIR 8:45 am - Meet at IPFW 9:45 am - CALL TIME 10:10-10:30 am - PERFORM Friday, November 9 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, CHAMBER, YOUTH CHORALE First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 10 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, CHAMBER, YOUTH CHORALE First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and area HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL of TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Theatre Friday, November 30 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Commissioned Work The Fort Wayne Children's Choir has commissioned a piece for the choir almost every year for the past 17 years. Composers have lived locally and as far away as England. In celebration of our 40th season, the choirs are creating a CD that features the FWCC commissioned work (you will learn more about that closer to spring). Several of the pieces will be performed at this season's concerts. Beginning this week the E-NEWS will feature one of the commissioned composers and introduce his/her work. Praise the Lord, All Nations by Robert Hobby Robert A. Hobby currently serves as the Director of Music for Trinity English Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, where his responsibilities include playing for many of the worship services, overseeing the graded choral program, and managing the concerts the church offers. During his tenure at Trinity Church, Bob established a choral series with seventeen commissioned composers, hosted a regional convention of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, produced four recordings, and expanded the opportunities for music ministry. He continues to be a friend and supporter of FWCC. His work, Praise the Lord, All Nations, repeats the phrase "Praise the Lord, All Nations" in French, Latin, Spanish, German, and English. The piece will be sung by the CONCERT CHOIR at the Harvest Concert on November 9 & 10. This music was first performed during the 1996 season. Congratulations! Concordia High School announced this past week that Megan LaCroix, was selected for the 2012-13 Indiana All-State Choir. Congratulations, Megan! LOGO Items The first week of every month at choir rehearsals held at Rhinehart Music Center, the Parent Organization will have FWCC logo items for sale. For your convenience, photos of the items and price lists will be included in the e-news the last week of the month. FWCC FUNDRAISERS Community Fun Book Entertainment Book sales continue through October 31. Books sell for $15/each and the singer earns $9 per book sold. For more information contact Tena Crist, 260.402.7676. SCRIP Please have your scrip order in by noon on Monday, October 15.  Scrip news follows:  *Oriental Trading is now available in a $25 card at a 9% profit.  Up to 5 cards may be redeemed at one time. *DSW is now available through ScripNow! *Jiffy Lube - 3% bonus *Bass Pro Shops - 2% bonus *Wet Seal - 2% bonus through December 28 SCRIP is a great way to put money into your singer's account. For more information about SCRIP and how to get started...click here ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers from the past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC at info@fwcchoir.org QUICK LINKS FACEBOOK YOUTUBE Uncategorized, 2012-10-12T00:07:32+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-4-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-october-4-2012#When:20:26:48Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday, November 9 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, CHAMBER, YOUTH CHORALE First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 10 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - TREBLE, CONCERT, CHAMBER, YOUTH CHORALE First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - YOUTH CHORALE and area HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS Auer Performance Hall - IPFW Rhinehart Music Center Sunday, November 25 FESTIVAL of TREES 3:00 pm - LYRIC Embassy Theatre Friday, November 30 NUTCRACKER w/ FORT WAYNE BALLET & PHILHARMONIC 8:00 pm - TREBLE Arts United Center Wednesdays on Wayne Street - Irene Ator First Wayne Street United Methodist Church and Adventures in Musical Arts is featuring Irene Ator playing a program of her favorite organ music at the 30 minute concert October 10. Music begins at 12:15 pm. A light lunch is available after each concert for $5. Mrs. Ator is the accompanist for the Youth Chorale and Concert choirs.   Do-Re-Mi of Music Literacy A total of 39 music educators and music education students registered for this evening's Choral Music Educator's Workshop. Mr. Busarow is the guest clinician. ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers fromthe past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC at info@fwcchoir.org Fort 4 Fitness Thank you to all of the parents and singers that made it through traffic, street closings, and THOUSANDS of people to get to Parkview Field on time last Saturday! The kids sounded great and it was a nice start to Saturday's race.  LOGO Items The first week of every month at choir rehearsals held at Rhinehart Music Center, the Parent Organization will have FWCC logo items for sale. For your convenience, photos of the items and price lists will be included in the e-news the last week of the month. FWCC FUNDRAISERS Community Fun Book Entertainment Book sales continue through October 31. Books sell for $15/each and the singer earns $9 per book sold. For more information contact Tena Crist, 260.402.7676. SCRIP SCRIP is a great way to put money into a singer's account. For more information about SCRIP and how to get started...click here In the Spotlight... Cory Troutner, FWCC Board Member Cory is a native of Fort Wayne and graduated from Homestead High School. He left the mid-west for Texas and Colorado, working as a horse trainer in each state for five years. While in Colorado, he met and married his wife, Brianna. They returned to Indiana where Cory worked for a year as a carpenter in his family's business. The Troutners rebuilt their horse business locally and spent 20-30 weeks a year showing horses. Cory returned to the family business, Troutner Construction, as Director of Marketing and Business Development to allow more time to be spent with his family. In addition to serving on the FWCC board, he volunteers for the Blue Jackets, an organization that provides adult ex-offenders the tools and opportunities to become productive members of society. He also coaches his son in baseball, basketball, and football. Cory lives in southwest Fort Wayne with his wife and two children, son, Cyler, and daughter, Aubrey. He continues in the horse business giving lessons and judging at shows. FWCC Volunteer Coordinator Tena Crist has joined the FWCC staff as Volunteer Coordinator. Her responsibilities include recruiting and organizing volunteers for FWCC related events, performances, etc. Tena is a native of Fort Wayne and is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in health care administration. She graduated from IPFW with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Volunteering has been a part of Tena's life. While employed at KUS she served as the company coordinator for the Junior Achievement Bowl-A-Thon and March of Dimes fundraisers and United Way workplace campaign. She also has volunteered with her church and other activities in the community. The mother of five daughters, she still finds time to volunteer for FWCC having chaperoned two tours and serving as chair of the Parent Organization fundraising committee. Tena and her husband, Jeremy, still have three daughters at home. Daughters Brianna and Maura, participate in the Concert and Lyric choirs, respectively. Choir Photos... THANK YOU to the alumni and parents starting to send in photos for the 40th celebration.Photos can be dropped off in envelopes marked with the owner's name, phone number & email address OR email them as attachments (JPG format preferred) to speirce@fwcchoir.org QUICKLINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2012-10-04T20:26:48+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-27-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-27-2012#When:00:14:40Z CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Saturday, September 29 FORT 4 FITNESS 9:00 am - PERFORM TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Parkview Field Friday, November 9 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - PERFORM TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, & CHAMBER SINGERS First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 10 HARVEST CONCERT 7:30 pm - PERFORM TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, & CHAMBER SINGERS First Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 17 THREE RIVERS CHORAL FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - PERFORM YOUTH CHORALE & AREA HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS Guest Conductor: Dr. Robert Ward, Director of Choral Activities, The Ohio State University Do-Re-Mi of Music Literacy - A Choral Music Educator's Workshop On Thursday, October 4, 4:30-7:30 pm, FWCC is hosting a workshop for area choral music educators. Mr. Jonathan Busarow, FWCC artistic director, is the guest clinician and will present a Kodaly-oriented program of exploring music literacy in the classroom. Know a music educator? There is still time to register. Cost is $35 and includes a light meal and materials. Call or email the office to register...260.481.0481 or info@fwcchoir.org ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers fromthe past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC at info@fwcchoir.org  WHITLEY REGIONAL CHOIR The FWCC Whitley Regional Choir performed this past Saturday at the Autumn Festival at Morsches Park, Columbia City. Although challenged by some blustery weather, they performed with poise! Way to go, singers! CARMNINA BURANA Well done, CONCERT CHOIR! Your voices were a wonderful addition to this past weekend's performance of Carmina Burana. LOGO Items The first week of every month at choir rehearsals held at Rhinehart Music Center, the Parent Organization will have FWCC logo items for sale. For your convenience, photos and pricing follow. If you are an APPRENTICE or WHITLEY parent, and would like to purchase an item, please email or call the office and arrangements will be made to get it to you, 260.481.0481 or info@fwcchoir.org FWCC Insulated Shopping Bag w/ Zipper - $5                                                                                                                                                                                                FWCC Logo Bag w/ Zipper - $10                  FWCC Assorted Logo Items - Prices & Description Below...                                                                                                                                                                                               FWCC Logo Items & Prices: Nylon Drawstring Bag - $5 Umbrella - $12 Ceramic Mug - $5 Wristband - $2 Water bottle - $5 Lanyard - $3 Cup w/ Straw - $5 Key Chain - $2 Travel Mug - $10 Window Cling - $1 Oval Window Decal - $3 FWCC FUNDRAISERS Community Fun Book Sales for the "entertainment" book continue through October 31. Books sell for $15/each and the singer earns $9 per book sold. For more information contact Tena Crist, 260.402.7676. SCRIP The next scrip order is due by noon on Monday, October 1.  Below is a list of current specials and scrip news. Aeropostale is now available for reload. Logan's - 2% bonus rebate Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic - 2% bonus rebate Joann Fabric - 2% bonus rebate AutoZone - 1% bonus rebate Domino's - 2% bonues rebate Groupon - 2% bonus rebate Jiffy Lube - 3% bonus rebate Marriott - 2% bonus rebate PetSmart - 2% bonus rebate For more information about SCRIP and how to get started...click here Marketing Internship FWCC is searching for a marketing intern for this choral season. The candidate must have attended and graduated from a northeast Indiana college within the past six months or be currently enrolled. The position is paid. Interested candidates can contact Susie Peirce at 260.481.0481 or speirce@fwcchoir.org Choir Photos... THANK YOU to the alumni and parents starting to send in photos for the 40th celebration.Photos can be dropped off in envelopes marked with the owner's name, phone number & email address OR email them as attachments (JPG format preferred) to speirce@fwcchoir.org QUICK LINKS Facebook  YouTube   Uncategorized, 2012-09-28T00:14:40+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-20-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-20-2012#When:20:44:56Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday, September 21 CARMINA BURANA 7:30 pm - CALL TIME 8:00-9:30 pm - PERFORM CONCERT CHOIR Arts United Center Saturday, September 22 AUTUMN FESTIVAL 3:30 pm - CALL TIME 4:00 pm - PERFORM WHITLEY Morsches Park Sunday, September 23 CARMINA BURANA 2:00 pm - CALL TIME 2:30-4:00 pm PERFORM CONCERT CHOIR Arts United Center Saturday, September 29 FORT 4 FITNESS 8:30 am - CALL TIME 9:00 am - PERFORM TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Parkview Field ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers fromthe past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC at info@fwcchoir.org  Under the Influence This evening at 9 PM on NIPR station WBOI-89.1 Bob Roets, former FWCC board of directors chair, will be interviewed on the program Under the Influence. Bob will share the top five songs that influenced his career in the music business. Bob is the owner of The Wooden Nickel and has two sons that are FWCC alumni. CONCERT CHOIR The performances of CARMINA BURANA have arrived! The CONCERT CHOIR has worked hard and is ready! Joining the "adult" choir are several YOUTH CHORALE members. Tickets are still available for the Friday and Sunday performances. CARMINA BURANA Ticket Information Performances September 21 & 23, 2012 Ticket are available through Heartland's web site http://store.heartlandchorale.org/products/tickets-heartland-sings-carmina-burana or ArtsTix Community Box Office, 422-4226. FWCC MISSION - Music Education & Literacy The FWCC mission statement plainly states that "artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds"is our goal. With that in mind, we want parents and patrons to know what the choirs are working on in their respective rehearsals. Periodically the E-News will provide you an update from each respective choir director on the singers' progress. Preparatory/Mrs. LaCroix - "The Prep choir began using the tuning forks when they sang their names, began playing with ta and ta-di rhythm and sang MANY songs.  We were happy to welcome 2 new members!" Apprentice Choir/Mrs. LaCroix - "Awesome rehearsal last week! We began work with the Do-Re-Mi ball, began practicing rhythms, and began the piece Wind on the Hill (text by A.A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh, music by Victoria Eble-Sabo) This is THE Apprentice piece that all Apprentice singers have sung since the beginning of time!  We ended by singing our 2 pieces from Choralfest for our new singers that we're not at Choralfest." Lyric/Mrs. Boester - "The Lyric Choir is hard at work on preparations for the CD recording session.  We have had just two rehearsals and we are already starting to sound great!" Whitley/Mrs. Emmert - "The FWCC Whitley Choir has been busy preparing to sing for the Autumn Festival this Saturday at Morsches Park in Columbia City. We have been working on proper tone and singing technique." Treble/Mr. Snyder - "During this week's rehearsal, the Treble Choir will be continuing to try out their newly-divided parts as we prepare "I Must Follow," "The Wonder of Why," and "The Earth's Been Good to Me" for the Sweetwater recording sessions that are approaching quickly." Concert Choir/Mr. Busarow - "This coming Monday we will take a day off after a hard week of preparing and performing Carmina Burana.  On Wednesday, when we resume rehearsals, we will start to tackle new sections of "Dancing Song" and continue our preparation for the recording session which is coming up!" Youth Chorale/Mr. Busarow - "The Youth Chorale is working on new music of "Hold the Light", part of the FWCC Composition Commission recording project.  This piece was written by Rollo Dilworth for FWCC in 2004.  We will also continue working on John Rutter's "O Be Joyful" as we delve into mixed meter and new harmonies." FWCC FUNDRAISERS - Contact the office unless otherwise indicated (260.481.0481) Community Fun Book Sales for the "entertainment" book take place September 5 through October 31. Books sell for $15/each and the singer earns $9 per book sold. For more information contact Tena Crist, 260.402.7676. Yankee Candle Great gifts! Sales are from September 10-September 21. Each singer receives 35% profit of the his/her total sales. SCRIP Specials and news: Red Robin-2% bonus rebate Coldwater Creek-2% bonus Journeys-3% bonus Shutterfly-2% bonus Aeropostale-2% bonus Express-2% bonus Hallmark-1% bonus iTunes-5% bonus ScripNow 10% bonus L.L.Bean-1% bonus - 9/8-9/28/12 Logan's Roadhouse-2% bonus Walmart - 9/13-12/23 - save 10 cents a gallon   For more information about SCRIP and how to get started...click here Nonprofit Arts Initiative Internship The Fort Wayne Children's Choir has received funds for a marketing intern for the  2012-13 season. Intern candidates must be current students enrolled in a northeast Indiana college or university program. FWCC has posted the position online at IndianaIntern.net and Arts United. Choir Photos... THANK YOU to the alumni and parents starting to send in photos for the 40th celebration. Do you have photos taken while your singer (or singers) have participated in Fort Wayne Children's Choir? Please identify the photo contents, if possible, and year and email or send them to FWCC. All photographs dropped off for scanning or copying will be returned to the provider. Photos can be dropped off in envelopes marked with the owner's name, phone number & email address OR email them as attachments (JPG format preferred) to speirce@fwcchoir.org QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2012-09-20T20:44:56+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-13-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-13-2012#When:00:34:57Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Tuesday, September 18 11:00 am-10:00 pm Ruby Tuesday Fundraiser (for FWCC to receive 20% of the receipt, a flyer must be presented) Wednesday, September 19 11:00 am-10:00 pm Ruby Tuesday Fundraiser (for FWCC to receive 20% of the receipt, a flyer must be presented) Friday, September 21 CARMINA BURANA 8:00-9:30 pm - PERFORM CONCERT CHOIR Arts United Center Saturday, September 22 UNIFORM SALE 10:00 am-1:00 pm Holy Cross Lutheran Church AUTUMN FESTIVAL 4:00 pm - PERFORM WHITLEY Morsches Park Sunday, September 23 CARMINA BURANA 2:30-4:00 pm PERFORM CONCERT CHOIR Arts United Center Saturday, September 29 FORT 4 FITNESS 9:00 am - PERFORM TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Parkview Field ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers from the past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC, info@fwcchoir.org IPFW Community Arts Academy Check out the CAA for private music instruction. Classes for the early fall started September 8. Private lessons can begin anytime! Please visit the CAA website at www.ipfw.edu/vpa/caa for detailed schedules and pricing, or call CAA director Melinda Haines at 260.481.6059. CONCERT Choir Retreat The Concert Choir will have their retreat this Friday through Sunday at Bear Lake Camp, Albion. Approximately 35 singers will be attending. Time will be spent working on music skills, preparing for upcoming concerts, and team building. FWCC FUNDRAISERS September kicks off the FWCC fundraisers. The singer receives the profit! The fundraisers provide an opportunity to do pre-holiday gift purchases as well as benefiting your favorite singer. September Fundraiser - September 18 & 19 Help us celebrate our 40th at Ruby Tuesday's! Mark your calendars! September 18 & 19 will be the first FWCC fundraiser! Ruby Tuesday will give us 20% of the sales that day when a flyer is presented at the table. To download a flyer... click here. Flyers will not be available at the door as previously promoted! Community Fun Book Sales for the "entertainment" book take place September 5 through October 31. Books sell for $15/each and the singer earns $9 per book sold. If you are interested in purchasing a book and don't know a choir member, please call or email the office, 260.481.0481 or info@fwcchoir.org. Proceeds will be give to the Parent Organization to use in projects supporting FWCC. Yankee Candle Great gifts! Sales are from September 10-September 21. Each singer receives 35% profit of the his/her total sales. If you are interested in purchasing candles and don't know a choir member, please call or email the office, 260.481.0481 or info@fwcchoir.org. Proceeds will be give to the Parent Organization to use in projects supporting FWCC. SCRIP The next scrip order is due at noon on Satuday, September 15. For more information about SCRIP and how to get started...click here Specials and news: Red Robin-2% bonus rebate Coldwater Creek-2% bonus Journeys-3% bonus Shutterfly-2% bonus Aeropostale-2% bonus Express-2% bonus Hallmark-1% bonus iTunes-5% bonus ScripNow 10% bonus L.L.Bean-1% bonus - 9/8-9/28/12 Logan's Roadhouse-2% bonus Walmart - 9/13-12/23 - save 10 cents a gallon UNIFORM SALE - Adult Volunteers Needed The Uniform Sale takes place on Saturday, September 22 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Volunteers are needed for two shifts, 10 AM - 12 PM and 11 AM - 1 PM. If you can help, please call the office, 260.481.0481 or send an email, info@fwcchoir.org with your preferred time and a phone number. Thank you! Nonprofit Arts Initiative Internship Arts United has announced the recipients of Nonprofit Arts Initiative Internship (NAII) awards. The Fort Wayne Children's Choir has received funds for a marketing intern for the 2012-13 season. The initiative "provides the resources needed to cultivate and retain talent in northeast Indiana's arts organizations. Interns must be current students enrolled in a northeast Indiana college or university program. FWCC has posted the position online at IndianaIntern.net and Arts United. If you know someone that is interested, please have them contact Susie Peirce, 260.481.0481 or speirce@fwcchoir.org Excelsior! Ever Upward! Congratulations to Michelle Bonahoom, Indiana Junior Classical League (JCL) president, and her fellow Latin club members, on Homestead High School's recent fourth place finish in the national JCL competition at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. The local club created large JCL banners educating people on the value and culture of Latin. The banners appeared at more than 60 locations throughout the community. CARMINA BURANA Ticket Information Performances September 21 & 23, 2012 Ticket are available through Heartland's web site http://store.heartlandchorale.org/products/tickets-heartland-sings-carmina-burana or ArtsTix Community Box Office, 422-4226. Choir Photos... Do you have photos taken while your singer (or singers) have participated in Fort Wayne Children's Choir? The photos will be considered for use in the 40th anniversary celebration. Please identify the photo contents, if possible, and year. All photographs dropped off for scanning or copying will be returned to the provider. Photos can be dropped off in envelopes marked with the owner's name, phone number & email address OR email them as attachments (JPG format preferred) to speirce@fwcchoir.org QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-09-14T00:34:57+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-6-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-september-6-2012#When:02:43:41Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday, September 14 - Sunday, September 16 5:00 pm - Retreat: CONCERT Choir Friday, September 21 8:00 pm - Carmina Burana; Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, and Heartland Sings Arts United Center Saturday, September 22 10:00 am-1:00 pm - UNIFORM SALE Holy Cross Lutheran Church Sunday, September 23 2:30 pm - Carmina Burana; Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, and Heartland Sings Arts United Center Saturday, September 29 9:00 am - Fort 4 Fitness TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Choir Photos... If you have photos of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir, the staff would like to copy/scan them or to be considered for use in the 40th anniversary celebration. Please identify the photo contents, if possible, and year. All photographs dropped off or sent for scanning/copying will be returned to the provider. Please include name, address, phone number & email address OR the photos can be emailed as attachments (JPG format preferred) to speirce@fwcchoir.org ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers from the past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC, info@fwcchoir.org IPFW Community Arts Academy The IPFW Community Arts Academy (CAA) is gearing up for Saturday classes this fall, beginning September 8. Besides private music instruction, the CAA teaches classes in art, dance and theatre for grades PreK-12. Please visit the CAA website at www.ipfw.edu/vpa/caa for detailed schedules and pricing, or call CAA director Melinda Haines at 260-481-6059. Air Show Performance... Fabulous! Wonderful! The kids really sounded great! Just a few of the comments following the TREBLE, CONCERT, and YOUTH CHORALE's performance at the opening of the National Guard Air Show last Friday! Thank you singers, parents, and staff for a great kick-off for the event!   September Fundraiser - September 18 & 19 Help us celebrate our 40th at  Ruby Tuesday's! Mark your calendars! September 18 & 19 will be the first FWCC fundraiser! Ruby Tuesday will give us 20% of the sales that day when a flyer is presented at the table. Volunteers will be passing out flyers at the door. To download a flyer... click here SCRIP Want to save money on gas? Now through December 23 anyone  using a WALMART gift card at the WALMART fuel centers will save 10 cents a gallon. Buy a Walmart gift card through SCRIP and earn money towards your singers tuition and/or tour! AND save gas money! It's a great deal all the way around! For more information about SCRIP and how to get started...click here UNIFORM SALE - Adult Volunteers Needed The Uniform Sale takes place on Saturday, September 22 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Volunteers are needed for two shifts, 10 AM - 12 PM and 11 AM - 1 PM. If you can help, please call the office, 260.481.0481 or send an email, info@fwcchoir.org with your preferred time and a phone number. Thank you!   What's the KODALY METHOD? You might have heard or read (on our web site) that FWCC choir directors use the Kodaly (pronounced Ko-dye) Method in choral training. The e-news will occasionally feature some insight into terms and techniques used by FWCC directors. Zoltán Kodály, one of the most significant composers of the 20th century, as well as a musicologist and music educator, developed a new, coherent, comprehensive music educational system in Hungary which is known as the Kodály Method.This new music educational philosophy involves the very best principles of many traditional methods, which, combined with his original new ideas provide a masterful combination of music theory and practice in full unity. Kodály's Method was adopted in Hungarian schools over 50 years ago, producing a more literate nation. The outstanding results achieved in musical education in Hungary have justly attracted the attention of the whole musical world.The Kodály Method wasn't intended to replace instrumental or vocal training, rather it preceeds it and compliments it. The aim of the Kodály Method is to develop high musicianship, which results in better musicians. Kodaly defined the four characteristics which make the good musician:  1.  Developed inner hearing 2.  Developed mind 3.  Developed emotional sensitivity 4.  Developed technique All four elements must be trained simultaneously in good balance. This new educational approach was not designed only for the few exceptionally talented students, but for the life-long enrichment of the average child. The Kodály Concept has far reaching implications in psychology, logic, reasoning, aesthetics, creativity, etc. Students develop their musical thinking, and inner hearing through direct experience with the elements of music. Through the relative Solmization System, the use of syllables like Do, Re, and Mi, they develop the sense of relative pitch; through a special rhythm training, they resolve not only rhythmical problems, but muscular co-ordination problems as well. The Kodály Method sharpens the student's mental faculties, mental discipline, and develops a high level of imagination. As a result of this training the student can learn to hear the printed notes in his imagination, without the help of an instrument, and also will be able to write down music to which he listens. As Kodály said, "a good musician should hear what he sees, and he should see (in terms of notes) what he hears." In other words, through the Kodály Method, a student is led to the ability to read music as if she were reading in her mother tongue. Good reading ability is the first step in becoming an excellent sight-reader, who can play any piece of music the first time she sees it. This is inevitable for those who choose music as a career, and fascinating fun for those who learn music just for pure enjoyment. This Method was designed not only to train professional musicians, but audiences as well. From information provided online by the Main Line Conservatory of Music, Ardmore, PA.http://www.mlc-music.com/kodalyMethod.html"> http://www.mlc-music.com/kodalyMethod.html CARMINA BURANA Ticket Information Performances September 21 & 23, 2012 Carmina Burana is a mainstay of concert performances, typically involving a particular orchestra, their chorus and soloists. This year the Fort Wayne Community has the opportunity to see this famous work staged as a full ballet featuring the Fort Wayne Ballet, the professional singers of Heartland, the Heartland Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and the Concert Choir of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. The performances will take place at the Arts United Center. Ticket are available through Heartland's web site http://store.heartlandchorale.org/products/tickets-heartland-sings-carmina-burana or ArtsTix Community Box Office, 422-4226. ArtsTix does not have online ordering for these performances. QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Uncategorized, 2012-09-07T02:43:41+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-august-30-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-august-30-2012#When:03:19:47Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds.   CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday , August 31 5:15 pm - Call Time Air Guard Base (use MAIN Entrance off of FERGUSON Road; follow the road onto the base and turn right on the first road, drive to the "T" and turn left. Drop off is at the Headquarters building on your left, across the street from the hangar where the performance will take place) 6:00 pm - Performance Air Show - Air Guard Base Fort Wayne International Airport (Baer Field) TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Monday, September 3 LABOR DAY - FWCC Office is Closed Friday, September 14 - Sunday, September 16 5:00 pm - Retreat CONCERT Friday, September 21 8:00 pm - Carmina Burana; Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, and Heartland Sings Arts United Center Sunday, September 23 2:30 pm - Carmina Burana; Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, and Heartland Sings Arts United Center Saturday, September 29 Time TBA - Fort 4 Fitness TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Choir Memorabilia - If you have access to choir artifacts 10 years and older, please notify the office. The 40th anniversary committee is working on collecting items for a documentary video about the past 40 years! info@fwcchoir.org ALUMNI - Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers from the past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC, info@fwcchoir.org IPFW Community Arts Academy The IPFW Community Arts Academy (CAA) is gearing up for Saturday classes this fall, beginning September 8. Please visit the CAA website at www.ipfw.edu/vpa/caa for detailed schedules and pricing, or call CAA director Melinda Haines at 260-481-6059. FWCC Office The FWCC office will be closed Monday, September 3 in honor of Labor Day. Normal hours resume on Tuesday.  Have a safe and relaxing holiday! Auditions - Placement Conferences Placement conferences (auditions) are closed for the 2012-13 season. However, if  you know a child that is interested in the choir, please have them contact the office so FWCC can add their family to the E-NEWS and also to our contact list for spring placement conferences. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and support of FWCC...it is going to be an exciting 40th season! Taste of the Arts The YOUTH CHORALE's performance at Saturday's Taste of the Arts Festival was an awesome kick-off for the upcoming season! People walking by stopped to listen and people asked "who are they?" WOW!! Thank you to parents Mary Ann Baker and Michele Dollarhite, FWCC board members Diana Bartscht, Debbie Powers, and Jeff Fritz, volunteers Kristen Snyder and Nicole Busarow, choir member Mariah Fritz, and staff Jonathan Busarow, Steve Snyder, and Susie Peirce for staffing the booth! A special thank you to Bob and Kim Grant for sharing their canopy with FWCC! It made a HOT day bearable! September Fundraiser & SCRIP 40 years young...Ruby Celebration at Ruby Tuesday's The 40th year anniversary symbol is the ruby. Help us celebrate our 40th at Ruby Tuesday's! Mark your calendars! September 18 & 19 will be the first FWCC fundraiser! Ruby Tuesday will give us 20% of the sales that day when a flyer is presented at the table. Volunteers will be passing out flyers at the door. To download a flyer...click here. (Please open the document on a computer...it has been reported several times that the dates and place are incorrect when opened on a smart phone. Purchase a SCRIP card for Ruby Tuesday by noon on September 1 and it is a WIN-WIN for your singer and for the organization. Purchasing SCRIP is a great way to earn money for your singer's account (tuition & tour!) and using the SCRIP at Ruby Tuesday's makes a donation to FWCC (20% of the receipt!) To get started on SCRIP, or for more information...click here! CARMINA BURANA Ticket Information Performances September 21 & 23, 2012 Carmina Burana is a mainstay of concert performances, typically involving a particular orchestra, their chorus and soloists. This year the Fort Wayne Community has the opportunity to see this famous work staged as a full ballet featuring the Fort Wayne Ballet, the professional singers of Heartland, the Heartland Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and the Concert Choir of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. The performances will take place at the Arts United Center. Ticket are available through Heartland's web site http://store.heartlandchorale.org/products/tickets-heartland-sings-carmina-burana                                                                                                                                                or ArtsTix Community Box Office, 422-4226. As of Wednesday, ArtsTix does not have online ordering for these performances. QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube       Uncategorized, 2012-08-31T03:19:47+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-august-23-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-august-23-2012#When:20:51:41Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Friday, August 24 - Saturday, August 25 5:00 pm - Retreat YOUTH CHORALE First Wayne Street United Methodist Church Saturday, August 25 Noon-7 pm - Taste of the Arts; FWCC Booth Freimann Square 2:30 pm - Taste of the Arts YOUTH CHORALE Arts United Center, Main Street Friday , August 31 6:00 pm - Performance Air Show - Air Guard Base Fort Wayne International Airport (Baer Field) TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Friday, September 14 - Sunday, September 16 5:00 pm - Retreat CONCERT Friday, September 21 8:00 pm - CARMINA BURANA; Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, and Heartland Sings Arts United Center Sunday, September 23 2:30 pm - CARMIN BURANA; Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, and Heartland Sings Arts United Center Saturday, September 29 Time TBA - Fort 4 Fitness TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Choir Memorabilia If you have access to choir artifacts 10 years and older, please notify the office. The 40th anniversary committee is working on collecting items for a documentary video about the past 40 years! info@fwcchoir.org ALUMNI Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers from the past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC, info@fwcchoir.org   IPFW Community Arts Academy The IPFW Community Arts Academy (CAA) is gearing up for Saturday classes this fall, beginning September 8. CAA sponsored Choralfest 2012. Besides private music instruction, the CAA teaches classes in art, dance and theatre for grades PreK-12. Please visit the CAA website at www.ipfw.edu/vpa/caa for detailed schedules and pricing, or call CAA director, Melinda Haines at 260-481-6059. Heads Up! The FWCC office will be closed Monday, September 3 in honor of Labor Day. AUDITIONS! Do you know someone that would like to sing with the Fort Wayne Children's Choirs? Appointments for an audition with Mr. Busarow can be made by calling the office, 260.481.0481. (Don't forget first & second graders for Preparatory Choir!) Taste of the Arts - Saturday If you are attending the Taste of the Arts festival this weekend, please look for the FWCC booth! The weather looks like it is going to cooperate...so hope to see you there! Lots of great food and performances! The Youth Chorale performs at 2:30! "What Did You Think of the Concert Survey" Winners Thank you to the concert goers that participated in the post Choralfest Concert online survey. The following people won four tickets to their night of choice for the Harvest Concert in November. Watch for the survey link in the concert programs, starting with the Friday Harvest Concert. The winners are: Robin Simunek, Cheryl Hoium, Laura Gerig, and Ed & Kim Redmon. Congratulations! September Fundraiser 40 years young...Ruby Celebration at Ruby Tuesday's The 40th year anniversary symbol is the ruby. Help us celebrate our 40th at Ruby Tuesday's! Mark your calendars! September 18 & 19 will be the first FWCC fundraiser! Ruby Tuesday will give us 20% of the sales that day when a flyer is presented at the table. Volunteers will be passing out flyers at the door. To download a flyer...click here. (Please open the document on a computer...it has been reported several times that the dates and place are incorrect when opened on a smart phone. CARMINA BURANA Ticket Information Performances September 21 & 23, 2012 Carmina Burana is a mainstay of concert performances, typically involving a particular orchestra, their chorus and soloists. This year the Fort Wayne Community has the opportunity to see this famous work staged as a full ballet featuring the Fort Wayne Ballet, the professional singers of Heartland, the Heartland Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and the Concert Choir of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. The performances will take place at the Arts United Center. Ticket are available through Heartland's web site http://store.heartlandchorale.org/products/tickets-heartland-sings-carmina-burana or ArtsTix Community Box Office, 422-4226. ArtsTix does not have online ordering. "In the Spotlight" Debbie Powers - FWCC Board of Directors Member Ms. Powers is  a native of Fort Wayne, and revesl in the positive features of her city.  She has always been impressed by the cultural events and features of a city this size. Debbie is also the proud parent of a former Fort Wayne Children's Choir member.  Her daughter was very active in the Choir during her elementary and middle school years.  The highlight of her music career was the trip to Europe.   She believes the choir helped her daughter to amplify her love of music.  It has been Ms. Power's desire to give back to this organization far beyond her daughter's tenure, as she knows how much the youth of our city can gain from participation.  Her service as a volunteer board member, who helps shape the future of the Choir, provides her with this opportunity.   Recently, Ms. Power's son graduated from the Jacob School of Music at Indiana University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies.  His major instrument is the saxophone.   She is proud of her children and of their love of music.  Their enthusiasm has heightened her appreciation of music of all kinds and at many levels.  Ms. Power's community involvement includes: Junior Achievement volunteer, teaching middle and high school students; former board member, adviser and group facilitator for Erin's House for Grieving Children, and currently a member of the organization's annual fundraiser committee for its Common Bond Breakfast; Board Member of Caring About People Inc.; Membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; Women in NAACP and It Is Well with My Soul, a program affiliate of the African/African American Historical Society. Her accomplishments include one of the 101 Connectors, a project spearheaded in 2011 by Leadership Fort Wayne to better understand northeast Indiana individuals who can influence change.  She was the 2011 Recipient of the JA Golden Achievement Award for Excellence in Economic Education.  Debbie completed a second four-year term as president of the local Delta Sigma Theta chapter on June 30. She is currently employed at Kelly Services as a Staffing Supervisor. Quick Links FACEBOOK YouTube   Uncategorized, 2012-08-23T20:51:41+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-receives-arts-united-grant http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-receives-arts-united-grant#When:17:34:31Z Arts United has announced the awards for the Indiana Arts Commission’s Regional Initiative Grant program. This is the thirteenth year that FWCC has received funding from the Indiana Arts Commission and the organization is one of sixteen organizations that received a 2013 Arts Organization Support grant.  Viewed as a valued community arts partner, the Fort Wayne Children's Choir particpates in numerous community activities, including FAME, the Embassy Festival of Trees, TinCaps baseball games, etc. On September 21 & 23, FWCC joins the Fort Wayne Ballet and Heartland Sings in the local production of CARMINA BURANA at the Arts United Center in downtown Fort Wayne. Read the formal Arts United announcement... Uncategorized, 2012-08-20T17:34:31+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-august-20-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-august-20-2012#When:17:11:48Z The mission of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Tuesday, August 21 6:15 pm - Call Time 7:00 pm - TinCaps Game, National Anthem ALL CHOIRS!! Parkview Field Saturday, August 25 2:30 pm - Taste of the Arts YOUTH CHORALE Arts United Center, Main Street Friday , August 31 5:15 pm - Call Time 6:00 pm - Performance Air Show - Air Guard Base Fort Wayne International Airport (Baer Field) TREBLE, CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE Friday, September 21 8:00 pm - Carmina Burana Arts United Center FWCC Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, & Heartland Sings Sunday, September 23 2:30 pm - Carmina Burana Arts United Center FWCC Concert Choir, Fort Wayne Ballet, & Heartland Sings ALUMNI Nineteen alumni sang together at the Choralfest Concert last Friday evening. FWCC plans on offering a different opportunity for alumni at each concert this season. Are you a FWCC alumnus or do you know someone who is? FWCC wants to connect with singers from the past 40 seasons! Please contact the office or ask your former singer(s) to call, 260.481.0481, or email FWCC, info@fwcchoir.org CHOIR MEMORABILIA If you have access to choir artifacts 10 years and older, please notify the office. The 40th anniversary committee is working on collecting items for a documentary video about the past 40 years! info@fwcchoir.org AUDITIONS! Do you know someone that would like to sing with the Fort Wayne Children's Choirs? Appointments for an audition with Mr. Busarow can be made by calling the office, 260.481.0481. (Don't forget first & second graders for the Preparatory Choir!!)    CARMINA BURANA - September 21 & 23, 2012 For the first time in Fort Wayne history, three major Fort Wayne performing arts organizations take the stage simultaneously to open their 2012-2013 seasons on September 21 & 23, 2012 with Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. Carmina Burana is a mainstay of the concert state, typically involving a particular orchestra, their chorus and soloists. This year the Fort Wayne Community has the opportunity to see this famous work staged as a full ballet featuring the Fort Wayne Ballet, the professional singers of Heartland , the Heartland Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and the Concert Choir of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. Maestro Robert Nance, President and Artistic Director of Heartland, will conduct the performance. Karen Gibbons-Brown, Artistic and Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Ballet, will choreograph the dancers. Jonathan Busarow, Artistic Director of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir will prepare the children's chorus. The performance will take place at the Arts United Center, downtown Fort Wayne. From Whew! to WOW!!! It may have been a chilly (some would say cold) evening last Friday at the Foellinger Theatre, but FWCC heated up the place with their performances! Over 1000 people attended the concert...a great kickoff for the singers and the 40th season! Thank you parents, friends, neighbors, and patrons for your encouragement and support! Choralfest 2012 What Did You Think of the Concert? You could win 4 FREE tickets to the Harvest Concert! If you attended the Choralfest Concert, we would appreciate hearing from you about your experience. Please take time to complete this short survey. Taste of the Arts  On Saturday, August 25, noon-7 pm, downtown Fort Wayne will host Taste of the Arts, a free arts festival. Several performance venues will feature a "sampling" of the Fort Wayne arts community, including the FWCC Youth Chorale who will perform at 2:30 pm. September Fundraiser! Mark your calendars! September 18 & 19 will be a fundraiser at Ruby Tuesday's! They will give us 20% of the sales that day when a Ruby Tuesday flyer is presented. To download a flyer...click here. (Please download the information on a computer. It has been reported to us several times that the date and site are incorrect on a smart phone.) "In the Spotlight" Steve Snyder - New Treble Choir Director FWCC welcomes Mr. Steve Snyder, the new Treble Choir director.  After discovering his love for vocal music in the All-Ohio Youth Choir, Mr. Snyder received his collegiate musical training at Miami University.  He then worked for the Ridgewood school district in Ohio for ten years, serving as choir director for the middle school and high school.  In 2008, he began his Master's degree studies at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.  He relocated to Fort Wayne in 2011, and was hired by Goshen High School to found the school's first men's choir, direct the Crimson Choir and teach beginning guitar.  In his spare time, he enjoys Ultimate Frisbee, disc golf, singing with his church choir, and working on the final project for his Master's degree.  He currently resides in Fort Wayne with his wife, Kristen. IPFW Community Arts Academy The IPFW Community Arts Academy graciously sponsored Choralfest this year! The IPFW Community Arts Academy (CAA) is gearing up for Saturday classes this fall, beginning September 8. Besides  private music instruction, the CAA teaches classes in art, dance and theatre for grades PreK-12. Please visit the CAA website at www.ipfw.edu/vpa/caa for detailed schedules and pricing, or call CAA director Melinda Haines at 260-481-6059. Uncategorized, 2012-08-20T17:11:48+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/carmina-burana http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/carmina-burana#When:16:00:48Z CARMINA BURANA - September 21 & 23, 2012 For the first time in Fort Wayne history, three major Fort Wayne performing arts organizations take the stage simultaneously to open their 2012-2013 seasons on September 21 & 23, 2012 with Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. Carmina Burana is a mainstay of the concert state, typically involving a particular orchestra, their chorus and soloists. This year the Fort Wayne Community has the opportunity to see this famous work staged as a full ballet featuring the Fort Wayne Ballet, the professional singers of Heartland , the Heartland Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and the Concert Choir of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. Maestro Robert Nance, President and Artistic Director of Heartland, will conduct the performance. Karen Gibbons-Brown, Artistic and Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Ballet, will choreograph the dancers. Jonathan Busarow, Artistic Director of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir will prepare the children's chorus. The performance will take place at the Arts United Center, downtown Fort Wayne.  Uncategorized, 2012-08-16T16:00:48+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-13-board-of-directors http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-13-board-of-directors#When:19:40:50Z August 14, 2012: The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is pleased to announce the members of their 2012-13 board of directors. Board Officers: President: Josh Neal, Barrett & McNagny Vice President: Diana Bartscht, Community volunteer Secretary: Ingrid Laidroo-Martin, Fort Wayne Community Schools Treasurer: Jenny Lemmon, Andorfer & Co. Board members include: Leslie Carmin, The Embassy Theatre John Foxworthy, Phillips Financial Jeff Fritz, Dupont Charley Hire, Hire’s Automotive Jen Fisher, Group Dekko Don Maurice, Source One Solutions Debbie Powers, Community Volunteer Barbara Resch, IPFW Cory Troutner, Troutner General Contracting Leadership staff includes: Denice Beights, Executive Director Jonathan Busarow, Artistic Director. The mission of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir contributes to the community’s cultural environment by providing opportunities to experience the unique beauty of professionally trained young voices. Uncategorized, 2012-08-14T19:40:50+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/choralfest-concert-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/choralfest-concert-2012#When:03:44:18Z Thank you FWCC alumni for adding your voices to the concert this evening! Uncategorized, 2012-08-11T03:44:18+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/the-fort-wayne-childrens-choir-presents-choralfest-concert http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/the-fort-wayne-childrens-choir-presents-choralfest-concert#When:13:47:04Z   The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is proud to present the annual CHORALFEST CONCERT August 10, 2012.  The Choralfest concert is the finale event of Choralfest Camp, a week long program for members of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. The Choralfest Concert will take place at Foellinger Outdoor Theater on Friday, August 10, at 7 p.m.  This concert will kick off the organization’s 40th season, and is free and open to the community to attend. Concert goers should anticipate a lively performance from this year's Children's Choir members, spanning ages 8-18 from seven ensembles.  Musical selections will include some familiar favorites as well as new tunes audiences will love.  The organization will feature an Alumni Choir performing with the FWCC members to end this memorable concert.  Uncategorized, 2012-08-03T13:47:04+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/hey-fwcc-alumni http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/hey-fwcc-alumni#When:13:44:49Z Join us at the 2012 CHORALFEST CONCERT! All FWCC alumni are invited to help the choir kick-off its 40th season by participating in the Choralfest Concert Friday, August 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm at Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park. DETAILS! **All participating alumni will rehearse backstage during the intermission **Performance will take place in the second half of the program **Meet Jonathan Busarow, the new FWCC Artistic Director **Access the music  in the "ALUMNI" section of the FWCC web site. PLEASE TELL YOUR FWCC FRIENDS and ASK THEM TO JOIN YOU! If you know you are going to attend, please notify the FWCC office: info@fwcchoir.org or 260.481.0481   Uncategorized, 2012-07-30T13:44:49+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/children-who-love-to-sing http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/children-who-love-to-sing#When:18:27:13Z Auditions for new singers interested in joining the Fort Wayne Children's Choir will take place on the following dates. Children ages 8-18 who love to sing are welcome!  *TUESDAY, JULY 10 at 5:00 pm and 5:30 pm, Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW Campus *TUESDAY, JULY 24 at 5:00 pm and 5:30 pm, Columbia City United Methodist Church, Columbia City *MONDAY, JULY 30 at 5:00 pm and 5:30 pm, Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW Campus Please call the FWCC office to register, 260.481.0481. (Please note that financial assistance is available to those who qualify) Uncategorized, 2012-07-09T18:27:13+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/busarow-named-artistic-director-of-fort-wayne-childrens-choir http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/busarow-named-artistic-director-of-fort-wayne-childrens-choir#When:12:33:48Z MEDIA RELEASE JULY 2, 2012 The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is pleased to announce Jonathan Busarow has been named Artistic Director.  Busarow previously served as director of the Valparaiso University Men’s Choir.  “The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir has conducted an extensive search interviewing both local and nonlocal candidates.  We’re proud to have him as part of our choir and feel very fortunate he chose to join us.”  Said Denice Beights, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. “His ability to work with a variety of individuals and create an exemplary performance makes him a great asset to our organization. His extensive knowledge as a clinician and soloist, passion for excellence and superior reputation as a director and music scholar will elevate our offerings to the next level.”  As Artistic Director, Busarow is charged with directing the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir Concert Choir, the organization’s premier touring ensemble, as well as the Youth Chorale. Additionally, Mr. Busarow will oversee the artistic development of the seven choirs in the program. He will lead efforts to ensure new programming reaches existing and new audiences. Prior to joining the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, Busarow was the sabbatical replacement for his mentor, Dr. Christopher M. Cock, served as a graduate teaching associate at The Ohio State University, and has worked at several churches in Ohio and Indiana.  Busarow holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in vocal performance from Valparaiso University and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from The Ohio State University as well as a Kodály Certification from the Kodály Institute at Capital University.  He has studied conducting with Christopher Cock, Dennis Friesen-Carper, Lenki Igo, Lilla Gabor, Robert J. Ward, and Hilary Apfelstadt.  Mr. Busarow and his wife, Nicole, have relocated in Fort Wayne and are looking forward to being part of this community. ORGANIZATION INFORMATION The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir’s mission is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir endeavors to contribute to the community’s cultural environment by providing opportunities to experience professionally trained young voices. The FWCC has seven ensembles and nearly 300 members annually. The ensembles collaborate with many of the finest arts programs in the region, as well as gives five season concerts annually. #  END  #   Uncategorized, 2012-07-09T12:33:48+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-8 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-8#When:22:51:04Z The FWCC 2012 Tour singers are home! This is the last installment of their North Carolina Summer Institute of Choral Art camp experience… Saturday, June 30 Early morning wakeup so the bus loaded could get loaded and on the way.  There were several NCSICA staff members helping us this morning and coming to say goodbye.  Marta packed little treat bags for every singer with their name on it.  It had some candy and treats for the long bus trip home.  How thoughtful!  Marta can’t wait for the FWCC singers to come back to NCSICA! First stop…the Biltmore Estate for our tour.  The singers went at their own pace with Mrs. Beights and Mrs. Treadway bringing up the rear.  Everyone received a description book that described each room.  There are docents stationed in each room if anyone has questions.  Several singers did ask questions and some of the workers seemed surprised with their intelligent questions.  One docent saw that we were a choir and asked where we were from.  When we told him Fort Wayne he replied “Oh, I heard you sing at the All Soul’s church service last Sunday.”  That was a great compliment. The singers were very impressed with the house and most of the girls were dreaming of living there or in a house similar.  Of course they were told that they had better marry someone rich!  The pool and the bowling alley were probably the kids’ favorite rooms.  The view from the back of the house was breathtaking and it was hard to get Taylor and Sangeeta to move on from there.  They loved looking at the view.  Instead of boring you with more details, you might want to check out the web site: http://www.biltmore.com/ After the tour, the singers checked out the gift shops and, of course, bought a few things!  Some of them walked through the gardens as well.  It was fun when the kids showed what they bought for themselves and for family.  One of the cutest purchases was Kate who found a headband with a stuffed cupcake on top in the candy store.  She wore it for the rest of the day.  She may wear it for a week!  We boarded the bus again to go the Biltmore Winery.  They couldn’t accommodate all of us at once for a tour that were given every half hour.  Some singers had been there before and didn’t want to go again and a few chose not to go so they shopped while the others went on the tour.  It was interesting to go in the wine cellar and to see how they process the grapes into grape juice and wine.  Before they went on the tour all of the singers were given a glass of grape juice. The boys loved it and couldn’t wait to buy some!  The workers asked us to sing a song.  They did a shortened version of “Jordan’s Angels”.  Very well received!  Once the tour was done there was time to shop and then we left for the Biltmore McDonald’s. It is always a fun place to visit.  They have a grand piano but for some reason they don’t allow anyone to play it!!!  It was a fun break and then off to head to Lexington to spend the night. A couple of miles outside out of Asheville when we ran into almost stand still traffic.  Most of the chaperones and some singers were settled in for a nap.  An hour and a half later when some of the nappers woke up, they were amazed to find we had only traveled about 15 miles.  There was a car fire and a place near there had one lane closed due to rock slides.  Needless to say, our trip to Lexington was delayed.  Lots of sleeping, reading, singing and talking among friends!  The chaperones tried to secretly work on the tour song that they will perform for the singers tomorrow.  It’s a tradition that the adults take one of the songs sung on tour and change the words to fit to reflect the trip.  We think we have a good one, so hopefully the kids like it. We stopped shortly before Lexington at a Golden Corral to eat.  We figured it would please just about any appetite. Everyone enjoyed the great variety.  We had called ahead so they put us all in a small room and it worked out well. Lots of food choices and I think the most popular item might have been the cotton candy they had available for dessert! We arrived safe and sound at the hotel.  We got there later than expected due to the traffic situation so it was decided we would do our tour meeting in the morning so the kids could share their comments about the person whose name they drew at the beginning of the week. We hope to pull out of Lexington tomorrow a little after 8:00 am.  We have a planned stop at Jungle Jim’s and a lunch stop and then we will finally be home!  Keep checking Facebook for our arrival time if it is any different from the originally planned time.  We are still hoping and praying for power to be restored for those in Fort Wayne.  We are sure we will find our city has changed a little when we get home. See you all soon! Uncategorized, 2012-07-01T22:51:04+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-6 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-6#When:13:59:50Z Friday, June 29 Concert day has finally arrived!  The singers recovered from their show choir night of dancing and excitement.  The schedule was different today to prepare for the finale. After breakfast, all singers went to the theatre and took turns rehearsing on stage.  Last minute logistics and fine tuning of the songs kept them busy.  Each director and lead group counselor told the singers how much they have enjoyed the week and thanked the kids for being eager to learn. Following lunch, the singers rehearsed the final number they would perform together and then they performed their group pieces for each other since the choir not singing would be watching closed circuit TV in another room during the actual concert.  Both groups were so excited for the other and gave them great rounds of applause. The NCSICA camp T-shirt this year is black and looks like a tuxedo!  Original idea!  A couple of weeks before the camp Marta called Mrs. Treadway and asked her to help with a project to do during the week of camp.  Flowers were taken from a garland and had glue dots attached to them.  The singers stuck them to their button and place the button on their shirt where a boutonniere would be pinned.  Mrs. Ator assisted Marta distributing flowers to all of the kids; it was a nice touch. At the final performance there was a full house and we were happy to see Nathan, Cassie and Samantha’s parents.  They were in town on their way to vacations and it was great to have them share the concert with us. The concert started with Marta welcoming everyone and thanking all of the staff and recognizing the choirs in residence.  The Middle School choir began the show with Dr. Goetze conducting and Sallie Pummill Pollack at piano.  Mary started each song by telling a little about each one: *Shady Grove is a song that is derived from an Appalachian folk song and was accompanied by flute.  The singers had Skyped with this composer, too, and she thought the sound was beautiful. *I Have a Song and Piper were next.  Piper was accompanied by a piccolo played by the New Jersey Choir director and there was also a group of girls doing a solo. *Wade in the Water was the spiritual and it was evident that they worked hard to create the different sound to honor the style of music.  They did some movement with this song as they swayed back and forth on some parts. *I Sing, Mary explained, she wrote for her close friend, Sandy Matthais, the director of the Columbus Children’s Choir to honor her retirement. She read the text and dedicated it to the singers, hoping that they took the lyrics to heart. Their portion ended and three of the singers brought Dr. Goetze flowers, one of whom was Cassie.  The Middle School left the stage and the High School chorus took their place. Dr. Gackle began by complimenting parents on their wonderful children.  She said that they are good people, have a good work ethic and incredible talent.  Their accompanist was Janet Pummell who is the Middle School accompanist’s mother. They began with Great Day which was commissioned for this 60th anniversary. Missa Brevis was next and the composer wrote it about a year ago for Dr. Paul Salumonovich who has been a clinician at the camp several times. It has a slight chant feel and is not an easy piece to sing.  Dr. Gackle was extremely proud of how hard the singers worked on this song. The next piece was the one the small group was doing.  Tom Shelton the composer came for the concert and spoke about the piece.  He said Marta asked him to write a piece for the anniversary and he chose this one based on a similar one he had done in college by the same name.  The King Singers had recorded it and Simon Carrington, one of the original King Singers, has been a past clinician at NCSICA.  Tom Shelton has been at the camp several years and has served as accompanist several times, too.  He was not able to be here this week but came just to hear the piece.  Dr. Gackle had them demonstrate the method they used to learn it.  Each part had somewhat of a bell rhythm and they sang those in solfege (Do, re mi, etc.).  Each section demonstrated their part.  That helped them learn the notes.  Then they sang on the syllable “doo”.  Then the German came into play.  It was an extremely difficult piece and the small group did a wonderful job. The Ground was next and the composer is more contemporary and writes in the style of Eric Whitacre. The piece is part of the Sunrise Mass and it is the “Sanctus” part. It was called Ground because the composer hopes that the peace and tranquility we receive from the Lord “would ground us.” Next Dr. Gackle talked about I Hear America Singing which was mentioned in an earlier blog about how it combined several patriotic songs. She had the singers sing it like they did the first day and then again with the madrigal style to make it nice and light so the audience could see the difference. The song is another very difficult college-level piece and the singers only performed about three-quarters of it since it was difficult to finish, and perfect, in the time they had this week. Finally Ritmo. Again this was discussed in an earlier blog and was referenced on the difficulty and how it all came together with the body movements.  It appeared to be the favorite of the crowd. The Middle School returned and stood in the aisles while they did the last number Personet Hodie, accompanied by trumpets.  Wow! What a sound surrounded the audience.  Amazing!!  Then they surprised the audience by doing For Good again.  Yes, the tears returned!!  This time a lot of the singers cried too!  What an incredible end to a fantastic week. The campers being picked up by parents were ready to leave. The kids said goodbye to their friends and then went to change for dinner.  They didn’t want to wear their tuxedo shirts to dinner??? Don’t know why!  The bus picked us up and our favorite bus driver Nate was happy to see us.  (He was the driver on the Youth Chorale tour last summer, as well.) The bus took the group to Mellow Mushroom for pizza and the place was a hit.  It is all decorated very strange and sort of in the 60’s style with a lot of “old” things on display like old gas pumps and Coca Cola coolers.  The singers loved the pizza and the soft pretzels.  Some pizza was left over which I’m sure will be part of breakfast!! As we waited for pizza, singers were asked to share what they enjoyed, learned, etc. about camp.  Here are some comments: *Bekka – Finally realized what it means to understand the lyrics of a song and know the true meaning and show that when you sing. *Cecelia – Felt honored to be a part of the small group and to experience Dr. Gackle’s unique learning style. *Sarah J.  – Really enjoyed understanding how to sing a song with meaning.  Also had fun singing songs with some of the NJ choir that both choirs knew during one of the days free time period. *Jacob A. – Met some new friends and learned a ton from Dr. Gackle. *Katy – Seeing old friends she met at camp before and meeting new ones. *Bernadette – The mountain view especially at sunset.  Walking hurts!  Food was better than she thought it would be. *Nathanael – Liked the room they sang in to rehearse all week and how they sounded in there. *Grace - Working with Dr. Gackle and Mr. Johnson was amazing. *Baily – Cried while she sang for the first time. *Payton – Meeting new people and learned how to better put emotion in his singing. *Taylor – Sings a lot better than he did a week ago. *Sarah C.  -  Show choir was great! *Rachel – Learned things she didn’t know before and had never thought about.  Ready to keep learning. Many, many more of them agreed that the clinicians were incredible and they learned so much from them.  A lot of the singers can’t wait to come back to the camp again sometime! Following Mellow Mushroom, everyone went back to the dorms to pack and then the boys joined the girls in their dorm’s common area just to hang out and share memories of the week.  Mrs. Ator, Mrs. Treadway and Mrs. Boester had the opportunity to go out to dinner with the staff, clinicians and accompanists.  During dinner they again received so many compliments about our singers’ attitude, the respect they demonstrated for each other and adults, their great singing, and that they are smart singers.  They can’t wait for FWCC to come back! So it’s been a whirlwind of a day!  As the news came to the group about the tornado our hearts sunk and we felt guilty that we were having such a wonderful day when some of you were struggling.  We will pray that everyone made it through okay and that power can be restored soon.  Its been a wonderful trip and today everyone was wishing it wouldn’t end, but now our hearts are with loved ones and friends and can’t wait to get home.  God Bless! Uncategorized, 2012-06-30T13:59:50+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-days-4-5 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-days-4-5#When:16:15:28Z Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28 What a wonderful couple days.  Please accept an apology for no blog yesterday.  Finding time to blog was put on the back burner due to the schedule! Hope this brings you up-to-date! Middle School has really worked hard on fine tuning their songs.  Mary Goetze has Skyped again with the singers and another composer.  Carolee Cartwright, composer of I Have a Song talked with the children about her inspiration behind this piece.  She had a grandson that had some form of Muscular Dystrophy. She watched him suffer and unfortunately lose his battle with the disease at age 10. She had followed the life of Mattie J. T. Stepanek, and his struggle with this same disease, and was inspired by his book, Journey Through Heartsongs. I Have a Song was commissioned by NCSICA for their 50th anniversary and FWCC was at the camp that year.  It was so heartfelt and it really helped the singers understand what a composer goes through. They realized that knowing the story behind a song helps put emotion behind their singing. Mary also talked about the songs she wrote, I Sing and The Piper, which she dedicated to Marta Force, the president of NCSICA.  She complimented the singers and shared a lot with them all week and they really feel like they know her well.  After she shared how much she enjoyed the week, the singers one by one went up to hug her and it turned into all of the singers and Mary in one big giant hug!! Another fun incident involving the Middle School choir happened on Wednesday.  It happened to be Mr. Meads’ birthday!  Marta is a very close friend of Fred and Mary Goetze knows him well, too.  Marta videotaped the entire choir singing Happy Birthday to him and texted it to him.  He responded later that he was very touched. Mary also did a fun exercise with the singers.  They would sing the song My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean and every time they sang a word starting with the letter B they would stand up if they were sitting down or sit down if they were standing.  Was a fun exercise of thinking and listening! Try it yourself and see how you do! One last thing about the Middle School group: some of our singers have solos!  Kate and Rachel are singing in a group of three performing I Will Sing and Jacob B. and Sangeeta have solos singing Wade in the Water. Bernadette and Ashlee have solos singing I Have a Song. How proud we are of them!!  High School choir has been working just as hard.  They have a song in Latin, a song in German, a spiritual-style piece and one with body movement.  Each song has its own challenges.  Lynne Gackle has really taken them through a week of intense rehearsals and music theory lessons spread throughout each rehearsal.  She took sections of songs and worked extensively on diction or how to hold the mouth or where to breathe to make the sound effective.  Sectionals were held and every time she helped each section understand what role their part played in the song. If you were a singer that didn’t enjoy singing a song a hundred times to learn it perfectly than this choir would not be for you! The hours the singers rehearse are equal to about two thirds of a semester at FWCC.  It’s amazing how much they get accomplished musically in five days at this camp. Wednesday night was Talent Show night.  It was also the night for our choir and the children’s choir from New Jersey to perform.  The New Jersey group went first and they surprised us by dedicating a song to us!  It turned out to be Hold the Light by Rollo Dilworth which he wrote for the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir.  Mrs. Ator did a great job accompanying them. FWCC’s turn to sing!  Mrs. Boester directed Jordan’s Angels, Mrs. Treadway directed Sail Away and Mrs. Beights directed Why We Sing.  Mrs. Treadway had the task of introducing each song.  The singers did a wonderful job and the audience gave FWCC singers rousing applause!!  On to the Talent Show!!  There were some great performers!  Music included classical pieces, tunes from Broadway and a couple of singers played piano while they sang, including the blind young man, Shane, mentioned earlier in the week.  The FWCC favorite was our own Grace, who sang an original song and accompanied herself on the ukulele.  We think she was the hit of the show!  One of the music teacher counselors told Mrs. Treadway that she needs to get the song copyrighted before someone steals it!!  Once the talent show was over the compliments from the music teachers and staff were numerous.  The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir shone again at NCSICA.  The FWCC adults were so proud of them!  More creatures have been discovered around campus.  The chaperones were walking across the pedestrian bridge and saw some lions on a branch of a tree and a cheetah hanging from the tree.  We are puzzled by how they got there.  There is a deep ravine below this tree. The tree is also not easily accessed from the bridge.  Such a mystery! Thursday was a very busy day perfecting the show choir routines.  It’s been fun to watch them rehearse and see their smiling faces and how much fun they are having.  I think it’s safe to say, all of our singers have really enjoyed this part of camp even if dancing isn’t their “thing”.  The singers have helped each other learn the steps. After dinner the singers had rehearsal on stage for the Show Choir performance.  Each group has their one piece to perform and then they all come together at the end to do one more number. With about 200 kids, it was amazing how well the rehearsal went!  Once the rehearsal was over everyone went to the outdoor theatre for the awards ceremony.  All of the singers and adults posed for a group picture and then camp participants, singers and adults were recognized for their years at camp.  Each singer and adult receives a certificate, but the ones who have three years or more have their name called and come up to get their certificate.  We have several singers who have been here three or four years….Katy, Caitlyn, Grace, Cecelia and Mr. Bartscht.  Mrs. Ator has five years, Mrs. Boester has six years and Mrs. Treadway has eight.  The scholarship recipients were honored and the college interns were recognized, including our own Ashley Treadway.  Lots of cheers and celebration! When participants reach ten years they are given a brick.  The National Association for Music Education (NAFME) national headquarters in Washington D.C. has a Walk of Fame (http://musiced.nafme.org/about/walk-of-fame/) NCSICA sponsors a brick on the Walk of Fame for each ten year participant.  The brick they gave this evening is a replica of the one that will be placed in Washington D.C.  Several of the counselors have been to this camp 20 or more years!  Marta Force, the president, celebrated 40 years this year and was recognized by the staff. A significant part of the evening was when everyone was given a sparkler and once they were all lit, we sang Happy Birthday to NCSICA!  It’s very difficult to light over 200 of them at the same time, but everyone did the best they could.  It had a nice effect since it was starting to get dark. Once the awards ceremony was over we went back into the auditorium for the show choir performance.  Usually each group is introduced and recognized at the end of their song as the choirs’ transition on and off stage.  In honor of the 60th anniversary Mike Weaver, the choreographer, staged it so that it would be one big performance and the music would be continuous as the singers came on and off the stage between songs.  So far, it was the hit of the week!!  WOW!! doesn’t even begin to describe it.  The staging showed how hard the singers worked and you could see on their faces how much fun they were having.  Each group cheered for the other and it was electric! Our own Cassie was a soloist! After the four songs were finished the singers were all in place to do the combined number.  The adult campers were asked to move forward into the seats where the singers had been so the singers could feel like they were singing to the adults. The final song was For Good which is from the musical “Wicked”.  For those of you that don’t know the song, here are some of the lyrics… I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn, And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you... Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun; Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have changed for good. Needless to say, almost every adult was crying.  (This writer surely was…  As I listened to the words and looked at the faces of the FWCC children on stage, I knew how being in our choir has changed their lives “for good”.  I was catching the eyes of some of them and I was trying so hard for them not to see me cry.  I didn’t do so well.  Baily came up to me afterwards and told me she saw me crying and she had to try not to cry, too!  Gavin came up to all of the chaperones and gave us a hug and thanked us.  We got in the lobby and a lot of the other singers were doing the same. A very moving evening…) The night ended with cake and ice cream to celebrate the 60th birthday of NCSICA.  Tomorrow is the big concert. Uncategorized, 2012-06-29T16:15:28+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-4 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-4#When:15:38:07Z Tuesday, June 26     Another beautiful day in the Blue Ridge Mountains!! Singers were given a later time for breakfast so a little extra sleep was had by most!  Still in the café for breakfast…hopefully we are in the new cafeteria tomorrow. Rehearsals are progressing nicely.  Singers have a good feel about the songs now that they have had one day of rehearsal.  At the end of their day Wednesday, the songs will become stronger as they will work on memorization so that they can take it to the next step with fine tuning. The Middle School was able to Skype with the composer of one of their pieces, Wade in the Water.  His name is Keith McCutchen and he was pleased with the sound of the singers.  This song was arranged for Dr. Goetze in 2008 and is included specifically for the 60th anniversary of NCSICA.  What a great experience for the singers to “meet” the composer of a song they are singing. He offered several suggestions with pronunciation and stylistic ways to sing it. He also shared the African American history of its origin. Everyone clapped for each other when the “interview” was over. Our accompanist, Sallie Pummill Pollack, plays the piano so beautifully that you can imagine the water flowing beneath you. Another song the Middle School is learning was written for the 50th anniversary of NCSICA: I Have a Song, the text having come from Mattie J. T. Stepanek’s Journey Through Heartsongs! It was composed by Carolee Curtright. (She was a clinician at NCSICA another year that FWCC was here.) Three other chosen pieces are from Mary Goetze’s Series: I Sing, The Piper, and Shady Grove. What a wonderful opportunity to again learn from the source! Here are some responses from our singers when asked what they liked about camp so far: Katy – the people;  Becca – the people’s southern accents;  Rachel – the Skyping with the composer;  Gavin – Mr. Butler, his rotation counselor;  Ashlee – the rotation classes;  Kyle – the scenery; Baily- Dr. Gackle and how she teaches; Clark – learning the German in the small group piece.  We’ll add more comments later. During free time today Mrs. Snow, Nathaniel, Cassie, and Bernadette went on a tour of the farm. They were introduced to the large sows that are used for breeding and even for eating purposes (sorry piggies).  They discovered the pigs liked being scratched on their back and one even kicked her leg like a dog does when scratched in the right place.  But don’t let the 700 pounder fool you into thinking she’s a sweetie – she can charge you if she’s in a bad mood.  The farm has also added a few sheep this year that have coats that are adaptable to the warmer weather here – kind of a mullet dread lock look. The chaperones are having fun too!  They rotate to rehearsals and rotations between middle school and high school.  This way they keep up on what each group is doing.  (Side note: some of them are Diet Coke addicts and some prefer Pepsi. Mrs. Boester and Mrs. Snow have to have their coffee.) It has been reported that Mrs. Crist and Mrs. Toenges took a hike looking for “Suicide Ridge” and they couldn’t find it, only to discover, (thanks to a reknowned Russian composer who was visiting Warren Wilson College for a Chamber Music Festival, and happened to be on the trail!) that they had been there four times! The show choir dances are coming together nicely.  Mr. Weaver is doing some blocking and seeing which singers seem “to have it” and are placing them in the front row.  In the High School Group A, Bekka, Cecelia, Joseph and Sarah C. are in the front for Celebration and in Group B Gavin, Payton, Mary, Clark, Emily, Grace, Hayley and Baily are in the front for Light of the World.  Middle School is still working to steps and should be blocking today. Tonight was movie night.  The movie was in the outdoor gazebo.  Fun to watch a movie outside that isn’t at a drive in!  While the movie was showing, Mr. Weaver did a Master class for some of the adults to talk with them on how they can incorporate movement in songs they may be conducting as teachers.  North Carolina doesn’t really have show choir but some of the teachers try to do it on a smaller scale.  Mike told them his history, since he never intended to be a choreographer.  He originally went to Millikin University as an organ major, changed it to piano with a commercial music business minor and did his Masters at Columbia in film studies. He learned that Barbra Streisand’s accompanist made $300 an hour and he wanted to be her accompanist!! He got a job as a pianist with a cruise ship company and that started the bug for staging and choreography.  He works all across the country but is based in Chicago.  He will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa from here. Mike worked with the teachers to help them figure out what type of songs to choose and how it should relate to what the singers understand; is it relevant in their life, do they understand what they are singing and dancing about?  How do they tell the story to the audience with not only the song, but movement and expression?  Find the music that fits the life experience! Another full day!  We look forward to tomorrow when the choir will get to be a part of the talent show.  I’m sure an FWCC rehearsal will happen tomorrow after lunch! P. S.  The puzzle was finished in the girl’s dorm!!   Uncategorized, 2012-06-27T15:38:07+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-3 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-3#When:13:56:05Z Monday, June 25 Our first full day of camp and it was a busy one!  Early breakfast as usual and before we left for rehearsals some of the girls got a puzzle out of the game closet and starting working on it.  We’ll see if it gets completed this week. We talked this morning about the little surprises we find in strange places.  In the outdoor gazebo there are figurines of a bride and groom on top of one of the rafters.  On one of the outside walls of the cafeteria building there are multiple plastic turtles attached to the wall.  On the walking bridge ledge there are turtle figurines.  On top of a sign on the outside wall of the patio there is a figurine of Goofy and dog figurines spotted on top of an exit sign inside one of the buildings. There is also an army man and troll on a ledge in the Cow Pit Café. Not sure if there is meaning behind any of them but some of the singers are really searching to find more strange spottings! In the high school rehearsals today they discussed a piece of music that was written specifically for the 60th anniversary of NCSICA by Tom Shelton.  Tom is a music teacher and composer from North Carolina who has been a counselor at the camp for many years.  Our Lyric Choir did one of his pieces last year.  The piece is patterned around what bell chimes would sound like and the patterns they play when we hear them ring.  It is an extremely difficult piece in six parts, musically, and it is also in German.  There were only about 20 singers selected to do this piece and they are committed to extra rehearsal during their free time to learn it.  Caitlyn, Grace, Cecelia and Clark have been picked to do it.  Congrats!!!!  It is such an honor as well.  It has been fun to hear the singers’ comments about already knowing Ritmo and how they are learning different things about the piece. They are also doing a Rollo Dilworth song, Great Day, but it is different from the Great Day FWCC did last year.  The piece is still based on the same text but a more spiritual feel to the music.  Rollo wrote this piece for the NCSICA anniversary as well. There is a young blind man in the high school chorus.  He has a beautiful voice and his music has been transcribed into Braille.  We have seen several singers helping him get from place to place and it is evident he is enjoying his time here.  During rehearsal today Gabe worked with and assisted him. Middle school choir is going well with Dr. Goetze.  She has an instrument that looks similar to a piccolo but is played like a tiny recorder.  She uses it as the kids gather to get in their seats and sings “Pipe Down, Pipe Down”.  The kids then start joining in and they continue until all singers are seated and paying attention.  It was funny when one of the campers asked what pipe down meant!!  They are singing two pieces that Mary Goetze has written and our singers were challenged to get her autograph on their music. We have also had a spontaneous concert sighting.  Jacob A. and Grace were sitting on the wall playing their ukuleles and singing while Clark used his drum sticks to keep the beat.  It sounded like they were singing a Jason Mraz song and they had some of our singers and others looking on and singing, too! During free time Bekka and Emily tried out for the talent show with a dance routine.  Grace, Cassie and Caitlyn are trying out tomorrow.  We will let you know if they make it in the show.  Our new friends that are in the girls dorm, Mary Baker and Hannah, are becoming attached to our group.  They seem to enjoy being around our girls and they are all having fun together.  Kate and Mary Baker have taken advantage of swimming during free time.  Sarah J. has been spotted several times going up to singers she hasn’t met and introducing herself to make new friends.  Show choir rehearsals today were fun.  The middle school groups were so fun to watch.  One group is doing a You Can’t Stop the Beat and We’ve Got the Beat medley.  The other group is doing Celebrate.  The singers are so receptive to trying new things with the dancing and they are getting a work out.  Not as hot in the gym today but still warm! Dinner tonight was Mexican and was a great meal.  The Middle School accompanist has her husband and three children here with her.  We were sitting next to them at dinner and the kids kept going outside to try to get ice cream in the cooler.  The cooler is deep like the kind you would see at an ice cream shop; you reach deep in to get the ice cream scooped out.  The young kids kept going and coming and going and coming realizing they couldn’t get it but afraid to ask the big kids, and there was a long line.  Mrs. Treadway took the little ones and introduced them to Mary and Baily who were in line and close to the cooler.  We told the kids they would help them and they trusted that they would.  When they got their ice cream and popsicles they were so happy when they came back inside to show mom and dad! Our kids rock!! Thank you for sending your awesome children with us this week!   Uncategorized, 2012-06-26T13:56:05+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-2 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-2#When:20:32:45Z Sunday, June 24 Singers got a decent night’s sleep since we didn’t need to leave as early this morning.  We all had breakfast in the girl’s dorm.  Thanks, parents, for the donations!  Singers were well prepared and dressed and ready on time. Once they had eaten, an impromptu rehearsal started on the patio lead by Cecelia.  Just wanted to double check parts I guess! Bus picked us up.  We opted to meet the bus near the main road since the hill to get to the girl’s dorm is a little tricky maneuvering the bus so it doesn’t bottom out.  We are in the mountains!  Short ride to the church since Warren Wilson College is near the Biltmore!  When we first got to the church, Kyle (music director) talked with the singers and let them know he is from Indiana and had graduated from Indiana University so he felt like family was coming to visit.  He also told them some original history of the church as well.  We were able to have a rehearsal in the sanctuary before the service.  The church itself seems large from the outside since there are many parts of it but the sanctuary is very small.  It was built by the Vanderbilt’s in the 1896. Nothing had really been done to the church to remodel it; they have kept the original look.  Kyle told them that even the seat pads they were sitting on were original.  In the pews there are kneeling pads that are very thick and are all differently embroidered.  Beautiful place to sing! The pieces sung today were Come to the Music as an introit which Mrs. Boester conducted.  Jordan’s Angels and Why We Sing were sung as an anthem and during the offering with Mrs. Beights conducting.  The service was concluded with Blessing conducted by Ms. Treadway.  Staff and congregation were very complimentary. Following the service, the church provided us with a boxed lunch.  Singers and adults agreed it was a good one.  The box it was in had a couple sentences on it from the vendor that said “The only difference between this lunch and the ones you were packed as a kid is that your mom didn’t pack this one.  There won’t be any need to trade!”  After we were done eating we gathered the singers to sing a “thank you” piece for Kyle.  They sang “Sail Away”.  Since it was composed by Malcolm Dalglish, an Indiana composer, we figured Kyle would appreciate it.  It was also appropriate, since there is a line that says, “It’s time to go”, and that’s what we had to do! The sermon was based on “awe”.  What puts us in awe?  Is it a moment, or a place?  During lunch I asked a few singers what was an “awe moment” for them.  Caitlyn said it was seeing these beautiful mountains.  Jacob A. remembers driving from Virginia into North Carolina on vacation and the view as he crossed the border put him in awe of the beauty.  We agreed that some songs they have heard sung or that FWCC has sung puts them in awe.  Wonderful insight! Back to Warren Wilson…we changed clothes and we did a short walking tour of campus to discover areas we hadn’t seen yet.  There is a beautiful gazebo that we sat in and talked awhile.  We used this time to cover camp rules and assure them that we know they will be a great representation of Fort Wayne and FWCC.  We also started one of our tour traditions.  We have all of our names on slips of paper and each child pulls a name from the bag.  They are to watch that person throughout the week and find them doing something good.  On our last night of tour when we do our sharing time we will tell our person something positive we saw them do this week.  It’s always fun to find out personally some good thing that another person saw us do! Now the beginning of NCSICA!  We started with an all-camp-meeting; staff was introduced and rules and regulations were discussed.  Our choir, as well as the one from New Jersey, was asked to stand and be recognized.  Once the meeting was over they went to rehearsal rooms to get their seating arranged and then off to dinner.  The main cafeteria has been undergoing renovations so we are using their “Cow Pie Café”.  (No, they weren’t on the menu!).  The café is a smaller one so it has been challenging to get so many people through, but we quickly learned patience.  The kids all found the ice cream for dessert.  You have to dip your own cone and they have mastered the talent.  We hope to be in the new cafeteria by Tuesday. Next was a shortened rotation schedule where they had a short Show Choir 101 class to explain terminology and basic steps.  The high school group was in the gym and they had the very large industrial fans at the doors for airflow.  When they got a break, Clark went over and hugged the fan he was so happy to get cool air.  Mike Weaver is there clinician and he is nationally recognized for his show choir choreography.  He has worked with Northrop High School in the past and currently works with Carroll and Homestead High Schools.  He has been at this camp several years and keeps coming back!  The high school is separated into two groups, one is doing the song Light Up My World and the other is doing Celebration. There will also be a combined piece, For Good from Wicked.  The singers were having fun learning the steps and you can definitely pick out the students who either love to dance or do show choir.  The rest are so fun to watch because they are giving it all they have to figure it out.  Very exhausting and hot!!  This is the area that Ashley T. is interning at the camp.  She is working with Mike in the show choir sessions teaching the dance.  Brings back great memories for her! Once evening activities were done we went back to the dorms.  First time to attempt it in the dark and we didn’t get lost!  We had a short meeting in the girl’s dorm and they had a little more time to hang out, talk and shower than they will in the next few nights.  We finally met the two other girls that will be in our dorm.  They are two middle school girls from North Carolina and one of them used to live near Indy.  They are fitting in well with our girls. Bedtime went well and we think it’s because they got their first taste of choreography and it wore them out!  We’ll see how tomorrow night goes after the dance. Once again the children have been amazing!!   Uncategorized, 2012-06-25T20:32:45+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-1 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-tour-day-1#When:17:47:29Z Saturday, June 23 Today was “Bus Day”!!  Twelve hours on a bus and we made it! The kids started out very excited as we got going out of Fort Wayne.  It quieted down and some got a little more sleep, some read, some just had fun talking.  We saw the wind farm just east of Van Wert and some of the singers hadn’t seen them before.  Hundreds of them and they are huge! Mrs. Treadway always has some games for the trip to help pass the time.  We did a couple to help them get to know the chaperones first of all.  The chaperones listed things such as where they were born, where they went to college, what they studied in college, and what songs they had sung or played at their weddings!  There are four music ed majors, an engineer, a pilot, an accountant and a some teachers!  Quite a variety of songs were played at their weddings!  Later in the trip we’ll do one with the singers to find out what they want to be “when they grow up”.  The lunchtime stop was at the Kentucky border Welcome Center.  The place had a store with all types of things that were made in Kentucky…glass, metal works, woodworking, jewelry, arts and crafts galore.  Some beautiful art was displayed around as well.  Caitlyn and Bernadette were especially taken with some of the metal work and art work.  Mrs. Boester found a book about the writing of the song “Happy Birthday”.  She’s always looking for new things to teach her students.  We are assuming the composer was from Kentucky.  We’ll have to borrow the book from her to find out! Of course it wouldn’t be an FWCC lunch stop without a little rehearsing!!!  During the ride Grace and Jacob A. got out their Ukuleles and serenaded the back of the bus!  There was also an attempt by Mary to build a fort with her blanket!  Didn’t last long!  At movie time we gave the singers a choice from three and they chose “Lion King”.  So fun to see it again and we even had a few that hadn’t seen it before!  Of course, a few of them sang along on the songs (including a few chaperones). Onward again!  We made another restroom stop and dinner stop and with our little breaks about every three or four hours the trip went pretty fast.  We did have a slow down with some construction but we made it through.  Another game, but this one was about the singers.  Mrs. Treadway gave them a sheet to fill out at a rehearsal that she used to create the games.  With this one, singers listed their favorite FWCC song.  Nice variety including Freedom Trilogy, Sail Away, Sing Creations Music On, Bonsa Aba, and many more.  After this game Mrs. Treadway put in a video that was hot off the press.  It was the DVD of the Spring Concert.  So fun to relive that day and hear beautiful singing.  We only got through the Chamber Singers, so we will finish on the trip back. We stopped for dinner as we got to Asheville and with just a fifteen minute ride remaining to Warren Wilson College.  We were met by a couple old friends who led the bus to the three dorm areas so we could drop off our luggage.  Once we dropped off luggage we walked across campus to a place where we could rehearse the songs for church tomorrow.  Back to dorms to unpack and with quick lights out. It’s been a great day.  The singers have been great, very pleasant and upbeat even once they figured out the hills they will be walking every day.  It is pretty hot here so far.  As the night went on, it started to get cooler.  Trying to convince them to open their windows to let the night breeze in!  We are all here safe and sound and ready to take on a busy day tomorrow!   Uncategorized, 2012-06-24T17:47:29+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-june-21-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-june-21-2012#When:20:04:43Z CALENDAR Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Saturday, June 23 - IPFW Riverfest - TREBLE Between 8-9 AM in the Activity Area (2012 Riverfest) June 23-July 1 NCSICA Summer Tour CONCERT & YOUTH CHORALE North Carolina Friday, August 10 7:00 pm - CHORALFEST Concert, Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park   AUDITIONS! FWCC will be holding "hearing sessions" in July to place children in its choirs. Interested singers need to call the office for an appointment. 260.481.0481 E-NEWS The E-News is being sent monthly through July on the THIRD Thursday, and not the second as originally written. Thank you, Singers! Thanks to the CONCERT and YOUTH CHORALE singers that performed the National Anthem at the opening of the Democratic State Convention this past Saturday! Riverfest - Saturday, June 23 Many thanks to the TREBLE choir members who will be singing the National Anthem at the opening of Riverfest this Saturday! (RIverfest) TOUR!! North Carolina here we come! Bright and early Saturday morning 31 Fort Wayne Children's Choir singers and 10 adults leave for the Summer Institute of Choral Art for a week of music and fun! FWCC is one of two choirs-in-residence at the camp and this is the eighth year singers have attended. FWCC will perform at the camp as well as at the All Souls Cathedral, the official church of the Biltmore. Follow the Tour's blog on the FWCC web site starting Sunday, June 24. Welcome Mr. Busarow! There will be a new face in the office Monday, July 2! Mr. Busarow officially begins as the Artistic Director. Please stop by and introduce yourself! Summer Arts Opportunities IPFW Community Arts Academy260.481.6059. For more information, click here! FAME Summer Fine Arts Camp Calling the next generation of dancers, actors, musicians, and visual artists! The FAME Fine Arts Camp is still open for reservations. The week-long camp takes place July 22-27 at YMCA Camp Potawatomi. For more information visit the FAME web site, http://www.famearts.org/node/412, or contact the FAME office at 260.481.0545 or at info@famearts.org for sign-up information.   Congratulations! Congratulations to Mary Wilson, YOUTH CHORALE, on being named best vocalist with the Homestead Elite Choir! Chorus America Chorus America is the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. It supports and serves choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers with tools, training, peer networking, and access so that choruses are better able to contribute to their communities. Last week FWCC was represented at the annual conference held in Minneapolis, MN. Attending were Denice Beights, Executive Director, Janet Treadway, Director of Operations, Jonathan Busarow, Artistic Director, and Susie Peirce, Project Director. The group shared excitement about the presentations heard and the creative ideas shared at the conference. Keep your ears, and eyes, open this season for innovative programming and audience experiences! QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-06-21T20:04:43+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-31-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-31-2012#When:21:30:25Z CALENDAR  Make sure these dates are on your calendar! Saturday, June 23 IPFW Riverfest - TREBLE Times TBA June 23-July 1 NCSICA Summer Tour CONCERT & YOUTH CHORALE Friday, August 10 7:00 pm - CHORALFEST Concert, Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park AUDITIONS! FWCC has added June 7 as an additional date for auditions. Interested but can't make June 7? Please call the FWCC office to make arrangements for an audition later this summer. 260.481.0481. Summer Arts Opportunities for Kids! IPFW Community Arts Academy Offered through the College of Visual and Performing Arts, IPFW has a summer camp for almost everyone! For more information, click here or contact Melinda Haines, Director, at 260-481-6059.  E-NEWS ~ During June and July, the E-NEWS will be sent only on the second Thursday of the month. INVITATION ACCEPTED The CONCERT and YOUTH CHORALE choirs have been invited to sing the National Anthem at the Indiana State Democratic Convention at the Grand Wayne Center on Saturday, June 16. Congratulations! Great statewide exposure for our entire organization! "In the Spotlight"   Diana Bartscht, FWCC Board Member Diana Bartscht, currently vice-president of the Board of Directors of the Children's Choir, and her husband, Craig, are long-time supporters of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir.  Diana is an alumni of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.  She received both her Bachelor and Master's degree in Economics from this institution.  This is also where she met her future husband.  They have raised two sons in Fort Wayne.  The youngest, Aaron, is an alumni of the Children's Choir.  Diana taught finance for the U of I extension program and managed a local Federal Credit Union for many years. She presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and the Foundation for Art and Music in Education (FAME) as well as the Children's Choir.  She feels deeply the need for our community and its members to provide fine art experiences for all children and their families. Stacy Somers, FWCC Board Member Stacy Somers, a Bluffton, IN native, is an attorney with Beers, Mallers, Backs, & Salin, LLP. He attended the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in September 2004. He graduated from Hanover College with a political science major and economics minor. Mr. Somers resides in Fort Wayne and enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, and baseball in his spare time. He has served on the Fort Wayne Children's Choir board for three years. This concludes the personal introduction to the FWCC artistic and administrative staff and the board of directors. FWCC GRADUATING SENIORS ~ Congratulations to the FWCC graduating seniors!  The graduates represent seven different high schools in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. Their accomplishments and goals are a testament to the correlation between music and academic excellence. **Hayley Feichter - Graduating from Antwerp High School, Hayley will attend Bradley University and focus on Public Relations. She is a three year member of FWCC. **Caitlyn Kahn - Caitlyn will attend the University of Toledo this fall. She will graduate with distinction from Northrop High School and academically is in the top ten stFudents in her graduating class. She plans on pursuing Pharmaceutical Science. Caitlyn is a 10 year member of FWCC. **Guillaume Poudrier -  Guillaume will graduate from DeKalb High School and plans on entering Butler University where he will pursue a degree in music. A seven-year member of FWCC, Guillaume has been active in the DeKalb High School show choir and musical productions. **Megan Romary - Megan plans on attending Ball State University following her graduation from South Side High School. She will pursue a major in education. Megan is a six-year member of FWCC **Dami Rosanwo - Dami will graduate with honors with distinction with outstanding achievement in Business this spring from Carroll High School. She was a nominee for the Outstanding Achievement in World Languages Scholarship. She plans on a double major in economics and international relations through the Huntsman Program when she attends the University of Pennsylvania this fall. Dami is a six-year member of FWCC. **Sarah Tollo - Following graduation from Canterbury High School this spring, Sarah plans on attending the University of Saint Francis this fall. She has been accepted into the school's six-year program in physical therapy. Sarah is an eight-year member of FWCC. For the past two years, Sarah has served as a student-assistant for the Lyric Choir. **Addi LaCroix - An eleven-year member of FWCC, Addi graduates from Concordia High School this spring. She will attend Indiana University this fall on a Chick Evans Scholarship that provides full tuition and housing. Addi plans on pursuing a career in Arts Administration with a minor in Marketing.   QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-05-31T21:30:25+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-24-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-24-2012#When:13:14:55Z CALENDAR Concerts & Performances Friday, August 10 7:00 pm - CHORALFEST Concert, Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park ALL CHOIRS FREE! Office Hours ~ The FWCC office will be closed Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day. Fort Wayne Area Home School Expo ~ Thank you to the many home school families that stopped by the FWCC booth last Saturday at the Expo! We had several families very interested in the music education and training that FWCC provides. And thanks to the enthusiastic staff that hosted the booth! Auditions ~ FWCC has added June 7 as an additional audition date. Please have any interested family call the office - 260.481.0481. "In the Spotlight"   Barbara Resch, FWCC Board Member Barbara has been Director of Music Education at IPFW since 1995 and is also the Associate Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.  She has several years of public school music teaching experience; for almost 20 years she directed the children's choirs at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School, and represented the Lutheran schools on the FWCC Teacher Advisory Board. Currently the Past-President of Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA), Barbara chaired the recent annual state conference. Barbara's husband is a professor at Concordia Theological Seminary.  They have two grown and married children, and three little grandchildren who are already good singers. SUMMER ARTS OPPORTUNITIES for KIDS ~ SCORE   The Embassy Theatre is offering a three-week intensive experience for middle school-age young people to devise, create, produce, and perform an original opera. For more information, click on SCORE!  Deadline for registration is May 30. IPFW COMMUNITY ARTS ACADEMY ~ SUMMER CAMPS Offered through the College of Visual and Performing Arts, IPFW has a summer camp for almost everyone! For more information, click here or contact Melinda Haines, Director, at 260-481-6059. QUICKLINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-05-25T13:14:55+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-office http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-office#When:14:44:40Z The Fort Wayne Children's Choir office is closed Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day. Uncategorized, 2012-05-24T14:44:40+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-17-2012 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-17-2012#When:20:05:47Z CALENDAR Concerts & Performances Friday, May 18 7:00 pm - Fantacular, Columbia City High School, WHITLEY Please note date and time! Friday, August 10 7:00 pm - CHORALFEST Concert, Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park ALL CHOIRS OFFICE HOURS ~ The FWCC office will be closed Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day. FORT WAYNE AREA HOME SCHOOL EXPO ~ FWCC will have a booth at the annual Fort Wayne Area Home School Expo at the Memorial Coliseum this   Saturday, May 19, 9-5. If you have home school friends, encourage them to stop by booth #75! AUDITIONS ~  The early May auditions for new choir members are complete! Thank you volunteers, music directors, and adjudicators! Additional audition dates will be offered in June. INTERNS ~ The FWCC spring semester intern, Abby Sobczak, completed her work last Thursday. Abby is a senior at Carroll High School and will attend the University of Indianapolis to study nursing in the fall. Welcome summer interns Jessica Bush and Brandon McCutchan, FWCC alumni. Jessica will be a senior at Ball State this fall and Brandon just completed his second year at Indiana State "In the Spotlight"   Natalie Nelson, FWCC Board Member Natalie Nelson has worked for Fort Wayne Community Schools for fourteen years and is currently the Curriculum Director for Academic Services. She is an active member of Fellowship Missionary Church and enjoys singing in the choir and volunteering on various projects. Natalie has college degrees from both Indiana University in Bloomington and Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne in Education.  She is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana and the youngest of four children of Forrest and Reba Nelson.  She graduated from Northrop High School and was a proud member of the Big Orange Pride where she played the flute! The proud aunt of one niece and five nephews and one goddaughter,  Natalie's interests are spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, and attending cultural events. SUMMER OPPORTUNITY ~ SCORE! The Embassy Theatre is offering a three-week intensive experience for middle school-age young people to devise, create, produce, and perform an original opera.  One modern definition of "opera" is a dramatic work in which some portion of the plot is carried within the music. Most modern musical theater is actually opera. Working with professional educators trained in this technique at the New York Metropolitan Opera, a theater professional with experience in every aspect of musical theater, and theater business professionals, students will learn the skills of writing dialogue, music, and lyrics, as well as theater craft, and production basics.  To add to the experience, the preparation and performance will all take place in the beautiful historic Embassy Theatre.  For aspiring composers and performers, experiencing this venue is a dream come true. For more information, click on SCORE! Deadline for registration is May 30.   QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-05-17T20:05:47+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-4 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-may-4#When:13:13:23Z CALENDAR Concerts & Performances Friday, May 4 7:00 pm - Whitley County Concert, Columbia City United Methodist Church WHITLEY & YOUTH CHORALE Please note that this is a time change from what was previously listed!!! Sunday, May 20 6:30 pm - Fantacular, Columbia City High School, WHITLEY Friday, August 10 7:00 pm - CHORALFEST Concert, Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park ALL CHOIRS FWCC Recruiting Know a talented young singer? FWCC will be holding auditions in May. Contact the office for more information, 260.481.0481. Recognition Ceremony This past Tuesday, FWCC singers and staff were recognized for their years served with the organization. In addition, the many parents who give their time and talent were acknowledged. FWCC is looking forward its 40th choir season this fall! Scholarships Awarded Seven singers received scholarships at the Recognition Ceremony. The recipient, scholarship, and its description follows: **BAILY FRITZ: Neumann Scholarship - This scholarship was created by the FWCC to honor Theresa Neumann, the FWCC's first 10-year member, and Greg Neumann, the FWCC's first 12-year member. A full-scholarship is given to an FWCC Youth Chorale member who has demonstrated dedication to the program. The recipient of this scholarship is determined by the FWCC staff. **BRANDON PORTER & SARAH CECKOWSKI: Heartland Chamber Chorale Scholarship - This half scholarship  is awarded to two members of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir who have demonstrated dedication to and passion for the program. The recipients of this scholarship are determined by the FWCC staff.  **MIKAH SUNDERMAN: Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship - This half scholarship is awarded to a member of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir who has demonstrated dedication to the program. The recipient of this scholarship is determined by the FWCC staff. **PEYTON SCOTT & GABE CIESLIK:  Ator Scholarship - This scholarship was created by Jim and Irene Ator to offset the cost of tour for a Concert Choir member(s) who demonstrated dedication to the program. The recipients of this scholarship is determined by the FWCC staff and Irene Ator. **NOAH ISCH: Fred Meads Scholarship - The Fred Meads Scholarship was awarded for the first time for 2010-2011 season.  The scholarship stemmed from the Fort Wayne Children's Choir staff and generous donors who wanted Mr. Meads' legacy to continue.  Mr. Meads spent fifteen years with the Fort Wayne Children's Choir and ten of those years were as the Artistic Director. Mr. Meads wanted this full scholarship to go to a current Treble Choir member who has demonstrated dedication, leadership and a genuine desire to learn what it takes to be a good musician. The recipient of this scholarship is determined by the FWCC staff. "In the Spotlight"   Crystal Harter, FWCC Board Member Crystal Harter is an alumnus of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir from 1989-1991.  During this time, she toured with the choir to Buffalo, New York, Niagra Falls, and throughout Ontario, Canada.  The FWCC made a fundamental impact on her childhood development and she has many happy memories as a choir member!  Crystal has served on the FWCC board of directors since 2010 and is the Parent Association board liaison. Crystal is a Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Associate Representative, with her husband, Nicholas Harter.  Crystal and Nick work with clients to identify their financial security needs and then focus on solutions that can help make those financial goals a reality. Crystal is also a Limited-Term Lecturer for IPFW, teaching Retirement Plan Fundamentals, and enjoys watching her students learn about the complex world of retirment planning. Crystal, Nick, and their daughter, Samantha, enjoy vacations on the beach, lounging in their hot tub, and hanging out with family.   QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-05-04T13:13:23+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-names-new-artistic-directo1 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-names-new-artistic-directo1#When:14:26:02Z The Fort Wayne Children's Choir is proud to announce they have hired a new Artistic Director - Jonathan Busarow. Mr. Busarow comes to the FWCC family after finishing a year teaching in the choral program at Valparaiso University. Prior to his time at Valparaiso, he completed is Master's Degree in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University, as well as his Kodaly Certification from Capital University. Mr. Busarow has high energy, strong passion for artistic excellence, and a clear vision for leading the artistic efforts of the organization. FWCC is so pleased he's joining the team. Mr. Busarow will start on July 2, and will be full-time in the office working with the staff and preparing the upcoming 40th concert season.  Mr. Busarow, and his wife Nicole, are excited to be relocating in Fort Wayne and are looking to plant roots here in the community.  Uncategorized, 2012-04-28T14:26:02+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-april-26 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-april-26#When:14:19:04Z CALENDAR Concerts & Performances Friday, May 4 6:30 pm - Whitley County Concert, Columbia City United Methodist Church WHITLEY & YOUTH CHORALE Sunday, May 20 6:30 pm - Fantacular, Columbia City High School, WHITLEY Friday, August 10 7:00 pm - CHORALFEST Concert, Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park ALL CHOIRS FWCC Recruiting Know a talented young singer? FWCC will be holding auditions in May. Contact the office for more information, 260.481.0481. SPRING CONCERT! The Spring Concert was absolutely wonderful. From the combined choirs opening with the National Anthem to their closing number, Why We Sing, the audience was treated to the talent of all of the FWCC choirs. The Lyric and Whitley Regional choirs performed the 2012 Fort Wayne Children's Choir commissioned piece by composer Malcolm Dalglish entitled Soaring Across Breath. It was accompanied by Becky Walter on the hammered dulcimer. Young People's Concert Wow! The Young People's concert was impressive! The FWCC singers were awesome and the 400 students and adult guests were a wonderful audience. The audience was fully engaged in the activities. Some of the comments from teachers follow: * I really appreciated how you interacted with the students with the kids was awesome! * Keep up the GREAT WORK!! You represent Fort Wayne very well! * I appreciated the opportunity for our kids to hear some good singing and the interactive activities were engaging. And from a music education student: "This was awesome! I had no idea that the Fort Wayne Children's Choir sounded like this! I am so glad I came!" NEW Artistic Director - from Denice Beights I am proud to announce we have hired a new Artistic Director - Jonathan Busarow. Mr. Busarow comes to the FWCC family after finishing a year teaching in the choral program at Valparaiso University. Prior to his time at Valparaiso, he completed is Master's Degree in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University, as well as his Kodaly Certification from Capital University. Mr. Busarow has high energy, strong passion for artistic excellence, and a clear vision for leading the artistic efforts of our organization. We are so pleased he's joining our team. Mr. Busarow will start on July 2, and will be full-time in the office working with the staff and preparing our upcoming 40th concert season. You're welcome to call or come by to meet him. We will have some official meet and greet times as we approach Choralfest - so stay tuned for dates and times. Mr. Busarow, and his wife Nicole, are excited to be relocating in Fort Wayne and are looking to plant roots here in our community. I know you will enjoy working with him.    "In the Spotlight" Jennifer Fisher, FWCC Board Member Jennifer Fisher's professional and personal background has given her a unique perspective on working while pursing one's passion. As a college student, Jennifer realized that she wanted music to be a part of her life and she has created a professional career and music career that have run parallel to one another ever since. Jen not only works for the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce as the Graduate Retention Program Director, she also consults for the local organization LendingaHand.net, is the business manager and lead singer for the country band Sugar Shot, speaks regularly to audiences about pursuing passion, using social media to get a job, and many other topics, sits on the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne Children's Choir, writes monthly articles for the blog Generational Soup and for a monthly magazine called The Emphasis, and is in the process of writing a book titled "Walking with Eli". Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Kentucky Christian University, and she possesses a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Saint Francis. QUICK LINKS FACEBOOK YOUTUBE Uncategorized, 2012-04-28T14:19:04+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-april-19 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-april-19#When:20:23:20Z CALENDAR Concerts & Performances April 22 4:00 pm - SPRING CONCERT Auer Auditorium, Rhinehart Music Center IPFW Campus - Tickets available online April 23 10:00 am - YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERT, Rhinehart Music Center IPFW Campus (Interactive concert for elementary students) April 25 7:00 pm - TinCaps Game FWCC sings the National Anthem FWCC Recruiting Know a talented young singer? FWCC will be holding auditions in May. Contact the office for more information, 260.481.0481.   Thank you! Many thanks to the friends, family, staff and board members that supported the Red Robin and Nelson's Chicken fundraisers! "In the Spotlight" Jeff Fritz, FWCC Board Member Jeff Fritz is currently Manager, Government Affairs for the U.S. Central Region where he represents DuPont to state governments in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.  In this role he supports DuPont's thirteen diverse businesses through advocacy, public policy leadership and business development efforts.  He also serves as a member of DuPont Government Affairs' Agricultural Policy Team. Prior to joining DuPont, Jeff was employed by Central Soya Company, Inc for 24 years.  He served in various roles including Director of Corporate Affairs with responsibility for Central Soya's Washington, D.C. office and the company's public affairs efforts, as well as Director of Corporate Development where he led the evaluation and commercialization of new products and technologies. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and was a charter member of the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program.  Jeff currently serves as a board member for several mid-west professional organizations and councils.  In the community, Jeff serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne Children's Choir and as President of the Board of Directors of Gateway Woods, a ministry to troubled youth and their families. Jeff, his wife, Carla, and their three children live in Fort Wayne, Indiana.   SPRING CONCERT!! The SPRING CONCERT is Sunday, April 22 at 4 pm at the Rhinehart Music Center on the IPFW campus. This is the final concert for the 2011-2012 season. All of the FWCC choirs will perform. Ticket sales are available online or at the IPFW Larson Ticket Office located in the Athletic Center. The ticket office is open Monday-Friday, 12:30-6:30 pm. Advance tickets are $12/Adult and $9/Student and Senior. Tickets at the door will be $15/Adult and $12/Student and Senior. The concert is not recommended for children five and younger due to the length of the program.  Be sure to check out the following ways to support FWCC during intermission at the Spring Concert: * NOTEWORTHY - FWCC will be celebrating its 40th anniversary during the 2012-13 choir season. During the anniversary season, we would like to give our singers more opportunities to work with some of the best choral clinicians in the country. By donating to our Noteworthy campaign you can help us bring the clinicians to Fort Wayne to work with our amazing singers. Select a Noteworthy envelope, $1.00-$100, and make our 40th the best season ever! * PARENT ORGANIZATION BASKET RAFFLE - Each choir is sponsoring a theme basket filled with "goodies" that will be raffled at the concert. There is something to appeal to everyone! * FWCC LOGO ITEMS - Check out what is available to take home or order! Perfect for celebrations of any kind or just because...   QUICK LINKS FACEBOOK YouTube         Uncategorized, 2012-04-19T20:23:20+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-30-april-8 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-30-april-8#When:17:10:35Z CALENDAR Save the Date! April 14 10 am - 3 pm - Nelson's Chicken Fundraiser, former Scott's parking lot at the corner of Dupont & Coldwater Roads April 16 11 am - 10 pm - Red Robin Fundraiser, Glenbrooke Mall April 22 4:00 pm - Spring Concert Auer Auditorium, Rhinehart Music Center Advance Tickets: Avaliable at the Larson Ticket Office in the IPFW Athletic Center, open Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Adult-$12 Senior/Student-$9 At the door: Adult-$15 Senior/Student-$12 April 25 7:00 pm - TinCaps Game FWCC sings the National Anthem   Spring Break The FWCC offices will be closed the week of April 1 for Spring Break. There will not be an e-newsletter next week. Spring Plant Sale! FWCC singers are in the middle of their annual spring plant sale this week. The proceeds benefit the entire organization and also give the singers an opportunity to win some great prizes for their selling effort. Partnering with Broadview Florists and Greenhouse on Winchester Road, a variety of plants are available: annual pots, bedding and vegetable flats, perennials, hanging baskets, hibiscus tree, and geranium tree. A "purchase" is identified by a coupon that in turn is used at Broadview. If you know a singer, please buy from him or her. The top two sellers will receive their 2012-13 tuition paid in full. If you don't know a singer and would like to participate, please call the office, 260-481-0481. For your convenience an order form and plant description are attached. FWCC Recruiting Know a talented young singer? FWCC will be holding auditions in May. Contact the office for more information, 260.481.0481. "In the Spotlight" Don Maurice, Jr., FWCC Board Member Don Maurice, Jr. graduated from IPFW with a BS in Business Management and an MBA.  He is currently the CFO for Source One Solutions, Inc., which is a locally owned technology services company.  He is also a member of the Anthony Wayne Rotary Club. About 20 years ago, Don was a member of the FWCC when Ty Magsig was Director and his mother was on the Board of Directors.  He also has a nephew that is currently in his first year with the Apprentice Choir.  Fast forward to now, Don still loves to sing but he only gets the chance to sing at church, in the car, or in the shower! In Don's free time, he loves playing with his 2-year old son and his wife of five wonderful years!  He is a huge Michigan Wolverine fan, Go Blue! He also loves to listen to, and sing, Christian and Country music. BLUE MAN TICKET WINNERS! Congratulations to  Grace Bristol, Lyric Choir, and Kirsi Smith, Youth Chorale. They each won two tickets to attend a Blue Man Group performance in April. Thank you to the 14 singers who attended a concert and/or invited someone to attend yours!   QUICK LINKS Facebook  YouTube     Uncategorized, 2012-03-30T17:10:35+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-22-april-1 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-22-april-1#When:20:19:23Z CALENDAR Save the Date! April 22 4:00 pm - Spring Concert Auer Auditorium, Rhinehart Music Center April 25 7:00 pm - TinCaps Game FWCC sings the National Anthem   Spring Plant Sale! FWCC singers begin their annual spring plant sale this week. The proceeds benefit the entire organization and also give the singers an opportunity to win some great prizes for their selling effort. Partnering with Broadview Florists and Greenhouse on Winchester Road, a variety of plants are available: annual pots, bedding and vegetable flats, perennials, hanging baskets, hibiscus tree, and geranium tree. A "purchase" is identified by a coupon that in turn is used at Broadview. If you know a singer, please buy from him or her. The top two sellers will receive their 2012-13 tuition paid in full. If you don't know a singer and would like to participate, please call the office, 260-481-0481. For your convenience an order form and plant description are attached. Spring Break The FWCC offices will be closed the week of April 1 for Spring Break. FWCC Recruiting Know a talented young singer? FWCC will be holding auditions in May. Contact the office for more information, 260.481.0481. Looking ahead to April... April 16 the Red Robin restaurant will host a fundraiser for FWCC. A percentage of the day's sales will be returned to the organization. Last December we received over $600! It's a win-win if you are a person who eats! (And they have more than gourmet burgers!) Thank you... Thanks to those of you who donated towards Blue Man Group tickets for our drawing. It still isn't too late if you want to make a donation of any size! The drawing is for singers who attended one of the FWCC February/March concerts in which they were NOT performing. Call the office to make arrangements, 260.481.0481, or mail your donation. "In the Spotlight"  Ingrid Laidroo-Martin, FWCC Board Member Ingrid is in her 22nd year of employment with Fort Wayne Community Schools and has spent most of that time in the elementary level.  This is her 3rd year as principal at Irwin Math/Science Elementary School.  She was born to two Estonian immigrants and raised with two cultures.  Music has been a strong influence in her life as she watched her dad play the accordion, and her brother excel on the trombone.  Music makes her feel complete.  Ingrid has been playing the saxophone since the 5th grade and played and sang in a local band called the Agency for two years.  Being part of FWCC allows her to stay connected to music and use her influence to help further musical aspirations of youth.  She believes it is a great combination, given her passion for kids and learning.  QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-03-22T20:19:23+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-15-25 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-15-25#When:20:07:30Z CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY   FAME - (The Foundation for Art and Music in Education) FAME's mission is to foster and perpetuate creativity through multicultural arts education. They believe in the value and power of the arts to kindle the imagination, encourage creative thinking, and enhance human development. FWCC has participated in FAME for 10+ years!! Save the Date! April 16 - The next RED ROBIN fundraiser! FWCC made over $600 during the last RED ROBIN fundraiser. All you have to do to participate is EAT! April 22  4:00 pm - Spring Concert Auer Auditorium, Rhinehart Music Center   Hope you didn't miss it!! This past Saturday was a wonderful day for the FWCC Concert Choir! They hosted the Chicago and Cincinnati Children's Choirs for a combined concert. From the time that FWCC greeted the buses to the last exchange of names & numbers for email, texting, and Facebook, the kids had a great time informally singing, rehearsing, and performing. Thank you to the parents who provided lunch for the three choirs! Athena Awards - Denice Beights The ATHENA Award is presented to an individual who is recognized for professional excellence, for providing valuable service to the community and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The ATHENA Award highlights what recipients have accomplished in addition to paving a path for future successes. The award is established through local host organizations in partnership with ATHENA's national underwriters, local businesses and individual sponsors. The Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce awards Leadership and Young Professional Leadership recognition. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence. FWCC executive director Denice Beights was nominated for the Young Professional Leadership award this year. Young Professional Leadership nominees are emerging leaders age 40 or younger who meet each of the following criteria: • Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in his or her business or profession • Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community • Clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally Congratulations, Denice! Attention: Summer Scholarship Opportunity  The Downtown Rotary Club annually has a scholarship program for students who are going to a summer musical camp or program. The students apply, audition and can receive some funds to help defray their program costs. This is a fine opportunity for music students to acquire additional knowledge and training, especially for those who are at advanced levels, and possibly even choosing a career in music.  Please note that this pertains to allmusical instruments and not just piano. Vocal training is not included because Mr. Fox, for whom the scholarship is named, was a band director. Attached are the documents which explain the process. Cleo Fox Scholarship:  Cover Letter   Application This is the final time this information will appear in the FWCC E-News.   Spring Plant Sale! FWCC singers have begun their annual plant sale. The proceeds benefit the entire organization and also give the singers an opportunity to win some great prizes for their selling effort. Partnering with Broadview Florists and Greenhouse on Winchester Road, a variety of plants are available: annual pots, bedding and vegetable flats, perennials, hanging baskets, hibiscus tree, and geranium tree. A "purchase" is identified by a coupon that in turn is used at Broadview. If you know a singer, please buy from him or her. The top two sellers will receive their 2012-13 tuition paid in full. If you don't know a singer and would like to participate, please call the office, 260-481-0481. For your convenience an order form and plant description are attached. "In the Spotlight"  John Foxworthy, FWCC Board Member As a para-planner for nearly two years, John worked with the Financial Advisers to prepare for investment management and financial planning client meetings.  As he transitioned to a Financial Adviser role with Phillips, he partnered with experienced advisers to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to individuals and families. He also works to help clients develop and achieve their financial goals by performing custom analysis as needed in the investment review and annual financial plan review processes. John joined Phillips Financial with nearly 10 years experience in the banking and financial services industries. He graduated from Ball State University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance with concentrations in financial planning and investment analysis. John lives in Fort Wayne with his wife Jill and their two sons. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, photography, playing the steel drums and teaching percussion at a local high school. It was overheard... Some overall impressions from Saturday's three-choir exchange: * A great time with new friends * Singing in the lobby "flash mob" was FUN! * We sang in parts * Everyone knew many of the songs * No one judged one another * Music was energetic and more upbeat * There was strength in numbers (Cincinnati) * There were individual strengths (Chicago) * The visiting choirs looked confident, were prepared, showed expression, and raised the standard of performance    QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube Uncategorized, 2012-03-15T20:07:30+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-1-march-11 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-march-1-march-11#When:23:26:27Z   CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Saturday, March 10 5:00 pm Friends Concert - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir, Chicago Children's Choir, and FWCC CONCERT Choir - Auer Hall, IPFW Rhinehart Music Center  Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY  12:40 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEYT Put This Date on Your Calendar! April 16 - The next RED ROBIN fundraiser! FWCC made over $600 during the last RED ROBIN fundraiser. All you have to do to participate is EAT!   FREE CONCERT! That's right, a FREE concert featuring THREE premiere children's choirs!  A week from this Saturday in the Auer Auditorium, Rhinehart Music Center at 5 pm you can listen to the Chicago Children's Choir and the Cincinnati Children's Choir when they join our own Fort Wayne Children's Choir for a concert you won't want to miss! Bring your neighbors, family, and friends.   Circle the State with Song! Last week the FWCC singers that participated in Circle the State with Song were acknowledged in the E-news. An apology to Nevaeh Dye on the misspelling of her first name and to Kate Toenges for omitting her name. Congratulations girls on your accomplishment.   "In the Spotlight" Rosemarie Bostelman, FWCC Board Member Rosemarie Bostelman has served on the FWCC board of directors for six years. She is the president and founder of Bostelman Insurance Services, Inc., a multiple-lines independent insurance firm since 1977.  Rosemarie's expertise in the insurance field has provided her with numerous opportunities including creating Continuing Education courses for 15 years, insurance consultant with Indiana Department of Insurance, instructor and guest lecturer at local higher education institutions and numerous service clubs and organizations, and insurance law instructor.  She has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions and service within the industry. In addition to serving as past president of the FWCC board of directors, Rosemarie is a very active community member. She has served as a board member for Executive Women International for four years and this year she is beginning her 17th year as a reader for the blind with Northeast Indiana Radio Reading Service. Her other community work includes IPFW Riverfest, Parkview Health Cookin' Men, ARCH, Three Rivers Festival, and local neighborhood associations, to name a few. She was recognized for her volunteer work at the Kentucky Derby, is a past recipient of the "Governor's Volunteer Services Award" for the state of Indiana for developing an arts program for the profoundly learning disabled and her other volunteer activities. Rosemarie is a founding member of the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau board of directors and has served as a volunteer with the agency since 1975. Married to Rich Young, who retired from the Indiana Air Guard after 37 years of service, Rosemarie is the mother of three adult children and has four grandchildren.   ATTENTION FWCC SINGERS! The next time for FWCC singers to attend a concert and earn a chance to participate in the drawing for Blue Man Group tickets, is the e March 10 concert! If you are not performing, attend the choir performance and receive a chance to participate. Bring a friend and receive a second entry in the drawing (siblings do not count!) The Blue Man Group will be at the Embassy Theatre in April. Parents and friends of FWCC...would you consider making a donation to FWCC to help defray the cost of purchasing Blue Man Group tickets? Your donation will allow us to offer more than one set of tickets for the drawing. Any size donation is welcome! Please call the FWCC office, 481-0481, to make your contribution.   It was overheard that... The concert at Music on Old Mill last Saturday night was an overwhelming hit with the audience. Admin staff received numerous compliments about the music and requests that FWCC return! Congrats CONCERT and CHAMBER singers!! Are YOU Reading the E-NEWS?? FWCC is giving away two sets of two tickets for the March 13 concert! Calling starts Friday, March 2 at 9 am...NO voice mails accepted. (One winner per family, please)   QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube     Join Our Mailing List Uncategorized, 2012-03-01T23:26:27+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-23-march-4 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-23-march-4#When:19:27:01Z February 23, 2012 CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Saturday, February 25 7:30 pm - Concert at Old Mill Unitarian Universalist Congregation - CONCERT, CHAMBER Saturday, March 10 5:00 pm Friends Concert - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Chorus and FWCC CONCERT Choir - Auer Hall, IPFW Rhinehart Music Center  Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY  12:40 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY A Little More Information... Music on Old Mill Series The Unitarian Universalist Congregation is supportive of the musical arts. The Music on Old Mill series offers unique and talented artists to the community. FWCC leads off the series this Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 pm! Tickets are $10/adult and $5/student QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Circle the State with Song! What a busy time of year for the FWCC singers! ISSMA, show choir competitions, state honor choir, OMEA...the list is long! This week we are acknowledging singers that participated in last weekend's Circle the State with Song event. Congratulations to the following participants: Elementary:      Taylor Bock                  Charniece Gage-Scroggins      Maura Crist                  Elizabeth Lawler      Kara Davis                   Zara McCord      Alessia Devecchi       Garrett Redman      Elliana DiMarzio          Emily Stetka      Nevach Dye                 Elizabeth Weber Middle School:      Emily Poor      Sangeeta Reddy "In the Spotlight" Susie Peirce, Project Director Mrs. Peirce is known in the community for her collaborative work with nonprofit organizations. Although it has been several years since she played saxophone and marched in her high school band, she loves music and has an appreciation of music performance. Mrs. Peirce has worked with parents and children as a Fort Wayne Community Schools elementary school media clerk and television producer and as the WFWA PBS39 Education Outreach Coordinator. Her work at the television station included collaborative community programs and projects. Educated as a professional registered nurse, she worked at Parkview Hospital and Orthopaedics Northeast.  Currently Susie is a School Buddy for Big Brothers Big Sisters, a member of the United Way of Allen County Investment Cabinet, Community Transportation Network board member, and serves on additional committees for Fort Wayne Community Schools and United Way. She is the mother of two adult children. Her spare time includes watching football, reading, walking, needlework, sewing, and playing with her two dogs, Joey and Riley.   It was overheard that... Mrs. Phillips was very impressed with the dedication and hard work that was evident in this past Monday night's rehearsal.  All of the members present should be praised. Here are Mrs. Phillips comments she asked us to share:   I would love to tell them again how much I appreciate the rehearsal they just gave us....they were focused throughout the rehearsal.  Everyone there was intent on improvement and willing to work hard to correct details.  We really worked them like adults---an INTENSE rehearsal, and they stayed with me the whole way!  Eyes were on me, brains were on the music---they were anticipating what I was going to work on, they were fixing things on their own---I just can't say enough! Great job Concert Choir!  You can hear the CONCERT choir sing this Saturday, February 25. Check the concert details in the left column.   FREE CONCERT! That's right, a free concert featuring THREE premiere children's choirs! Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 10 at 5 pm in the Auer Auditorium, Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW campus. The Chicago Children's Choir and the Cincinnati Children's Choir will join our own CONCERT Choir for a concert you won't want to miss! Bring your neighbors, family, and friends.   Uncategorized, 2012-02-23T19:27:01+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-16-february-26 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-16-february-26#When:21:21:31Z FWCC E-Newsletter  February 16, 2012   CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Saturday, February 25 7:30 pm - Concert at Old Mill Unitarian Universalist Congregation - CONCERT, CHAMBER Saturday, March 10 5:00 pm Concert - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Chorus - CONCERT (Site: TBD) Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY  12:40 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY Other Concerts... Saturday, February 18 3:00 pm - IMEA Area 2 Circle the State with Song Choral Festival - Rhinehart Music Center (elementary and middle school singers); Doors open at 2:30 Tickets: $3 at the door Children under 12 are free 8:00 pm - IU Straight No Chaser (collegiate NOT the professional group) - C2G Music Hall, 333 Baker Street; Tickets $20 - Family friendly ACDA Conference Attending the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) regional conference in Fort Wayne this March? Check out some suggestions for attendees!   QUICK LINKS FACEBOOK YOUTUBE   ISSMA & OMEA! (Indiana State School Music Association and Ohio Music Educators Association) CONGRATULATIONS!  to the FWCC singers who participated at ISSMA and OMEA! Check out our list of participants on our website: ISSMA & OMEA Participants Please continue to share ISSMA results with us so we can recognize the FWCC singers. info@fwcchoir.org 2012 Indiana High All-State Honor Choir At their recent conference in Fort Wayne, the Indiana Music Educators' Association hosted the 2012 performance of the Indiana Choral Directors Association All-State Choir at the Embassy Theatre on Saturday, January 21. Two FWCC Youth Chorale singers participated in the program. Congratulations to Cecilia Snow, soprano, and Grace Minnick, alto, on their accomplishment. Grace attends Homestead and Cecilia is a student at Canterbury. "In the Spotlight" Donna Haywood, Financial/Administrative Assistant Mrs. Haywood has completed her first year on staff with the Fort Wayne Children's Choir as the financial and administrative assistant.  She has a BS in Marketing from Michigan State University, and an accounting degree from IPFW. Donna plays the flute in her church choir at Our Lady of Good Hope, and is a member of the Flute Ensemble, Fort Wayne Flutes. She currently has a daughter in the choir and two daughters who are alumni of the choir. FREE CONCERT! That's right, a free concert featuring THREE premiere children's choirs! Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 10 at 5 pm in the Auer Auditorium, Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW campus. The Chicago Children's Chorus and the Cincinnati Children's Choir will join our own Fort Wayne Children's Choir for a concert you won't want to miss! Bring your neighbors, family, and friends. Blue Man Group and FWCC?? In mid-March the FWCC choirs will be presenting performances on three different dates. We are encouraging our younger choirs to come and listen to the older choirs and for the older singers to reciprocate. To give them an additional incentive, singers that attend a choir performance, in which they are are not performing, receive a chance to participate in a drawing to see the Blue Man Group in April at the Embassy Theatre. They can increase their chances by having a friend attend a concert as well. And this is where you come in...would you consider making a donation to FWCC to help defray the cost of purchasing Blue Man Group tickets? Your donation will allow us to offer more than one set of tickets for the drawing. Any size donation is welcome! Please call the FWCC office, 481-0481, to make your contribution. Appleseed Children's Choir Festival Please note the new logo for the May 2013 children's choir festival hosted by FWCC. You will be hearing more about it the future. Uncategorized, 2012-02-16T21:21:31+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-issma-and-omea-participants http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/2012-issma-and-omea-participants#When:18:09:20Z CONGRATULATIONS! to the FWCC singers who participated in ISSMA and OMEA this year! FWCC Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Participants: • Vanessa Case – Gold (solo) • Gabe Cieslik – Gold (ensemble) • Alyssa Czartoski – Gold (solo and ensemble) • Taylor DuBose – Gold (ensemble) • Clark Eby – Gold (vocal); Silver (snare drum and marimba) • Baily Fritz – Gold • Sara Hodgini – Gold • Addi LaCroix – Gold • Meghan LaCroix – Gold (solo and two ensembles) • Ryan McCarthy – Gold (ensemble) • Grace Minnnick – Gold • Sangeeta Reddy – Gold (Level I vocal) • Payton Scott – Gold (ensemble & solo) • Samantha Stoiche – Gold • Mikah Sunderman – Gold (saxophone solo, trio, and quartet) • Kate Toenges  - Gold (vocal) • Mary Wilson – Gold Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) • Hayley Feichter – Superior (three ensembles) • Nate Hawley – solo and three ensembles • Kirsi Smith – Superior (flute, piccolo, and vocal)   Uncategorized, 2012-02-16T18:09:20+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-9-february-19 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-9-february-19#When:20:51:48Z FWCC E-NEWS  FEBRUARY 9 - 19, 2012  CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Saturday, February 25 7:30 pm - Concert at Old Mill Unitarian Universalist Congregation - CONCERT, CHAMBER Saturday, March 10 5:00 pm Concert - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Chorus - CONCERT (Site: TBD) Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY  12:40 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY Other Concerts Saturday, February 18 8:00 pm - IU Straight No Chaser (collegiate NOT the professional group) - C2G Music Hall, 333 Baker Street; Tickets $20 - Family friendly ACDA Conference Attending the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) regional conference in Fort Wayne this March? Check out some suggestions for attendees! QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Let Me Call You Sweetheart... Time is running out!! Act today! Order a Singing Valentine for a special someone in your life! On Valentine's Day singers from the Fort Wayne Children's Choir will deliver a singing valentine by phone for $10 between the hours of 5-6:00 pm. This fundraiser is a win-win... for you and FWCC! Please call the office to make arrangements for a valentine phone-a-gram, 481-0481. (We will accept VISA, Mastercard, check, and, of course, cash!) "In the Spotlight"   Janet Treadway, Director of Operations Mrs. Treadway, or "Momma T" as the kids affectionately call her, has been dedicated to the choir for over sixteen years, both as a volunteer and an employee. Her two daughters are alumni of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir Janet is an active participant on the Northrop Choral Association Parent Board and has served as co-chair of the Classique Show Choir Invitational as part of the Northrop Choral Association for the past 9 years, even though her children have been out of Northrop High School since 2007.  She still follows the show choir circuit and enjoys seeing current and former FWCC members in the local show choirs. She holds a degree in management from Akron University and is a 2011 graduate of Northeast Indiana Nonprofit Alliance's Emerging Leaders Program. Emerging Leaders is a program that helps to strengthen the leadership and organizational skills of mid-level and senior executives in northeast Indiana's nonprofit industry sector. In her spare time, she is a member of the Junior League of Fort Wayne and sings in her church choir with her father! Did you know... Members of the Indianapolis Children's Choir were the back-up singers for Kelly Clarkson at the Super Bowl XLVI. Ms. Clarkson sang the Star Spangled Banner. For more information...Indianapolis Children's Choir Gig! It was overheard that... *Brianna Henry is a seventh grader at Concordia Lutheran School and sings in the FWCC CONCERT choir. She often comes to the APPRENTICE choir's practice and waits with her mother while her younger sister rehearses. Instead of just waiting, Brianna offered to help the choir director with the younger children and her offer was readily accepted. When a requirement in a class at Concordia was to shadow a teacher for a day, Brianna chose Susan LaCroix, APPRENTICE choir director and music teacher at Holy Cross Lutheran. *Clark Eby was seen sitting quietly in different ISSMA competition rooms, listening and offering his support to other FWCC singers. Thanks, Clark! Your encouragement was much appreciated! Blue Man Group and FWCC?? In mid-March the FWCC choirs will be presenting performances on three different dates. We are encouraging our younger choirs to come and listen to the older choirs and for the older singers to reciprocate. To give them an additional incentive, singers that attend a choir performance, in which they are are not performing, receive a chance to participate in a drawing to see the Blue Man Group in April at the Embassy Theatre. They can increase their chances by having a friend attend a concert as well. And this is where you come in...would you consider making a donation to FWCC to help defray the cost of purchasing Blue Man Group tickets? Your donation will allow us to offer more than one set of tickets for the drawing. Any size donation is welcome! Please call the FWCC office, 481-0481, to make your contribution. Uncategorized, 2012-02-09T20:51:48+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-2-february-12 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-february-2-february-12#When:18:37:00Z   FWCC E-Newsletter February 2, 2012 CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Saturday, February 25 7:30 pm - Concert at Old Mill Unitarian Universalist Congregation - CONCERT, CHAMBER Saturday, March 10 5:00 pm Concert - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Chorus - CONCERT (Site: TBD) Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY  12:40 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY Other Concerts... Saturday, February 18 8:00 pm - IU Straight No Chaser (collegiate NOT the professional group) - C2G Music Hall, 333 Baker Street; Tickets $20 - Family friendly QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Let Me Call You Sweetheart... Order a Singing Valentine for a special someone in your life! On Valentine's Day singers from the Fort Wayne Children's Choir will deliver a singing valentine by phone for $10 between the hours of 5-6:00 pm. This fundraiser is a win-win... for you and FWCC! Please call the office to make arrangements for a valentine phone-a-gram, 481-0481. (We will accept VISA, Mastercard, check, and, of course, cash!) ACDA Conference Attending the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) regional conference in Fort Wayne this March? Check out some suggestions for attendees! http://www.choralnet.org/view/305506 (All of the artistic staff have been highlighted in the e-news. This week begins the introduction of the administrative staff.) "In the Spotlight"   Denice Beights, Executive Director/Interim Artistic Director Mrs. Beights has many years of experience in both the     for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and has a diverse background in fundraising, training, management, and volunteerism.  In addition to her role with the FWCC, Mrs. Beights is Adjunct Faculty for IPFW Continuing Studies, and teaches in the Leadership and Supervision series. She is an active community volunteer and is currently serving as President-Elect of the IPFW Alumni Association Board of Directors. She has been awarded the 2010 IPFW Alumni Citation, is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Fort Wayne and a 2006 Future 40 Award winner. A saxophonist, Mrs. Beights holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from IPFW.  During her free time, she loves watching Colts football with her husband, Mike, and her son, Joey. It was overheard that... * A CONCERT choir member told his school music teacher that she needed to help recruit more singers for FWCC. Why? Because he loves choir and wants more kids to have the opportunity! * A recording of FWCC singing the National Anthem was played at a local bowl-a-thon this past weekend! * This past weekend Brandon Porter received a first place for his vocal at the Churubusco Invitational for swing choirs. Blue Man Group and FWCC?? In mid-March the FWCC choirs will be presenting performances on three different dates. We are encouraging our younger choirs to come and listen to the older choirs and for the older singers to reciprocate. To give them an additional incentive, singers that attend a choir performance, in which they are are not performing, receive a chance to participate in a drawing to see the Blue Man Group in April at the Embassy Theatre. They can increase their chances by having a friend attend a concert as well. This is where you come in...would you consider making a donation to FWCC to help defray the cost of purchasing Blue Man Group tickets? Your donation will allow us to offer more than one set of tickets for the drawing. Any size donation is welcome! Please call the FWCC office, 481-0481, to make your contribution. Uncategorized, 2012-02-02T18:37:00+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/the-arts-teach http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/the-arts-teach#When:17:09:20Z reprinted from ChoralNet.com via National Art Education Association (NAEA) January 30, 2012 by Tim Sharp   In Elliot Eisner’s book The Arts and the Creation of Mind (2002, Yale University Press), Eisner states, “The arts' position in the school curriculum symbolizes to the young what adults believe is important.” In Chapter 4, What the Arts Teach and How It Shows, Eisner outlines Ten Lessons the arts Teach: The arts teach children to make good judgments about qualitative relationships. Unlike curriculum in which correct answers and rules prevail, in the arts, it is judgment rather than rules that prevail. The arts teach children that problems can have more than one solution and that questions can have more than one answer. The arts celebrate multiple perspectives. One of their large lessons is that there are many ways to see and interpret the world. The arts teach children that in complex forms of problem solving purposes are seldom fixed, but change with circumstance and opportunity. Learning in the arts requires the ability and a willingness to surrender to the unanticipated possibilities of the work as it unfolds. The arts make vivid the fact that neither words in their literal form nor numbers exhaust what we can know. The limits of our language do not define the limits of our cognition. The arts teach students that small differences can have large effects. The arts traffic in subtleties. The arts teach students to think through and within a material. All art forms employ some means through which images become real. The arts help children learn to say what cannot be said. When children are invited to disclose what a work of art helps them feel, they must reach into their poetic capacities to find the words that will do the job. The arts enable us to have experience we can have from no other source and through such experience to discover the range and variety of what we are capable of feeling. The arts' position in the school curriculum symbolizes to the young what adults believe is important.   Uncategorized, 2012-01-31T17:09:20+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-26-february-5 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-e-news-january-26-february-5#When:14:52:42Z FWCC E-Newsletter  January 26, 2012   CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Saturday, February 25 7:30 pm - Concert at Old Mill Unitarian Universalist Congregation - CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Saturday, March 10 5:00 pm Concert - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Chorus - CONCERT (Site: TBD) Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY  12:40 pm - FAME - Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY Other Concerts... Saturday, February 18 8:00 pm - IU Straight No Chaser (collegiate NOT the professional group) - C2G Music Hall, 333 Baker Street; Tickets $20 - Family friendly   QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Let Me Call You Sweetheart... Order a Singing Valentine for a special someone in your life! On Valentine's Day singers from the Fort Wayne Children's Choir will deliver a singing valentine by phone for $10 between the hours of 5-6:30 pm. This fundraiser is a win-win... for you and FWCC! Please call the office to make arrangements for a valentine phone-a-gram, 481-0481. (We will accept VISA, Mastercard, check, and, of course, cash!) "In the Spotlight"   Tim LaCroix, Director of Youth Chorale   Mr. LaCroix has been Director of Choral Music and Instructor of German at Concordia Lutheran High School since 1987. Under his direction, the CLHS A Cappella Concert Choir tours annually and has consistently advanced to the ISSMA State Contest. Mr. LaCroix obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Concordia University-Chicago and his Masters Degree from Ball State University. He has directed high school, community, and church choruses, taught university music courses, served as choral adjudicator and clinician, and served as Chair for Standards Committees of the American Choral Directors Association (State and Divisional levels). Currently, he is Director of Music at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne and a life member of the American Choral Directors Association. Mr. LaCroix is married to Susan (FWCC Apprentice Choir director) and father to three singing daughters, all members and alumni  of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. He enjoys European travel and summer time at the Minnesota lakes. FWCC Board Member Barbara Resch Heralded as "Hometown Hero" The Board of Directors for Visit Fort Wayne, the official convention and visitor's bureau for Fort Wayne and Allen County, recently recognized IPFW Associate Professor Barbara Resch as one of their "Hometown Heroes." The board extended their appreciation to Associate Professor Resch, director of music education and associate dean for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, for her leadership in bringing the Indiana Music Educators Association's (IMEA) annual conference and over 3,000 attendees to Fort Wayne for three consecutive years spanning 2011, 2012 and 2013. This year, the IMEA again met at the Grand Wayne Convention Center from January 19-21, 2012. The annual, state-wide professional development conference, routinely held in Indianapolis in previous years, focused on educational development for educators from elementary school through college. Attendees convening in Fort Wayne brought in an estimated $1.2 - 1.5 million dollars in direct spending to the local economy. Throughout the week, the convention presented eighteen (18) free public performances by youth vocal and instrumental honors groups from across the state at a variety of venues in Fort Wayne.  The highlight of the convention this year was an exciting performance by the The Canadian Brass at the Embassy Theatre last Friday, January 20. (From the IPFW College of Visual & Performing Arts online "Expressions")   FWCC Singers Perform with All-State Choirs Last week at the Indiana Music Educators Association's (IMEA) meeting in Fort Wayne, FWCC was represented in the elementary, middle, and high school all-state choirs that performed for attendees and the public. Cecelia Snow and Grace Minnick sang in the high school choir; Sangeeta Reddy sang with the middle school singers; and Taylor Bock performed with the elementary choir. Congratulations, ladies!     Uncategorized, 2012-01-27T14:52:42+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-announces-staff-accomplishment http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-announces-staff-accomplishment#When:18:41:54Z The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir proudly announces that Phyllis Boester, Fort Wayne Children’s Choir artistic staff member, has received the prestigious Kodály Music Certification from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. The Kodály Certification is a comprehensive  three year study in the practices of Zoltán Kodály, a world-renown music educator and author of one of the most well-regarded music education philosophies and methodologies. At the heart of the philosophy is the belief that music education is a core subject that is the birthright of every child. It is a complete and comprehensive approach to music education that begins in early childhood. The NEC Kodály Music Institute (KMI) consists of three levels of increasing musical and pedagogical complexity. Upon successful completion of three certificate levels, Mrs. Boester received a nationally recognized Kodály Music Teacher's Certificate endorsed by the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE). Mrs. Boester is the director of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir Lyric Choir, one of the organization’s seven ensembles. She is also a full-time Music Specialist for FWCS, presently teaching at Harris Elementary School, and serves First Wayne Street United Methodist Church as the Assistant Choir Director and Director of Children’s Music. Mrs. Boester is the Area 2 Middle School Circle the State with Song Coordinator and a dedicated member of the Heartland Chamber Chorale. “We are so proud of Mrs. Boester and her accomplishment,” said Denice Beights, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. “Mrs. Boester has worked hard to achieve this Kodály Certification, and we look forward to relying on her expertise in the field.”   Uncategorized, 2012-01-21T18:41:54+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-newsletter-january-19-29 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-newsletter-january-19-29#When:21:47:44Z   FWCC E-Newsletter January 19, 2012 CALENDAR FWCC Concert Dates Saturday, February 25 7:30 pm - Concert at Old Mill Unitarian Universalist Congregation - CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Saturday, March 10 Approx. 12:00-6:00 pm, including 5:00 pm Concert - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Chorus - CONCERT (Site: TBD) Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME at the Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY  12:40 pm - FAME at the Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY Other Concerts... Friday, January 20 7:00-9:00 pm - Purdue Glee Club (2 former FWCC singers are members) - St. Joe United Methodist Church, corner of Reed & St. Joe Center Roads; Free will donation to Purdue Music Department; Doors open at 6 pm, no reserved seating Friday, January 20 8:00 pm - Canadian Brass - Embassy Theatre Tickets: Adults/$28 and Students/$18 Saturday, February 18 8:00 pm - IU Straight No Chaser (collegiate NOT the professional group) - C2G Music Hall, 333 Baker Street; Tickets $20 - Family friendly Let Me Call You Sweetheart... Order a Singing Valentine for a special someone in your life! On Valentine's Day singers from the Fort Wayne Children's Choir will deliver a singing valentine by phone for $10 between the hours of 5-6:30 pm. This fundraiser is a win-win... for you and FWCC! Please call the office to make arrangements for a valentine phonagram. 481-0481. (We will accept VISA, Mastercard, check, and, of course, cash!)   QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   Congratulations!! This past week-end Guillaume Poudrier received first place and Brandon Porter received third for their respective solos at the Twin Lakes Show Choir Invitational in Monticello. Guillaume is a senior at DeKalb and Brandon is a senior at Northrop. There were seven soloists in the competition who are current or former FWCC members!  Artistic Director Search Update FWCC is "spot on" with its timeline in the search for a new artistic director. "In the Spotlight"   Joan Phillips, Director of Concert Choir Mrs. Phillips recently retired from East Allen County Schools where she taught choral music for 28 years, with 22 years at Leo Jr. Sr. High School.  At Leo she directed two jazz choirs, the concert choir and junior high choirs, as well as the drama and musical productions. She has served on the FWCC Music Advisory Board for 8 years. As an active member of both MENC and ICDA, she has served as Vocal Jazz Repertoire and Standards Chair on the ICDA board.  Mrs. Phillips received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University and a Masters degree in Secondary Education from IPFW.  She has taught piano and was an organist and children's choir director for many years in area churches.  She and her husband are both employed     part-time at their church, as a preschool teacher and accountant. They also enjoy ushering at the Embassy Theater in their spare time. Their two children are graduates of Taylor University.   ***** This would never happen to me... This past week the following story was included in an online newsletter that I receive. Most of us have forgotten to turn off our cell phones or other electronics in venues that we know are not appropriate. It is embarrassing to say the least! My guess is that 99.9% of us would say "this would never happen to me" but then I bet so did the gentleman in the story.  Which leads to the next article. ~ Susie During the New York Philharmonic's performance Tuesday night, it was interrupted by an iPhone. The jarring ringtone-the device's "Marimba" sound, which simulates the mallet instrument-intruded in the middle of the movement, emanating from the first row at Avery Fisher Hall. When the phone wasn't immediately hushed, audience members shook their heads. It continued to chime, and music director Alan Gilbert turned his head sharply to the left, signaling his displeasure. Minutes passed. Each time the orchestra reached a quiet section, the phone could be heard about the hushed, reverent notes. Finally, Mr. Gilbert could take no more: He stopped the orchestra. A Philharmonic spokeswoman said Wednesday the music director has never before halted a performance because of a cellphone or any other type of disruption.As the offending noise continued in a loop, Mr. Gilbert turned in its direction and pointedly asked that the phone be turned off. The audience let out a collective gasp. The ringtone-believed to be an alarm-played on. The audience wasn't pleased. A Wall Street Journal reporter seated in the 19th row heard jeers hurled from the balconies. One man screamed: "Enough!" Another yelled: "Throw him out!" The audience clapped and hollered in agreement-and still the tone continued to sound amid the din. To finish the story...click here! CONCERT ETIQUETTE for ADULTS 1. Refrain from talking - first and greatest rule; includes whispering to or disciplining your other children 2. Refrain from unwrapping noisy candy wrappers during the performance - if the composer wanted to include crinkle paper noises to the music, he/she would have written it into the parts 3. Turn off pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms - While many phones and pagers now have very symphonic-like rings, they don't always fit into the musical score, nor do they provide pleasant sounds for your neighbors 4. Do not wave to your child during the concert - After all, they do know who you are already and they know you are there; you most likely brought them to the concert 5. Do not take flash photography - You don't want your child to walk off the edge of the stage from flashblindness, do you? 6. Please do not walk down the center aisle with your video camera - Video cameras work just as well from the back of the auditorium (besides, the light is usually not good enough for video taping anyway) 7. Do not leave as soon as your child's portion of the concert is over - All of the singers deserve a full audience for their performances. Remember the next time your child's song could be last! 8. Applaud at appropriate times - Some music has several sections. Remember, it's not over until all of the sections have been performed. 9. Do not leave the auditorium during the music - Wait for a break in the concert to visit the restroom, unless you are carrying a screaming child, in which case you should quietly and quickly. PLEASE! 10. Go to the concert expecting the best - You just might be surprised how good your singer sounds when the other singers join in! From the National Association of Music Education web site: http://www.menc.org/resources/view/rules-for-concert-etiquette http://www.menc.org/documents/mf/parents.pdf Uncategorized, 2012-01-19T21:47:44+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-announces-the-2013-young-voices-childrens-choir-festival-dates-and-cli http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fwcc-announces-the-2013-young-voices-childrens-choir-festival-dates-and-cli#When:16:59:10Z The 2013 Appleseed Children’s Choir Festival for Young Voices will take place May 3-5 on the Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne campus. The 2013 clinician will be Josh Pedde, assistant artistic director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Hosted by the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, the event is an excellent opportunity for choirs with 5th-8th grade singers who have not traveled with their respective organization to get a “taste” of the traveling experience.  Uncategorized, 2012-01-18T16:59:10+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/concert-etiquette-for-adults http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/concert-etiquette-for-adults#When:16:25:06Z 1. Refrain from talking - first and greatest rule; includes whispering to or disciplining your other children 2. Refrain from unwrapping noisy candy wrappers during the performance - if the composer wanted to include crinkle paper noises to the music, he/she would have written it into the parts 3. Turn off pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms - While many phones and pagers now have very symphonic-like rings, they don't always fit into the musical score, nor do they provide pleasant sounds for your neighbors 4. Do not wave to your child during the concert - After all, they do know who you are already and they know you are there; you most likely brought them to the concert 5. Do not take flash photography - You don't want your child to walk off the edge of the stage from flashblindness, do you? 6. Please do not walk down the center aisle with your video camera - Video cameras work just as well from the back of the auditorium (besides, the light is usually not good enough for video taping anyway) 7. Do not leave as soon as your child's portion of the concert is over - All of the singers deserve a full audience for their performances. Remember the next time your child's song could be last! 8. Applaud at appropriate times - Some music has several sections. Remember, it's not over until all of the sections have been performed. 9. Do not leave the auditorium during the music - Wait for a break in the concert to visit the restroom, unless you are carrying a screaming child, in which case you should quietly and quickly. PLEASE! 10. Go to the concert expecting the best - You just might be surprised how good your singer sounds when the other singers join in! From the National Association of Music Education web site: http://www.menc.org/resources/view/rules-for-concert-etiquette http://www.menc.org/documents/mf/parents.pdf Uncategorized, 2012-01-18T16:25:06+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-newsletter-jan-12-22 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/fort-wayne-childrens-choir-newsletter-jan-12-22#When:22:11:20Z FWCC E-Newsletter - January 12, 2012   The Fort Wayne Children's Choir office is closed Monday, January 16 in recoginition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. CALENDAR Looking ahead... Saturday, February 25 7:30 pm - Concert at Old Mill Unitarian Universalist Congregation - CONCERT, YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Saturday, March 10 5:00 pm - Exchange with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Chorus - CONCERT (Site: TBD) Tuesday, March 13 7:30 pm - Young Artists Concert - IPFW Rhinehart Recital Hall - YOUTH CHORALE, CHAMBER Sunday, March 18 12:20 pm - FAME at the Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY CO. 12:40 pm - FAME at the Grand Wayne Center - LYRIC, APPRENTICE, WHITLEY CO. Other Concerts... Friday, January 20 7:00-9:00 pm - Purdue Glee Club - St. Joe United Methodist Church, corner of Reed & St. Joe Center Roads; Free will donation to Purdue Music Department; Doors open at 6 pm, no reserved seating Saturday, February 18 8:00 pm - IU Straight No Chaser (collegiate NOT the professional group) - C2G Music Hall, 333 Baker Street; Tickets $20 - Family friendly QUICK LINKS Facebook YouTube   "In the Spotlight"   Donna Hartleroad, Accompanist for Treble Choir This is Mrs. Hartleroad's first year of accompanying the FWCC Treble Choir for Mrs. Pierson, but that doesn't mean she's new to the FWCC. Mrs. Hartleroad was the former accompanist for Concert Choir working with Mr. Meads. She also accompanies at IPFW where she assists students in preparation for performances, competitions, and degree recitals and also maintains a private piano studio. Mrs. Hartleroad serves as the Director of Music at Shoaff Park Baptist Church. Previously, she was coach and accompanist for the IPFW Department of Music and served as Assistant Musical Director for the IPFW University Singers, Chamber Singers and Opera Ensemble.   Mrs. Hartleroad has a degree in piano performance from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio and has done   post-graduate work at Ohio State University. She and her husband Randy, an engineer, have two children. From the Choral Journal column, "From the President" by William Hatcher "In the midst of a nationwide uphill battle to preserve the quality of music teaching in our schools, it is exciting to witness the growth in numbers and quality of children's choirs over the past few years. These choirs are often found outside of our school systems, signaling the very healthy sign that parents are becoming more involved and supportive. The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Repertoire and Standards Committee on Children's Chorus has only been in existence since 1981. Initially chaired by Doreen Rao and led since 1988 by Barbara Tagg, it clearly represents our fastest-growing area. Barbara and the regional and state chairs have been absolutely tireless in their endeavors to promote the children's choir movement. Their efforts have been in abundant evidence at recent national conventions with performances by individual choirs, children's choir consortiums, national honor choirs, and a consistently healthy number of audition tape entries.  However trite it may sound, the future of choral singing does lie with our children. It is in this stage of development that young minds determine their values, feelings, and perceptions about the arts. It is vital that we all give our guidance and support to this area." BASEBALL and PERFECT ATTENDANCE What does perfect attendance and baseball have in common? Every singer that has perfect rehearsal attendance from January 16-April 13 will have the opportunity to have his/her name placed in a drawing to throw out an honorary pitch at the Wednesday, April 25 TinCaps baseball game. FWCC will be singing the national anthem that evening and will be recognized as as an outstanding organization by the ball club!   Fort Wayne Children's Choir Rhinehart Music Center 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 P: 260.481.0481            Uncategorized, 2012-01-12T22:11:20+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/thank-you http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/thank-you#When:20:57:47Z Thank you to all of our loyal singers, families and friends who ate cheeseburgers and fries for the kids at our Red Robin night in December. Because of YOU, we raised $642.37! Thanks so much for your support! Uncategorized, 2012-01-11T20:57:47+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/ipfw-and-fort-wayne-childrens-choir-to-host-grammy-winning-kings-singers-fo http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/ipfw-and-fort-wayne-childrens-choir-to-host-grammy-winning-kings-singers-fo#When:15:24:16Z Area high school choirs will have the chance to perform with one of the world’s most celebrated vocal ensembles on Monday, Oct. 31 at 4:30 p.m. at the IPFW Auer Performance Hall.  IPFW and the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir (IPFW Company-in-Residence), with support from First Presbyterian Music Series, will bring the Grammy-winning British a cappella group to campus on Monday, Oct. 31 for workshops with area high school choirs and singers.  Participating high school choirs will join in workshops with the group, as well as rehearse and perform a combined piece with them, along with some of their own choir’s music, in the hour-long workshop concert open to the public.  Anyone who has seen this group perform knows that it is an unforgettable experience.  IPFW’s Director of Choral Studies, Dr. Aaron Mitchell, is thrilled about the opportunity to bring singers together from area schools for the day. “We had set up workshops with the King’s Singers when I was working in Canada, and the impact on students was profound,” explained Mitchell.  “The group is just incredibly good, amazingly entertaining and flat-out brilliant.  They cross all boundaries in music and do it with impeccable skill and vitality.  Audiences love them because they perform such a wide variety of music--from Beatles to Madrigals--and are quite fun to watch.” Anyone interested in attending the workshop performance at 4:30 p.m. may purchase tickets for $7 (adults), $6 (seniors), or $4 (students) at the Schatzlein box office in advance or immediately prior, and more information is available at www.ipfwchoirs.com.  High school choirs interested in participating in the full festival (10 am-5:30 pm) will be accepted as space is available, and should contact Dr. Aaron Mitchell at mitchela@ipfw.edu. Uncategorized, 2011-10-17T15:24:16+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-10 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-10#When:14:48:58Z Sunday, July 31 I must admit I am writing this blog Sunday night (rather Monday morning) just after I have written Saturday’s blog.  We got back to the hotel Saturday night about 9:45pm and once the kids were settled, safe and sound, the luxurious bed looked too good to me, so the bed won out over the blog.  We still are not lucky getting on the internet and I even took the computer with me today thinking I would have time at the church or bus to write but it didn’t happen. We started the day with a wonderful breakfast.  Anything you could imagine.  The kids are still liking the chocolate croissants! We left for Wesley Chapel.  We arrived at the church and were greeted so graciously by many people.  The singers rehearsed and one of the ladies told me she checked us out and was so excited we were coming and she thoroughly enjoyed the blog!!  Didn’t know we had people in England following this. The nice woman, Thea,did tell me that I had made a mistake.  I called the flag the English flag I believe in reference to it possibly flying over Windsor Castle and I should have called it the British flag.  I do sincerely apologize! The minister came to talk to the kids before the service letting them know at what points they would be singing the three songs during service.  He also told them that the last song they would be singing “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” would be the ending of his sermon.  We didn’t realize at the time what he truly meant and how powerful that song would be.  The service was lovely and for the Methodists among us it was very special being in the church where Methodism was founded by John and Charles Wesley. The service had a baptism of a child named Thomas which happened to be the minister’s grandson.  During the sermon the minister referenced a large contingent of a family that was there having just buried one of their family members on Friday.  As it turned out, the 23 year old male member of their family had been murdered.  The pastor was really struggling with how to comfort everyone and was struggling with the understanding of such a tragedy.  Later in the service he brought the family forward for a special blessing and prayer. The service ended with the choir’s song that the pastor referenced as one that would help us understand how we can celebrate new life in Christ through a baptism and yet have to honor the life of a young man in death.  The words of the song fit so well.  “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”.  As the choir started singing the family members knew the song and started to sing along.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place at least from all of the chaperones.  So moving and the kids handled everything in such a mature manner.  We were so proud of them. Following the service, Thea took the Methodists of the group over to Wesley’s home and burial site.  It really meant a lot to us.  In one room of the house there was a chair that was used for men as a form of exercise to prepare them for riding horses.  Since Grace N. is familiar with horses, she let her in the chair and as she did, she was to get in position like she was riding a horse.  She then bounced up and down as if she were riding.  So sweet! We left the Wesley Chapel and went to the Tower of London where we had arranged a lunch in a place called The Kitchen.  They had set up the garden section of their place with blankets on the ground and it served as somewhat of a picnic for the kids to eat.  They had sandwiches, some of which were something new to try, fruit, and potatoes.  Once they were done they brought out freshly baked brownies that were still warm and some lovely pastries.  Was definitely a hit. Off to Tower of London.  Gavin took us around a little and explained a lot of the history and showed us the ravens! So intriguing that Bailey and Kyle both bought a stuffed raven in the gift shop.  Most of the singers went to see the crown jewels.  A lot went into the White tower which displays a lot of coats of arms, armor and artillery of the time period.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it.  I personally didn’t enjoy more steps in and out of the towers!! We got to take some more wonderful pictures along the Thames of the Tower of London Bridge.  We could see the Millennium Wheel or the “Eye” as they call it.  Last time the FWCC was here they were building it. Back on the bus to head for dinner.  We stopped at Covent Garden and got a little bit of shopping done before dinner.  Again Gavin took us through great little short cuts on streets of the main path.  As we walked around, all of the English pubs are so beautifully decorated with many, many pots of flowers hanging all around and in window pots.  There must have been a sale on white and pick petunias because you see them at all of these pubs and in baskets all over hanging on light poles.  I’m jealous because I could never make flowers grow this huge! Our dinner was at a place called Brown’s which turned out to be an old court house.  We were in a room upstairs which was a courtroom and still had the main area where the judge and jury would be. We had pre-ordered meals of chicken or salmon and the meal was amazing.  Everyone seemed to enjoy.  Dessert was chocolate or apple tart and I think plates were completely clean!  Once the kids were done and they were getting restless, some of them got up and were showing each other dances starting with the waltz.  We especially enjoyed Jacob’s dancing because he was acting most like a “chap”.  He had bought a book earlier in the week about being a good chap and I think all of the boys are learning together.  There is even a special “chap” hug! Following dinner we found a bus station and took a double decker bus ride to Piccadilly Circus and found a souvenir shop to let them find some last minute souvenirs.  Allison, Vivienne and Bailey bought the cutest hats. We then took another double decker back to the hotel. It was certainly a highlight of the trip for many.  I’m sure our normal bus driver, Phil, enjoyed the night off! Once at the hotel it was lights out at 10:30 again because we have another busy day tomorrow.  Do I sound like a broken record?  Every day has been jammed packed and we love it. Uncategorized, 2011-08-01T14:48:58+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-9 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-9#When:14:41:34Z Saturday, July 30 Up and at it nice and early which worked out well because we were in our bus leaving our flats and the other choirs were waiting on the sidewalks with their suitcases. Gavin took care of us. As we pulled out he mentioned that we “didn’t mess about!” He then reminded us that we needed to fasten our seatbelts apart from the white stuffed swan that Sarah Cl. brought aboard.  We waved goodbye to the Cathedral and our favorite candy store Hotel Chocolate.  As we traveled to London Gavin again was full of amazing information. Such as London being 620 square miles and 6.9 million people. There are 300 languages spoken in London and Gavin asked how many we thought we would hear. We also learned that the Queen has a dog named Holly which our Holly thought was pretty neat.  We traveled through many areas surrounding London including Westminster, Kensington, Rochester, Dickens.  We learned the west end is the famous theatre district and the lower income part of town and has what they call social housing. We also drove through the financial district in which London is one of the three most important ones in the world including New York and Tokyo.  We passed by the MI 6 building that houses the investigative bureau that all the James Bond films were based on.  We saw where Rudyard Kipling and Charles Dickens lived.  We walked near Buckingham Palace and Gavin got us there at the perfect time.  He took us first to the stable yard at St. James Palace where he knew the new guards would be walking to the palace to replace the guards currently in duty.  Princes William and Harry have offices there. They are also working on beach volleyball courts on this property that will be the courts for the Olympics in 2012. We were right at the curb and got an amazing view of the guards leaving the stables.  Once they turned in front of us we quickly walked closer to the palace where we saw the royal band pass by and the old guards leaving. Buckingham Palace, we learned, has 240 bedrooms but only 78 bathrooms.  And we worried about sharing bathrooms! The Queen has 12 rooms that are hers and this is the royal working office of the Queen.  She wasn’t in because she was attending her granddaughter’s wedding. And yes, we saw the balcony where Prince William and Katherine kissed! Buckingham Palace also has over 50 acres of garden behind it. We also learned that the black plumes on the top of the guard’s hats have a meaning.  In war time, different regimes had different colors so a ranking officer could look across the battlefields and find his men.  And here we thought they were nice decoration.  Gavin said that the red garments they wear have a tag inside that say to treat this garment carefully.  Don’t  they know they went to battle in these??!! As we were walking around London it got a little crazy with people.  I relate it to Times Square on New Year’s Eve.  So many people.  I think the kids finally realize why we make them wear the same colored shirt and stay in chaperones groups!! Gavin took us around so many places with so much history I would be up so much later than I already am to tell you all about it.  We walked through alleys and streets where he would point out architecture, one street where one side was built in one century and the other side of the street another. We saw open air cellars that were used during the German invasion used for safety during bombing.  We saw replicas of Sedan chairs that were used to carry the women from place to home because the streets were not clean from horses. We learned how people were ranked by the number of windows in their home.  The more windows meant the more money they had and the more money that had to pay in taxes due to the number of windows. We learned that the tune Ring Around the Rosie had to do with the black plague.  Supposedly they would carry posies because they believed the smell would keep the disease away but as they carried their posies they still would “fall down” or die. The British sing it “tissue tissue they all fall down” meaning they would be using tissues as they are sick.  We Americans changed it to ashes and Ali C. shared that she learned it was because once someone died of the black plague their body was burned to ashes so the disease could spread further from the body. The houses didn’t have electricity and they needed a way to find their home at night because houses weren’t numbered.  The windows had different wood carving decoration above the doors in windows and candles would be lit behind that and as people walked the streets, the décor would be illuminated and they would see which home was theirs. Continuing on our walk we went thru Trafalgar Square which is used for many celebrations such as New Year’s.  A celebration was held there to announce the Olympics.  They have a digital countdown to the Olympic there which is fun to see.  There is a campaign going on in London to nominate a torch bearer for the Olympics.  We think we should all nominate Gavin.  He jokes that we shouldn’t because he plans to visit Yellowstone Park in the US during the Olympics to get away from the madness!  We were at Picadilly Circus and Covent Gardens as well. We saw St, Martins Cathedral which we found out was having a music of Handel concert this evening and guess who was able to attend?  Mr. C. and Mrs. Ator.  Obviously they were thrilled. We saw where Bram Stroker supposedly wrote Dracula, the famous Savoy and Ritz Hotels. Cesear Ritz was the original manager of the Savoy and he learned what he could and started his own chain, the Ritz Carlton.  We saw the Australia House that is used in the Harry Potter movies as the Gringolt’s (sp) Bank and the London School of Economics where Mick Jagger is a graduate! On to St. Paul’s Cathedral where Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married. We continue to see many architectural gems of Christopher Wren. As we drove we saw a store named Jacobs.  Jacob S. really liked that. We drove over London Bridge and glanced at the Tower Bridge which many mistake for the London Bridge. We saw an unusual building of vey modern architecture and found out it was the London headquarters of Swiss Re.  How funny.  We have a parent on the shadow tour that works for Swiss Re! The people of London call it the pickle because it is shaped like one although they tend to call pickles gherkins here. There is also a building under construction that is to be the tallest in London. We saw Shakespeare’s Theatre and the story is told that there was another theatre, the Rose Theatre.  Each theatre thought they were the best and competed.  If you were associated with one you didn’t dare mention or be involved in the other.  That, legend is told, is where Shakespeare got his line “a rose by any other named would smell as sweet”!  We drove we crossed the Thames five or six times. One time we stopped on the street by the Thames so we could get good pictures off the bus.  It is easier to zig zag across the way we did to see what we saw which was a major amount of things. We learned looking at Big Ben that the minute hand measures about the length of our tour bus. Pretty big! We saw an animal memorial which is to honor the animals that have died during war. We passed by the Royal Albert Hall which is just stunning. Across the street from it is a massive memorial to Prince Albert.  Very huge, stunning and lots of gold. In the middle of all of the tour of London, we checked into our hotel.  It is a very nice one and definitely built in a much newer century that the last two places we have stayed!  Check in went well.  We had the singers rest once we checked in before dinner.  Dinner was at the hotel and we shared with another choir that is here. The rooms are wonderful and the beds are extremely comfortable.  So nice to end the trip in luxury! After dinner we took the tube to go out sightseeing since the bus drivers time was used up during the day.  The kids did well getting on and off the tube and what a great experience.  They realized finally what “ mind the gap” means! They kept seeing the double decker buses and want to ride those.  We will see what tomorrow holds.  Off to bed by 10:30pm for another busy day tomorrow. Again I apologize for these blogs being late.  The only free internet is available on four computers in the lobby and there is constantly as line to use them.  The times we can get on email is limited.  So sorry.    Uncategorized, 2011-08-01T14:41:34+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-8 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-8#When:19:30:35Z Friday, July 29 Another morning to get ready for our last day in Canterbury.  I hear Mrs. Reddy has had a great helper in Alexandra O. helping to get breakfast ready each morning. All the singers have done pretty well about getting up and being ready on time. The place we are staying has brought us fruit, cereal, croissants, juice and milk for our breakfasts each day.  Of course Mr. Eby had to outdo some of the chaperones for breakfast.  Eggs!! We hear he is a good cook! Final rehearsal this morning had the singers rehearsing all of the songs one more time. During the Kyrie Mr. Leck was certain their Italian was a little off and he asked if they had put their Italian dictionary away. In another song he told them to “Mind the gap” meaning they breathed when they weren’t supposed to. He always has a great way to get a point across. At the end of rehearsal Dr. Flood told the singers they had learned their music extremely well before coming here and their directors did a good job preparing them for this festival and the singers should give them a hand.  He also acknowledged the accompanist and asked the singers if they realized how many notes he has had to play over the last couple days. He was going to release them early but Mr. Leck wanted to do one more! As we left one of the singers commented that they sang so powerful that they thought they were going to shatter the stained glass in the room! Following rehearsal was the last concert of other choirs.  Today it was the Australian Children’s Choir, The Children’s Choir of Carroll County and the Youth Chorale of Central Oregon. Again it was a treat to hear other children’s choirs and some sang familiar songs that FWCC has performed before. Lunch was a treat today.  Some of the chaperones left early and returned to the flats to prepare lunch for us so we walked back there.  The chaperones prepared a spaghetti lunch for us.  We all filed in to one of the kitchens, got our food and went outside to the courtyard and had a spaghetti picnic.  Definitely a FWCC first.  It was very good and a wonderful treat.  Singers got a little down time before we headed back to the cathedral for our clinic with Mr. Leck. We got to the room ahead of Mr. Leck so warm-ups had already started.  When he came in he commented that he recognized the vocal exercise they were doing. For those of you who don’t know, Mr. Leck was Mr. C.’s teacher in grad school at Butler University.  He first asked the singers to tell him what they had learned at the festival.  Grace said she learned about singing bright; Olivia said she learned to take risks; Cassie said she learned how to conserve her energy; Jacob A. learned that singing here is different than in Indiana; Grace N. Commented that she learned it is better to smile when you sing because if you don’t you look bored.  All good comments.  The choir sang Tching Tchinga Ryah first.  He asked them what the song meant. He told them to sing what it means with energy inside your body.  He asked if they had seen the little bells that people in India use.  The make the sound he wanted to hear them do when they sang the word Tching.  Crisp, short, clear. Next comment was not to bump the last word in the phrase.  Think about the important words in the phrase and what to emphasize and to do it with consonants. We are a small choir but we could be stronger.  He asked if they wanted to play a game.  Of course. The answer was yes! They got in a circle.  He asked them to sing like a 12 year old.  It was very sweet.  Now sing 16.  Right away the tone changed and they had more courage.  What happens if they become 18 year olds? Which did they like better..12 or 18.  Of course it was 18.  Then he told them to imagine they were in college and they were doing their senior recital and a scout was there from Julliard.  How would they sound?  It was a great sound and Mr. Leck said, “I think I’m liking this”.  Now they are 26 singing and someone from the Met was there. Again the sound built tremendously. This time Mr. Leck said, “You probably didn’t think you had it in you”.  Okay, now you are 36 and you are auditioning to sing for an Opera company in Milan how would you sound?  The choir was just amazing and the sound rang beautifully in the chapter house. Mr. Leck’s comment was, “Now you’ve found your Tching Tchinga Ryah.” He did another exercise with the same song and had Samantha S. and then Grace go around the circle while they sang and point out the people that had good expression and those who didn’t.  Next it was a color game.  What color do they want to sing?  When they picked different colors and sang them their tone changed. They sang the song again and Mr. Leck called out colors and it was interesting how the sound changed.  He also described different images as they sang and the sound changed as well.  It all comes down to knowing what you are singing, what you are singing about, singing properly and remembering the consonants.  Where have they heard these things before?!!?? They then did Bist du bi mir. Mr. Leck was very proud of their German being German himself. Then the questions about the song, who wrote it, when was he born, when did he die, how many wives did he have and how many children.  Wow, that’s really getting to know a composer.  He was making a point about finding out what was going on in that time period and does it dictate how you sing the song?  There are many versions of this song but the melody and bass line stay the same.  It all comes back to knowing what you are singing. Mr. Leck closed by telling them they did a good job and to remember to sing 36!  He wished them luck and thanked them for coming to the festival. One more chance for last minute shopping.  The kids had been telling Mrs. Treadway and Mrs. Ator they had to go to Hotel Chocolat.  Obviously a chocolate store.  They finally made it and bought some tasty treats.  We found out they have just opened a store in Boston.  Next time we are there I believe we will make an effort to find the store!  Such good chocolate! Off to one more dinner at the dining hall. Then we walked back to the flats again to put on our concert dress uniforms, and then back to the cathedral. The concert was beyond believable. Spectacular. One of the songs The Voice, used soloists at the beginning of the song.  Each director was to choose one singer to be in that small ensemble.  Mr. C. chose Samantha B.  She was so excited, especially since her parents are on the shadow tour and got to see her.  The concert closed with Homeland and the chaperones agreed that if that song and the concert didn’t move you to tears, there must be something wrong with you.  That about sums it up. It was great to have the parents of Samantha B. Mom of Mallory, Mom and Grandpa of Holly, parents of Alexandra C. and parents of Grace. M. there.  So glad we had some of our own there to share in this magnificent experience with us. As we left the concert and said goodbye to the Cathedral it was very moving to see it lit up in the nighttime sky.  As we walked back to the flats the singers were excited and hopefully very proud of themselves.  When we returned, the singers packed suitcases and some had a chance to sit around and talk with friends in their flat.  Not to be outdone, Mrs. Treadway did finally cook for her girls in her flat.  Fried cornflakes!  They girls loved them.  You’ll have to try them sometime. Off to bed and early to rise tomorrow to head for London!                                            Uncategorized, 2011-07-31T19:30:35+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-7 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-7#When:13:39:37Z Thursday, July 28 Lights out was 10:00pm last night so the singers hopefully took advantage of that and got some good sleep.  We were up and at it and left our flats by 8:00am for rehearsal. The morning rehearsal focused on the pieces they would sing at the Evensong tonight. Two of the pieces, Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis were written by Timothy Noon, a former assistant to Dr. Flood.  Another piece, For the Beauty of the Earth (Which we performed at our bon voyage concert) by Philip Stopford was written by another assistant of Mr. Flood’s as well.  He told them about the composers which it's always a treat to learn more about the people whose music you are singing. When they worked on the Magnificent Mr. Leck was a little disappointed that they weren’t showing much expression and asked what the song was about.  He told them they were Mary and they should be smiling and happy knowing they were carrying the Son of God. They tried again and he stopped them saying “Come on you are Mary, you’re pregnant!” That got a chuckle out of the kids, especially the boys!  I walked in rehearsal later when he was making references to dogs which I didn’t hear the beginning of it so you will have to ask one of the singers. While the singers were in rehearsal, our wonderful chaperones did some grocery shopping and showed up at lunchtime with sandwiches, chips and fruit.  One way to save the kids money and a welcome change to be able to stay near the Cathedral to eat and relax.  Thank you Chaperones! Following the fun lunch it was time for another performance of three of the choirs; The Calgary Children’s Choir, Roanoke Children’s Choir and The Kentucky Youth Chorale.  Wonderful choirs and a great experience for our kids to hear other groups.  Mr. C. is already checking with directors to get a repertoire to list to see if we might want to do some of the pieces in the future. And what did we have to do next?  Climb the circular stairway again to the choir room for our clinic with Dr. David Flood. It was described before how small the room is and that where the singers stand about fills the room with the grand piano.  The kids were asking how the piano got there …if they had to climb a narrow spiral staircase to get there.  “Was it built there?” was one of the questions.  David showed them a secret stairway behind some music shelves which lead to a hall way which lead to another section of the chapel and to another normal stairway.  Very interesting! The choir sang Make Me a Channel of Your Piece as the first piece Dr. Flood would evaluate.  This song has become a favorite since an FWCC alumnus, Greg Neumann, requested this be one of the songs the choir sang at his wedding in June. (Thanks, Greg) Right away Dr. Flood told them they have a nice sound but they could be so much bigger if they do a few things! First he worked on their projecting of the sound.  He explained a lot of how they shape their mouth, how they breathe and their posture all affect their sound. They really have already learned this but how easy it is to forget! He described to imagine they had a mouth full of petro and they were to light it and let the explosion of fire shoot out of their mouth.  In regards to posture he asked that they imagine they were guarding the Queen…how straight and proud they would stand. They worked on how they use their mouth for vowels by singing scales using the words ravioli and spaghetti.  There were a few giggles but it worked! As he worked he focused in on a few singers; Kyle had good posture and facials, Clark was singing well and expressive, Morgan was singing great low notes, Hayley had good posture.  He commented that Mallory should imagine a string on the top of her head pulling up.  She commented that she didn’t have good posture and he told she definitely can if she tried!!  He also used the analogy of an Indian woman with a jewel on her forehead.  They should project their sound from that jewel.  Consonants were next, especially on words at the beginning of phrases.  He used Clark several times for examples and after awhile he looked over at him and said “Yes, we’re friends!”  He was very personable with them. The next song was Bist du bei mir. He asked them if they knew what it meant. Wow, the looks on their faces.  Caught them of guard!  Diction really came into play here. He closed the session by telling them they sound beautiful, but the need to remember to sing more colorful.  Use the colors to have more energy and always stand tall.  He said they have a fabulous sound and 50 times better than an hour ago!  He was pleased and impressed and so were we.  We presented Dr. Flood with a CD and a FWCC coffee mug.  He was definately excited about the mug ! Following the clinic we went to the crypt which was closed for a funeral during our tour.  We had to be in silence and Gavin is not permitted to talk about it during that time.  Only official guides of the Cathedral are supposed to be giving information during any tour!  Gavin just told us info later!! Next we decided the kids needed down time.  Some went back to the flats and some stayed in town and found a place to just sit and relax. It was a short rest but much appreciated by most. Evensong was next.  The kids sat in the quire portion of the Cathedral.  The Australian choir was the official choir for the surface to do responses.  Adoramus Te, the Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis were sung as part of the service and Homeland was sung at the end as an anthem.  Once the service was over, the organist played a postlude which Mrs. Ator told us later the same song was played as the recessional at her wedding.  How sweet. Again words can’t describe the sound in this magnificent place. Many of the chaperones had tears in their eyes.  So moving.  We again hope the singers understand the meaning of being part of this tradition that has taken place for 1400 years.  (We talked to them about that when we got back to the flats.) After  Evensong, Mrs. Reddy and Mrs. Ceckowski arranged for pizza too be delivered.  Dominos in England!  A lot of choirs were passing by I think a little jealous!! It again gave our kids some down time without searching the town for a place to eat.  Yes there was more rehearsal!  They rehearsed in the quire section of the Cathedral to prepare for the concert tomorrow evening. How are the chaperones and staff holding up?  Not too bad.  I think Mrs. Treadway must have been a little tired last night when she mentioned in the blog that Mr. Crest did something with the singers!  We have a Mrs. Crist NOT a Mr. Crest!!! Today the chaperones took turns with the singers so that some could take some time off and relax and do what they wanted.  During evening rehearsal, some took a break and had some time together in town while the other chaperones stayed in rehearsal and took them back to the dorms.  I’ve e had a lot of chaperone groups in the many years the choir has been on tour and I must say this is one of the best groups! They are doing a great job filling in as “mum” and dad to the singers.  They are well taken care of. Tomorrow hold more rehearsal, a clinic with Mr. Leck and the concert in the evening which will surely be a highlight of the tour. Hope these blogs are giving you a small taste of what the children are experiencing.  Hope you are enjoying traveling with us on our journey.   Uncategorized, 2011-07-29T13:39:37+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-6 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-6#When:16:10:27Z Wednesday, July 27 The festival begins today.  The singers had breakfast in the flats and made their half hour trek to the Cathedral this morning.  We all have plastic wrist bands that are our entrance into the Cathedral.  We are special and get to go through a separate entrance.  The door to go in is an arched door that is about five feet high.  Needless to say most had to duck to enter especially the adults!! As we enter the grounds we are to be in the spirit of respect.  Again, no walking on the grass.  The singers were kept outside and brought into the rehearsal rooms by singing section.  The room is called the Chapter House which is like a large empty hall.  The rehearsal setting is lengthwise and the perimeter of the room is two stone steps surrounding the room.  That is where we chaperones get to sit and it is a little rough on the behind!!  The singers get the seats!! The festival began with one of the priests giving some history of the church and wishing the singers luck.  Mr. David Flood who is the music director of the church introduced himself and Henry Leck did the same.  Each director introduced themselves and had their respective singers stand and be recognized.  As the singers look around they see that all choirs are in t-shirts alike.  We know our singers don’t like it but hopefully they understand now seeing others choirs do the same.  David Flood explained to the singers that this Cathedral was based on cathedrals in Normandy France and were built to be sung in.   He wants them to fill this building with what it was made for…singing.  He also explained that most of the singers are used to singing vowels a certain way and that won’t work in a cathedral such as this one.  He went through exercises that showed the singers how they would sing their vowels.  Mr. Flood also talked to the singers about singing in the Evensong tomorrow.  This church has had an Evensong service every day for 1400 years. With their singing as part of that service they will become part of history and they should embrace that.  We hope our singers understand the magnitude of that statement. Mr. Leck was conducting Adoramus Te and seemed pleased with the sound this 250 voice choir was making.  He talked a lot with them about understanding the text and singing with emotion.  Mr. Flood directed two others that will be sung in Evensong.  He talked a lot about dynamics and at one point asked the singers if their parents follow road signs when they drive.  They said yes.  He then says, “You have road signs in your music as a singer why aren’t you using them?  Look at your music.”   Wonder where they have heard that before!  When it was time for a restroom break, the singers were told that there are not bathrooms in the cathedral that they would be directed to another building.  Why aren’t there restrooms?  We were told the monks did it differently! Our choir was released early to warm-up for our performance at noon.  They took us to the choir room which was in another part of the Cathedral and up a spiral stone staircase (more stairs!).  Once we got there it is a choir room where there are no chairs, just the long wooden stands that hold music.  While the singers the chaperones looked at the music library that was in music boxes surrounding the room.  The room wasn’t very big to begin with but there are hundreds of boxes of music, many of which we have sung as a choir.  When it was time we descended the stairs and went to the high altar section of the church to sing.  Before we sang a priest had a blessing and prayer and all were invited to say the Lord’s Prayer or pray their special prayer whatever their religion to their one on high.  This is actually done every hour on the hour. Our singers sang three songs, join the White Rock Children’s Choir for Can you Hear and then White Rock sang.  The church was packed.  We got a good response.  The singers weren’t quite sure of their performance.  In this space they were told that they would not be able to hear each other, not even the person beside them because of the acoustics of the church.  You can hear it fine in the church but not as you are singing.  Also everything must be acapella and trying to sing a song acapella that you are used to singing with a piano is a challenge.  Our singers pulled it off!  Great job! The next two days the others choirs will sing during this time. After the concert ended the chaperone groups went to lunch at various places.  Mr. Crest’s group convinced her to take them to McDonald’s!  All these great food choices and they pick that!!  Mr. C, Mrs. Treadway, Mrs. Ator and Jennifer went to Wagamama.  It is Asian food and it was very good! After lunch we had a guided tour of the Cathedral.  Very informative.  So much history in architecture.  So many graves and tombs of important men.  One shrine honoring Thomas Beckett is more recent and a wall hanging sculpture was commissioned.  It is of metal with the tip of large spear straight up and down signifying the tip of the sword that was left in Thomas Beckett.  Then a cross piece of metal representing the top section of his head that was sliced off and four swords around it representing the four knights that all had a part in murdering him.  With the reflection from a window that shows behind the sculpture on the wall looks like the scene of the three crossed with Christ hanging on the middle one.  Very moving actually.  There is also a tunnel that the monks built after Thomas Beckett’s death so they could move about the Cathedral and not be disturbed by the many pilgrims who came from afar.  The stained glass windows are just unbelievable.  Some depict stories of the Old and New Testament, celebrating moments in the lives of Saints and some telling the stories of the miracles believed to have happen following Thomas Beckett’s death.  There is a lot of renovation going on, some being restoring some of the stained glass. Following the tour we had a bit of free time so of course shopping had to happen!  Some of the singers found a chocolate shop.  Kyle found a tiramisu block of chocolate which was huge and when we returned to the flats he served each of his roommates a piece on a glass plate!  After shopping we went to the dining hall of the Christ Church University.  Quite a modern place amongst the old buildings.  The meal choices were many and the singers seemed to enjoy! There was beautiful garden we met in after dinner and there was a pond with interesting fish in it.  Grace N.  Especially liked watching the fish.  Guess what?  Back to rehearsal.  This time they were taken to the quire section of the church to rehearse what they would be doing for the Evensong tomorrow night. The quire is normally where a choir would sit and they face each other.  Tough for the conductors to do this with 250 singers.  The sound was magnificent.  While they rehearsed, Mrs. Ator got to go above in the organ loft and check out the organ.  Such a treat for her. Rehearsal ended about 9:00pm and the singers were told that lights out for everyone would be 10:00pm.  Some weren’t too happy but I know five chaperones that are!    Uncategorized, 2011-07-28T16:10:27+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-5 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-5#When:16:08:19Z Tuesday, July 26 Sorry,  right off the bat that this is late!  Very busy day and by the time we were settled in Canterbury, we figured out that the place we are staying will not give us internet access.  I’m typing this Wednesday morning in Canterbury Cathedral listening to the sounds of 250 angels singing in a rehearsal!! Back to Tuesday!  We left Wadham College at 9:00am and had about a two and a half hour drive to Leed’s Castle.  Before we left Oxford Gavin was asked how many of the buildings were of medieval time.  Oddly enough most of them are.  During Hitler’s time, he figured out which cities were of most strategic importance and Oxford happened to be one of them.  Because of that, his orders were not to bomb Oxford.  Canterbury, where we are headed wasn’t as lucky.  Most of Canterbury was bombed during the war. We also asked Gavin about his training as a tour guide.  He had to apply to the Institute of Tour Guiding.  200 people took a pretest with questions like, where was Churchill buried and what time does Harrod’s open?  It gets narrowed down to 120, then 65.  Those 65 have an interview and are asked more questions and have to describe sights.  Then 35 get chosen to be part of a two week session where they are taken on walking tours and they are tested as a guide.  The teachers are supposed act like “bad tourists” to see if the guide catches safety issues as well.  If they pass this they spend two weeks learning more history, architecture, legal systems and have to write essays to pass the final stage. Out of the 35, 12 pass.   It is quite an honor to be chosen for this position. Gavin has a chain necklace with a badge on it that designates that he has this position.  He is now doing some tutoring for upcoming guides. We are so blessed to have him.  If anyone has plans to travel to England, we would highly recommend him!  As we passes an exit to Croydon he got on the microphone and pointed out that this was the most important city because that is where he lives! Before I forget, I put in an earlier blog that gas was 136 pounds a gallon.  I realized that it really means 1.36 pounds per gallon.  Sorry!!!  We were on the road M25 and as we “ring” around London on our way to Canterbury. Gavin says they call this round the inverted donut because with the cars driving on the wrong side of the road to us, the heaviest traffic is on the inside and the lighter is on the outside! Guess you had to be there!!  Speed limit here is 70mph but 64 for coaches. (keep forgetting to call the buses, coaches!) There are cameras all along the road that are taking pictures and can catch speeders.  They also have a system approaching London where each lane has digital signs every few miles that tells you the speed to go which may be different than what is posted.  The traffic is being monitored and if it is getting heavy near London farther out these signs will post a lower speed limit to try and slow the cars headed to London so that there are not traffic jams.  Seems to be a good system, since we didn’t end up in a jam.  They also have signs that read “Tiredness can kill.  Take a break”.  Good lesson for us all. Gavin pointed out also that there are foot paths and bicycle ways that span the country and you can easily travel from one part of the country to the other entirely on these paths.  Mr. C. wanted to get off the bus and go!!  We continue to see a lot of sheep and cows.  England is one of the world’s largest producers of lamb.  Lamburgers were on the menu at one restaurant in Oxford!  Wool, as you would imagine is another large industry for England. We arrived at Leed’s Castle.  This castle was given to William the Conqueror’s son, who became King William II.  This castle was built because it was an important passage between London and France. It has had many owners over the years and was also the home of six widowed queens.  The final owner was Princess Bailey who died in 1974 and left the castle to a foundation to continue its upkeep and has been turned into a tourist attraction! The castle itself is on an island and we had a twenty minute walk from the bus to the castle.  It was so beautiful with the landscaping being the highlight.  We saw the biggest rhubarb plants ever. It was seriously the size of Volkswagen bug! One even had a worn path through it that you could tell people had walked to the inside of the plant, which of course some of us had to do!  It would make a very large pie!  We also had white swans, black swans and peacocks greeting us along the path.  We even saw a white peacock. We reached the castle once we crossed over the moat.  The castle has rooms that have been decorated as they believe it might have looked in early times.  We found it to be an eclectic array of décor.  There was an I Spy sheet that That Mrs. Reddy’s group took with them as they walked through the castle and were to find different flowers in the décor.  I hear they did well. There was a maze on the grounds as well.  It was made of hedges taller than most of the singers.  I think every one of our singers did it.  As some successfully made it through they were up on a hill portion around the maze guiding those that were still in there how to get out.  Mrs. Crist’s and Mrs. Ceckowski’s groups had a young French boy giving them directions in French by yelling over the hedges to them...  There was a language barrier but they figured it out with hand motions, I believe!  After the maze was a grotto they walked through. It was underground with water and it was lit with colored light to see.  There were mermaid statues and beautiful mosaic pictures on the ceiling.  Caroline really liked the ceiling! There were beautiful gardens that had flowers that we have never seen before.  So many colors shapes and sizes.  Rachel and Rebecca especially loved the flowers and took many, many pictures and want to make a slide show of them.  We all made the twenty minute trek back to the bus.  We said good bye to the beautiful landscaping and the black swan nesting in the pond. We then had about another hour drive to Canterbury.  When we got here we came to our lodgings that are flats in a student village.  We have a motorize gate to go through to get to the buildings which the kids thought was cool!  We got settled in our rooms and it was pretty quiet until the next group got there.  Then came a group from Roanoke, Virginia and our kids quickly made lots of new friends.  Caroline met a girl named Caroline and our Carline says that is now her new best friend!  When it was time for us to head on our walking tour, we got the children’s attention as we normally do singing “lu, Lu, Lu”.  They kids responded back and then got quiet waiting for instruction and the Roanoke girls were amazed and thought it was cool! Gavin took us on a mini tour of Canterbury on our way to dinner.  As we walked we timed our journey to the gates where we will enter the cathedral each day and it was nearly a half hour!  If the kids thought they were already tired, they have another thing coming!  Canterbury has been a place of Christian worship for almost 1,500 years. In 597 A.D., Pope Gregory the great sent a monk, Augustine, to England as a missionary.  Augustine established his seat in Canterbury and became England’s first Archbishop.  In 1170, after a long dispute between King Henry II and Archbishop Thomas Becket, the King is said to have exclaimed “Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?”.  Four knights set off to Canterbury and murdered Thomas Beckett in the church. Soon after miracles began to take place, the Cathedral became one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage centers. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and still very much a working living church, where services are held every day.  The building has been added on to and rebuilt after a fire.  The length and magnitude of the church is hard to describe.  Our best guess is that from one end to the other would stretch from the bridge at IPFW near Coliseum Blvd. to the Rhinehart music Center where the choir rehearses. Dinner was at an Italian place called Zizzi’s.  Our places were set with a napkin that had the quote by Virginia Woolf, “One cannot think well, sleep well, live well, if one has not dined well”. Sounds like the advice we gave the kids about taking care of themselves on this trip! The tables had scripts from various Shakepeare plays under a clear coating.  We were given pitchers of water which turned out to be like lemon or lime water. We really couldn’t decide which.  There were also pitchers of juice which some said tasted like watered down Kool-Aid!  The singers had either pizza, spaghetti or penne pasta.  We all agreed it was very good.  Then the dessert came…tiramisu or gelato.  Yum, yum. We asked some of the girls what their favorite part of the day was.  Sangeeta loves the flats we are staying in.  Cassie saw a street named All Saints Lane that she thought was a great name.  Mallory liked the bus ride because she got a chance to talk more with her friends, Ali C. like the soft serve ice cream they had today.  Sarah C. enjoyed spending time and sharing the sights with friends.  Hayley and Vivienne took enough pictures through today that they think they have enough for their photography class project come the start of school.  Mr. C and Mrs. Treadway left dinner separately for a meeting with Mr. Leck, Dr. Flood and the other choir directors and tour managers.  It was a lovely reception getting to meet all of the directors, tour managers, and the English guides each group has.  One of the guides we met had been a personal body guard of Princess Diana.  Wow!  The singers returned to the flats, had a little social time and went to bed for much needed rest. I hope the info from this blog was worth the wait.   Uncategorized, 2011-07-28T16:08:19+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-4 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-4#When:02:31:16Z Monday, July 25 Had breakfast this morning with the White Rock Children’s Choir and then off to Warwick Castle.  We noticed today that the bus we are riding is a stick shift, not like the automatic transmission of the ones in the states.  They are very new and modern though!  Our bus driver Phil is a nice guy! The drive to Warwick Castle was about 45 minutes and we had wonderful views of the countryside, the wheat fields and the sheep and cows grazing.  We arrived at Warwick Castle which is a medieval Castle that sits on a hill on the River Avon.  The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068.  We were told that there would be actors around the grounds and we ran into our first ones while waiting at the gate to enter.  Several of the girls had their picture taken with them.  They call crack jokes with you.  There was a woman on the path where we first walked in and she was sitting on the ground and telling us all she wasn’t going to work today and that women shouldn’t have to work!  Mrs. Actor and Mrs.  Treadway agreed.  We found out later that when she talked to Mr. Eby he offered to go get her a pint of brew and she thought that was a great idea!  Walked through the first exhibit of preparing for battle and the mannequins they had were so real looking it scared some of the kids at first!  You walked through each of the rooms and there were displays on their lifestyle, living and working. In the first gift shop in the middle of the castle the kids were already finding fun things to buy!  We found out that the song “Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do” originated in Warwick.  She was a wealthy countess and many men wanted her hand in marriage.  She was very stubborn but the men kept trying.  Think of the lyrics to the song and it now makes sense. As we entered the great hall there were more character actors one of which was the queen.  Two of the chaperone groups of girls got to sing for the queen!  She was impressed.  The displays of armor, shields and weapons were quite impressive.  The castle has many towers and there were places to climb to them.  The stairs totaled over 500!  I think everyone made it, even the weary chaperones!!  As Mrs. Ator and Mrs. Treadway were climbing down the towers a little English boy was in front of them and he was pretending to shoot arrows out of the ramparts and said he was protecting us! The castle was definitely a hit.  Morgan wants to move here and work at the Castle.  She would be a good actor! Off to Stratford on the Avon.  Stratford is where William Shakespeare was born, lived most of his life, died and was buried here.  There is question that he was born here.  The family has a house in the country and when his mother was due to give birth, some believe they were at that house away from Stratford because a plague was occurring at the time.  Legend or true we don’t know.  We got to see his house and where he went to school.  Gavin kept calling him Will the Quill in reference to him being a writer and using a quill as his pen.   Some of the singers bought quills but they are modernized with an ink pen on the end of the feather! Gavin took us on another fast walking tour when we first got to the town.  Such history and so beautiful. Many of the buildings look like cottages.  Most are built with wood beams and some don’t look very straight or even!  The end of our tour took us to the Holy Trinity Church where we would sing later.  The kids again explored with chaperone groups and the first thing they wanted to do was go to a shop that sold butter beer like Harry Potter drinks!  Cassie couldn’t wait to find a bookstore to get books about Shakespeare.  Grace, Alexandra C. and Jacob were referencing Shakespeare writing Midsummer Night’s Dream that they had performed the musical version of the play with Heartland Chamber Chorale. They also are doing an archeological dig beside the site of Shakespeare’s home and finding quite a few interesting things.  You could view the dig from a fence around it.  As we walked around we saw an ambulance drive by and several commented on the size of it, it looked like a station wagon car!  After a day of shopping and food we headed to the church and changed into concert dress before rehearsing with White Rock Children’s Choir.  Once rehearsal was done the singers got to view William Shakespeare’s grave site which is in the Holy Trinity Church.  The baptismal font where he was baptized is there as well.  We had a very nice crowd for the concert and we are very proud of the kids!  The Minnicks and the Carrolls are here on vacation and it was great to see some familiar faces.  We have also had the five adults on our shadow tour with us through today, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Levine and Mrs. Hassenzahl.  It’s been fun to share some time with them but they will leave us tomorrow for the shadow tour. The ride back to the college was about an hour and I don’t believe anyone slept.  Hope they do tonight!  We came back and have to pack before we leave tomorrow after breakfast. Be assured we have had four very busy days and everyone is holding up quite well so far.  We leave for Canterbury tomorrow and start the festival which means lots of rehearsing! Will catch you us tomorrow!   Uncategorized, 2011-07-26T02:31:16+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-3 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-day-3#When:02:28:38Z Sunday, July 24 Started our day with a marvelous breakfast in the dining hall.  Have any of you ever had baked beans for breakfast?  How about fried mushrooms or roasted tomatoes?  Yes it sounds strange and yes we did have eggs, Canadian bacon, cereal, croissants, etc.  Such a spread.  No one should have gone hungry.  We definitely needed it for our walking tour of Oxford.  We found out very quickly that our tour guide Gavin loves to walk fast!!  I guess he’s just trying to get in as much as possible as quick as possible.  Oxford is a town of about 150,000 of whom approximately 20,000 are university students.  Oxford University has no campus, per se, but consists of a federation of 39 independent colleges.  The University provides libraries, laboratories, housing and services.  For this students pay one fee of about 3000 pounds.  Then the “college” you attend will have tuition of about 5000 pounds.  As you walk the town the colleges are extremely old buildings, each of which is different schools of study.  In the center of town it is scarcely possible to turn a corner or glance down a side street without coming upon a new perspective of Gothic towers, ancient cloisters and charming quadrangles.  For the harry Potter fans, there is a lot of this town that was used for reference or filming we understand. There is a beautiful round theatre called Sheldon Theatre which was designed and built by Christopher Wren while he was professor of Astronomy at Oxford.  This is used for many concerts and plays.  It is also used for University graduations. There are posters all over town advertising multiple concerts.  It is a very artsy town. The original King James Bible was written here and Gavin says that the majority of these Bibles are distributed from Oxford Press.  The Bible that Lincoln used was made here.  Many famous people attended Oxford including C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, Haley (whom Haley’s comet was named after) and Lewis Carroll.  We found out that Alice of “Alice in Wonderland” was actually his friend’s daughter and the girl’s father was always late!  Remember which character was always late!!  We saw the garden where he supposedly wrote the book.  The Oxford Dictionary was written here as well, which Tolkien helped with. St. Mary’s Church was the original church of John and Charles Wesley and facing the church is a huge round building called the Radcliffe Camera which houses a library with millions of books in tunnels under the ground!  It is used as a reading room today as well.  One of the churches is in the shape of a small “T”.  It was to be in the shape of a cross but they ran out of money.  Many churches after that were built the same way because people liked the design even though it was a mistake! The town has many streets that are brick or cobblestone.  The streets are very narrow and the sidewalks are even narrower.  Bike lanes are marked on the road near the curb and it is barely two feet wide.  It fun riding in the bus in the front seat and the bus tries to go around the bicyclist with a car coming in the other lane!!  On the main street the parking is actually a row of spaces in the middle of the road!  Bikes are everywhere. We ended our tour entering the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral.  There is a gate around the property and to enter the gate you must pass through one gate, close it and open the second gate.  It is very narrow between and only one person can fit through at a time.  Took us quite awhile to get 41 of us through!  The grass here is only meant to be looked at on the grounds.  We were told you would be fined 40 pounds if you stepped on the grass.  There were signs all over stating to keep off the grass. We attended mass there and the church is quite impressive.  As we were seated and ready for mass that was to begin at 11:15am, one of the ushers came around at 11:15 and told us that the service would start on Oxford time which meant five minutes late.  There was a boy choir from Georgia that was the guest choir singing throughout mass.  It was a lovely service. I must say that Briana and Rebecca probably learned the most from Gavin as they were always up front to listen to him whenever we stopped to hear him tell us facts.  Maybe they should be writing this blog! Then we split into chaperone groups for lunch and shopping!!  Gavin mentioned a milkshake shop called Moo Moo’s and many of the singers had that as a snack before lunch!  The singers had fun with their first shopping experience!  Later several of the singers went boating, or rather “punting on the Isis” as they call it here.  Sangeeta, Cassie, Grace N., Grace M., Mariah, Alexandra C., Jacob S., Jacob A., Kyle and Clark.  They had a wonderful time on the river (Which is actually the Thames!) We came back to Wadham College to rehearse in their chapel.  What a great experience for the singers.  It was a small chapel and the acoustics were amazing.  It was a tough rehearsal because the piano was in the front hall of the church and the singers were in the sanctuary and you couldn’t fit the piano into the sanctuary.  She played in the hall while the kids sang in the sanctuary!  Was interesting!  The singers were also in benches that faced each other.  Very beautiful. Following rehearsal was dinner.  The chaperones found a pizza place that could fit everyone so it was a fun dinner.  When we returned one of the other choirs from the festival arrived to at Wadham as well, the White Rock Children’s Choir.  They are the ones we will be sharing a concert with tomorrow.  They all seemed very nice.  They live in Vancouver Canada, but traveled to Paris first before coming here.  We thought we had it rough!!    Off to bed to get ready for Stratford on the Avon tomorrow!   Uncategorized, 2011-07-26T02:28:38+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-days-1-2 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/england-update-days-1-2#When:18:39:56Z Friday, July 22 and Saturday 23. We have made it!!  I will recap Friday and Saturday! Friday’s trip to the airport was uneventful and the kids did a great job getting off the bus quickly and getting through ticketing and security without any hitches.  It took us about an hour, so we had a little time once we got to the gate to relax.  Of course there was a Starbucks nearby and of course singers wanted their coffee fix! The airplane ride was surprisingly fast for a slightly under six hour flight.  We got a meal shortly after we took off.  Choices were chicken and rice or a cheese tortellini.  Not too bad for airplane food!  Then everyone got settled as best they could!  We were seated alphabetically throughout the middle section of the plane.  There were nine seats across the 777 with two aisles. Everyone got settled with their pillow, blanket and headphones provided.  There was a new thing that I hadn’t  seen on a flight recently - a remote control device (like a TV controller) in the armrest of the seat.  It controlled the tv in front of you.  There was of course TV, video, radio and even games!!  There was Battleship, Tetris, Casino and many more.  The kids really enjoyed that.  I even spied Olivia studying her music. They didn’t turn the lights out but we all tried to sleep.  We all tried but I don’t believe much sleep occurred!  We got a good breakfast and landed shortly after.  As we were waiting to get off the plane, Mariah commented from hearing all of the British speaking stewards and stewardesses that she wanted to speak British!! Again, the kids were wonderful in the airport and we found luggage quickly. Our tour guide for the trip, Gavin met us once we cleared customs.  We had talked to the kids on the bus about what customs would be like and how they shouldn’t joke but be very polite and answer questions.  We got through it fine and off we went. Once we left the airport, we went directly to Windsor Castle.  Driving on the bus Gavin gave us tidbits of history of the area we were seeing.  As we approached Windsor Castle you can see it on a hill.  It was built there obviously as a fort in a strategic location.  Windsor Castle was built over 900 years ago and the ground covers the area of 268 tennis courts.  Windsor is about 20 miles south of London.  Nine castles were built around London about 20 miles apart from each other.  As we approached the castle we noticed that the English flag was flying which meant the queen was not in residence.  Oh well! We walked through the shops area before we arrived at the Castle.  We split into chaperones groups for lunch.  Some different restaurants, but all found food they liked.  Alexandra C. had told us about a restaurant called Wagamama and we found one of those.  We had all laughed at the name.  We then headed to the Castle.  Once we were in they gave each of us an audio tour radio so we could learn the history at our own pace and walk the areas separately by groups.  Words can’t describe how beautiful the place is.  The grounds are magnificent and the buildings are amazing.  We were taking pictures from every view and you still can’t take it all in.  There was an exhibit of Queen Mary’s doll house.  It is in a dark room behind glass and you went all around it to view it.  The house is all lit up and is just amazing how intricate the furnishings were and how detailed everything was.  Every girl dreamed of a dollhouse like this.  Once you left the doll house there was a display of dolls and their clothing.  These dolls wardrobes consisted of lots of shoes and fancy gloves, day clothes and evening gowns.  I commented that I wanted their clothes in my size!  While we were in line for the doll house the guards in their red regal attire were marching around.  We didn’t see a formal changing of the guard but we did see one in his little “hut” that is not bigger than a phone booth. Some of us when into St. George’s Chapel.  The first of many historic chapels we will see.  Again, I can’t begin to describe the beauty.  Mrs. Ator was checking out the organ but unfortunately the guide couldn’t tell her any specifics about it.  Cassie at one point had asked several deep questions of one of the guides and the guides was so impressed that she actually took her behind the ropes and took her over to Queen Victoria’s throne and she got to touch it.  Don’t think Cassie is washing her hand for a few days! I could go on and on about the castle.  Please get on a website and view it and learn more! From the Castle we had about an hour trip to Wadham College in Oxford, out home for a couple days.  Once we got checked into our rooms we explored the area.  You go through a huge door to even get in the complex and there are many old buildings throughout “quads” of gardens.  They had to give us each a map to find our building we each were staying in.  Once we got some key problems figured out they were ready for dinner. Our dinner was in a huge dining hall that was the model for the dining hall in the Harry Potter movies.  Big hit!  Mrs. Treadway wanted to be an owl to fly over the tables and bring them mail from home! The meal was a wonderful chicken served on a plate, then potatoes were brought in silver dishes to serve family style.  The salad was also on the tables in big plates to help ourselves.  Dessert was a fruit compote which the adults were proud that the kids tried it an actually enjoyed it.  After dinner we had a short meeting.  Some of the kids were frustrated when we took them to a spot to meet…they had found the same spot early in exploring and had deemed it their “Secret spot”!!  We then gave them a little free time and then off to an early bedtime!  Not too many argued about that!! The rooms are not air conditioned but the weather so far is chilly which helped!!!  Once we got to bed I much admit I wore my fleece jacked to bed with me!!!!! Tomorrow is our first full day in Oxford and it will be spent exploring all day and evening. Uncategorized, 2011-07-24T18:39:56+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/off-they-go http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/off-they-go#When:17:25:13Z The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is proud to announce their upcoming tour to participate in the prestigious Canterbury Children’s Choir Festival in Canterbury, England. The Concert Choir, the most advanced treble-voiced choir of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, has been invited to participate in this festival starting July 23 and will return to Indiana on August 2, 2011. The members of the choir, staff, and chaperones are leaving Fort Wayne on Friday, July 22 at 3pm from the west-side of IPFW's campus. The members of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir will rehearse with world-renown clinicians Henry Leck and David Flood throughout the festival. The Concert Choir will give a joint performance with the White Rock Children’s Choir at the historic Holy Trinity Church on Monday, July 25; give their own concert on Wednesday, July 27 at The Canterbury Cathedral; and will join with the other seven children’s choirs in attendance at the festival on Monday, August 1 to perform in the Festival Choir at a performance at the Southwark Cathedral. The members of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir will work with clinicians throughout the tour, as well as see the many sights of Canterbury and London, including visiting Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare’s birthplace, Wesley Chapel, Leeds Castle, and Warwick Castle. Thanks to our friends at Indiana's News Center for promoting this honor for the Fort Wayne Children's Choir: http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/FW-Childrens-Choir-Performs-In-England-126005583.html Uncategorized, 2011-07-22T17:25:13+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-last-day http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-last-day#When:14:32:03Z Last full day of tour! We started out early to get on the road to Fallingwater. Before we got on the bus someone noticed a turtle on the ground in front of the bus. It was a very beautiful turtle and Ana was afraid it wasn’t going to be able to get over the curb to get to the creek behind the hotel. She picked him up and helped him get on his merry way! On the bus ride it has been so interesting hearing the kids interesting conversations. Nathan was teaching Cecelia how to tie a tie. The kids were singing songs and trying new harmony for some songs they knew. Mrs. Treadway came through with the candy bag a couple times. They really look forward to that each day! Once we got to Fallingwater they split us up into two groups to tour the house. For those of you that may not know, Fallingwater was built for the Kaufman family by Frank Lloyd Wright. Such a unique house for it’s time. The house is actually built into a waterfall and the rock it is built on is parts of the house including the fireplace. There is a hatch with a stairway that you can walk down to the waterfall from the main level of the house. You should check out the website to see just how amazing it is. We were impressed with some of the questions the kids asked about the construction and the family. You cannot take pictures inside the house but they found plenty of outdoor spots to do so. Off to Pittsburgh. We had bought groceries last night to have another picnic today. By the time we left Fallingwater, it was going to be awhile until we found a rest area so we found an empty parking lot and made a food line on top of coolers and a suitcase! The kids thought it was fun to eat a meal on the bus! The road to and from Fallingwater was a winding road in the hills. The singers definitely are not used to these roads and a couple weren’t feeling well! After lunch and some food it helped! When we reached Pittsburgh we went to Duquesne University to meet Christine Jordanoff for our vocal clinic. She conducts three choirs and teaches conducting, advanced choral methods, freshman voice and a children’s choir lab. She has a children’s choir that is in residence at Duquesne that she has been director of for 25 years. She had Mr. C lead warm-ups and they sang “Hymn For America” for her. She then took the singers through several vocal exercises to help them open up their soft palette. She described the mouth as a room and asked the kids where in their mouth the walls, ceiling, floor and windows were. The lips are the windows, the tongue is the floor, and the checks are the walls and the soft palette. She then had them sing in different ways to help them understand how to use their soft palette to open up their voice and have a stronger sound without singing loud. They sang the song again at the end and you could see in their faces they figured out the difference. Such great learning. She closed by telling them that they were a class act. She had worked with two other high school choirs recently and she knew from our kids that they knew what they were doing and cared about what they were doing. She could tell that they love to make music and that their art gives them a sense of self worth. Such a great compliment to these young adults. We had a Kodak moment with her and then headed out. We went to Golden Corral for dinner and it provided a great variety of food for the singers to choose from. Then off to the hotel. We had some extra time so another pool party was in order! Zoe and Caitlyn weren’t swimming and they taught Mr. C a new card game. He claimed he didn’t understand it but somehow was winning. Kasey was busy writing her journal for her IB Diploma classes. She has had to journal about her concert experiences all week. She has been so dedicated to her assignment. We ended the evening with our last night pow wow. In the beginning of the tour each of the singers and adults draw names and keep that name a secret. They watch that person all week. And at our pow wow they shared positive things about that person that they observed this week. This is always one of the favorite parts of the week. Then we give the singers an opportunity to share about their experience in choir this year and what choir has meant to them as a whole. We keep what they say in confidence, but I can assure you they all love each other, look at this choir as a family and feel safe to share their feelings in this environment. It makes us adults feel proud, especially the staff, to know we have this powerful effect on these young adults lives. They have made friends for life. We wished our graduates a fond farewell and after a few tears headed back to our rooms for bed. Once again I have to compliment these singers for making this tour and enjoyable one and an easy one for everyone. We have had an amazing journey, endured challenges and persevered. Our theme this year for FWCC was “More Than a Song” and during this tour we have proven just that. Hope you have enjoyed our journey as much as we have. We have a short day tomorrow traveling home and are looking forward to seeing family again. Uncategorized, 2011-06-23T14:32:03+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-6 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-6#When:04:32:11Z YEAH!!!!! We got to sleep in!!!! We decided to head out at 10:00am this morning giving us all some much needed rest!. Today we went to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. First, we spent a little time checking out the main sanctuary. This church is the largest Catholic Church in the United States. The main sanctuary has many chapels surrounding the perimeter of the church and each one more ornate that the previous one. All of the pictures, for lack of a better word, are made of mosaic tile so they may look like painting but they are amazing works of art that just shine in the light. They are in each chapel and in the ceiling and domes everywhere you look. We then attended a mass in the crypt sanctuary in the basement. During the beginning of the service one of the hymns was to the tune of “Homeland” that the singers have sung before. How fitting. Julia and Elizabeth were chosen to present the gifts to the priest. What an honor and they delivered so graciously. The priest also remarked on our presence in his homily. Following the mass Mr. C and Mrs. Ator went to talk to the organist to see if we could sing a piece there. We were already scheduled to sing in the large sanctuary later but it was worth a try. He granted our request and they sang in one of the alcoves. They sang “When Jesus Wept” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”. Very beautiful. We ate lunch in the cafeteria and the singers explored the gift shop and bookstore. Then we had a tour of the church. The church was built to honor the Mother Mary and is completely supported by people from around the world. There is a section in the basement with walls and pillar engravings of the names of people who have given to support the building and continued works of the church. There are 80 chapels in the church, some that are built and paid for by Catholics from many countries and the world. A request must be made to build a chapel and design approved before it is built. This church is not a regular parish rather built to honor the Mother Mary. There are no weddings funerals or baptisms held here. Bishop Shahan was an instrumental man who had a vision for the church and he died before he saw it complete. He is buried in the church. Pope Pius X gave permission to build the church. As we toured the church we found a bust of Bishop Noll from Fort Wayne. When we told the tour guide she said he was a huge supporter of the church. There is also an alter in the crypt sanctuary that a woman from Fort Wayne was also instrumental in having built. The tour guide couldn’t remember her name. There is a wonderful bell tower that houses 56 bells and it rings daily every 15 minutes. The church is actually built in the shape of a cross. There is actually one dome that is not complete with a mosiac. The theme has been set but no design has been approved. Following the tour, a couple that had been on the tour with us commented to Mrs. Smith that they were very impressed with our kids and how they behaved!! We are always so proud. After the tour,c it had been arranged for the singers to sing in the large sanctuary. All accapella music. We had family members in the audience. The Bressler family was there and Zoe’s aunt and uncle came in from Maryland. The performance was amazing. The kids were blown away with the reverb of their voices. Such a great place to have the last performance of the tour. Off we go again on the bus! We decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at the Museum of American History. Such great things to see…Fonzie’s jacket, Dorothy’s red ruby slippers, Archie Bunker’s chair (even thought the kids don’t know who he is!!), the First Ladies dresses and Julia Child’s kitchen. We didn’t know that there is a fallout shelter here from Fort Wayne. We couldn’t remember what part of town the display said it came from but we were impressed that a part of our town was there. I think the most popular sight was the American flag. So big and impressive. So proud to be Americans. Back on the bus for a couple last minute stops at the White House for a group picture and then off to Pentagon City Mall to eat at their food court. In and out pretty quick since we wouldn’t let them shop!! We made our last stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial. The singers were convinced that there is an extra hand in the display and spent quite a bit of time figuring out if there was one. The adults weren’t sure if it was true or not but it was great to watch them try to figure it out. If there is in fact one we believe it is the hand of God. Back to the hotel in time for a pool party!! The swimming time was shorter that the last time. The pool was outside and it has been a little chillier today!!! Oh well, more time in their rooms to get packed to leave here tomorrow. Off to Pennsylvania on Tuesday and another busy day. How much can we really cram into this week? Stay tuned! Uncategorized, 2011-06-21T04:32:11+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-5 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-5#When:03:28:21Z This morning we were to sing during church service at Christ Church in Alexandria, VA. The church was built in 1773 and began as an Anglican Church of England. The singers sang from a balcony during the service and in the small sanctuary it really gave a great sound. During the service there was medical emergency for one of the parishioners and the church service carried on. The singers could see everything going on from where they were sitting and we were so proud of how they handled themselves. Some of the singers got a little emotional and the pastor came to talk to them afterwards and assured them that the EMT’s said everything was going to be fine with the man. Following the service a woman spoke to us about the history of the church. They have over 2400 members with four services each Sunday. They have a tradition of every serving President coming to their church at least once, beginning with George Washington, who has a bronze plate on “His Pew”. The pew is sort of a U shaped. David, Caitlyn, Cecelia, Jasmine, Julia, Kirsi, Taylor, Nikki and Zoe all fit in the pew! They were worried that President Bush was close to the end of his second term and he still hadn’t been there. Finally on December 20, 2008 he showed! President Obama has yet to be there. The church has two long frames on either side of the alter, one with the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed and one with the Ten Commandments. The were originally painted on white woo and over the years the wood has faded to a beautiful gold. There are beautiful cracks in the wood, too but the painting of the words stays in tact. We changed clothes and boarded the bus and headed for Union Station for lunch. Such a beautiful building. Lots of food choices and the singers seemed to have fun! We then went to the National Archives. We decided in the interest of time that we would only see the documents in the Rotunda. There are four original archives there…Women of the Revolution Document, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. On the wall were some murals depicting forefathers during the signing of documents. One display noted that in one of the murals is a cloud that looks like the profile of Abraham Lincoln. Julia and Elizabeth found it and showed those around them. We then decided to split up into five groups and give the kids options of places to go. Mrs. Beights took Ana, Carissa, Nikki and Ryan to the Holocaust Museum. She was so impressed with the knowledge that the singers had of the Holocaust and how they had great discussions and offering of opinions about what they saw. They all purchased a bracelet stating” Erase the Hate” which summed up their feelings as they left. Mrs. Ator took Cecelia, Kirsi, David, Taylor and Zoe to the Arts Museum. They enjoyed the Modern Arts portion of the museum. There is a tunnel that takes you from one of the art museums to the other and it was an artistic tunnel with great lighting effects that David especially liked. There was a pyramid Garden that was intriguing and Mrs. Ator was impressed how Kirsi and Cecelia really expressed interest in the details of the paintings. Sounds like gelato and coffee drinks rounded out their visit. Mrs. Smith took Caitlyn, Elizabeth and Kasey to the Museum of Natural History. Most of the time was spent in the jewels and mineral exhibits. Obviously, no visit to this museum is complete until you see the Hope Diamond! Mr. C took Eric, Gavin, Julia and Adrienne to the Air and Space Museum. Mrs. C got a kick out of seeing the singer’s faces that had never been there before look in amazement when they walked in the door and saw all of the airplanes. Julia and Gavin tested out the flight simulator and seemed to have a great time doing that. There was a display of an aluminum type balloon pod that flew around the world in 19 days. Fascinating how far travel has become. Mrs. Treadway took Hayley, Brittney, Meghan, Jasmine and Nathan to the Newseum. Not too many people knew what this was including Mrs. Treadway. It is a museum of all of the types of journalism and the history of each….radio, TV and print. There were displays on 911, Katrina, and Holocaust and how the media shared the events. There was the melted satellite tower from the World Trade Center on display and a few sections of the Berlin Wall. They saw a 4D movie and also viewed many Photographs that were Pulitzer Prize winners, press award winners and photos from the official President Photographers. Hayley and Jasmine were able to see what it was like to be a broadcaster and filmed a news segment. Hayley wants to be a journalist so this was her best day ever!! Brittney is really interested in photography so this museum was so moving for her. We all met up at the Capitol and took a couple more group shots then headed to Hard Rock for dinner. Such a fun restaurant. Singers enjoyed the food, the sights to see inside and of course the music! Walking back to the bus we saw Ford’s Theatre. Following dinner we drove past the White House and on to the Jefferson Memorial. The are doing construction along the seawall behind there so you couldn’t walk all the way around. It was fun again to see the faces of the singers who hadn’t seen this exhibit. From here we went to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. This site is so beautiful at night with the black granite walls and water falls. As the singers finished walking through a huge surprise was revealed. We have three seniors on our trip with us. Jasmine graduated from Leo, Elizabeth was to graduate from Northrop and Julia was to graduate from Snider. Was to graduate being, they came on this tour and missed their graduation ceremonies in Fort Wayne. The staff decided we would surprise them with a graduation ceremony. As the singers returned to the beginning section of the exhibit, Mrs. Treadway was waiting for them with their caps and gowns (secretly given to her by moms!). Mrs. Beights had “Pomp and Circumstance” playing on her IPod through speakers and the graduates marched to the rest of the singers. “The Principal”, Mrs. Treadway began the ceremony with a short talk about what Pomp and Circumstances really means and how this is there challenge to continue to “pomp” and be filled with grandeur and embrace “circumstance” in their future. The “Superintendent”, Mrs. Beights spoke to the singers about their love of music and how they can be advocates for the arts as adults. “The Teachers”, Mrs. Smith and Mr. C read letters from one of Julia’s teachers and her Principal; a letter from one of Elizabeth teachers at church and a letter to Jasmine from her family. Mr. C also commented as their Children’s Choir teacher. It was time for the Class Song. We were going to have the singers sing “In My Life” to the three girls and the park ranger told us that singing was prohibited in the park. We said we would sing to them on the bus. We then went on to the Valedictorian Speech by Mrs. Ator. (Mrs. Ator was Salutatorian of her graduating class). She was just getting started when Mr. C told us that the park ranger insisted that we stop what we were doing because we didn’t have a permit to hold a celebration. Mrs. Treadway presented each graduate with their diploma and they moved their tassels. We quietly left and when we got on the bus we carried out the rest of the ceremony while we were still parked. We sang the Class Song first then Mrs. Ator gave her speech which consisted of several chosen quotes which were very thought provoking and encouraging to the graduates. In closing we sang “Raise you up on Eagles Wings”. “Pomp and Circumstance” was played once again as they processed down the bus aisle to their seats. What a great celebration that I’m sure these three girls will never forget! Wow, another full day. Off to the hotel for bed. We’ve decided to sleep in tomorrow before our visit to the National Shrine. Uncategorized, 2011-06-21T03:28:21+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-4 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-4#When:03:25:49Z (I apologize for this blog being written a day late. We’ve been very busy!) Saturday began as monument day. We were dropped off at the Washington Monument and started from there. The singers that hadn’t been to Washington D.C. were vey quickly in awe of the beauty of the monuments they could see while driving in. Obviously major picture taking started! From the Washington we headed to the World War II Monument. On the way there the reflecting pool had no water. It is undergoing a major renovation so it is all dirt and construction materials. Since our tour shirts we were wearing show the reflection of the Washington Monument in the pool we felt we had it covered! At the World War II Memorial, Mrs. Treadway challenged some of the singers to find Kilroy somewhere and to find the areas representing Guam and New Guinea where her Grandfather served. David and Taylor found Kilroy and I believe Nathan found New Guinea and Guam. There were many WWII veterans there as part of an Honor Flight. We encouraged the singers to started discussions with them and thank them for their service. Once they saw how easy it was to approach them, they were more comfortable doing it. Once you acknowledged a veteran and asked where they served the stories came out very quickly. The men and women were eager to share and some of our singers had their pictures taken with some. Very moving for most everyone. On to the Lincoln Memorial. Mrs. Treadway again challenged the kids to find a mistake in one of the speeches engraved in the wall. Caitlyn was the first to find it. There is the word “future” where the “f” was mistakenly etched in stone as an “e” then corrected. Some of the girls were testing Mrs. Treadway on how much of the Gettysburg Address she could recite without looking at the speech on the wall. Brittany, having not been to D.C. was very impressed with the size of the Lincoln statue. Something we found that most didn’t know was there is on the top step of the second landing of steps is words engraved in the stone commemorating where Martin Luther King stood to make his “I Have A Dream” speech. The Martin Luther King Memorial is under construction and we hope to see a little of that another day. Julia counted the steps we climbed at the Lincoln Memorial…58! At the bottom of the steps we took a group picture, first facing front and then one with backs turned so you could see our tour shirt design. We emailed to Charlie, an alumni, who designed it for us. On to the Korean War Memorial. As we walked through the memorials, Mrs. Treadway had a sightseeing guide that Mrs. Fritz lent to her. She read the short description of each monument and its meaning before the singers explored. It seemed to help them understand some of the reasoning behind the designs especially with the Korean War Memorial depicting the 38th parallel. From there we went to the Vietnam Memorial and walk alongside the wall. Zoe had a wonderful perspective. She said that in school they read about the number of people who died in this war and it just seems like a number…then you come here and see all of the names and realize what that number really is and it is overwhelming. Off to lunch at the Old Post Office building which was a pretty good hike! All told we think we walked four miles today. At the post office we went up into the clock tower to get a great 360 view of the city. They could see the Basilica they would be singing at far in the distance. Lunch and a little souvenir shopping followed. We tried to get into the National Archives next but the security line was very long and we had to watch our time because of the show later, so we skipped that for now. We found a sculpture garden that had very interesting works of art and a large pond with fountain. Mrs. Ator and Mrs. Treadway explored the art including a large silver metal plated tree, an oversized typewriter eraser (remember those?), a play on Rodin’s “thinker” in cricket form and a four sided pyramid. We came back to the pond to find everyone sitting around the pond with their feet in the water. Seemed to be what all the tourists were doing so we joined in. It was a very warm day and we had done so much walking that it felt VERY GOOD! Back to the bus to go to the hotel to get ready for “Wicked” I must say these young people know how to dress up. They all looked so fine! Ryan was the expert on tie tying sported his full Windsor! Once we got the Kennedy Center, we walked through the Hall of States and then went to the outdoor deck on the top level and viewed the city! Again, such a beautiful sight. Then the show! It goes without saying how good the show was. There was however a couple singers, Nikki and Nathan, that don’t think they will ever look at “The Wizard of Oz” the same again! Following the show we got back pretty late. Such a long day but well worth it!   Uncategorized, 2011-06-21T03:25:49+00:00 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-3 http://fwcchoir.org/news/post/yc-tour-day-3#When:11:38:33Z The day started with another great breakfast…took a little longer because there was a school group. Not many places to sit so several of the singers sat on this great big fireplace in the lounge. They seemed to adapt well! Hayley, Carissa and Nikki befriended the desk clerk Anthony. He is from Puerto Rico and he and Carissa were carrying on a conversation in Spanish! He was sorry he didn’t get to hear us sing and promised to check out our website and Facebook page! Off we go to Williamsburg. As the bus arrived Mr. C had the singers look outside the bus windows at the “colonial” baseball field, the “colonial” stoplights and the “colonial” mini golf course along the way. We started out at the Welcome Center and watched a movie that gave everyone a more clear history of Williamsburg. The singers found it so fascinating that they were showing buildings they had seen yesterday and the church that they sang in last night. After the Welcome Center we went to the Colonial area. A woman gave us an overview of the area and let us know that we would know which buildings were open by the English flag flying in front of it. We walked to the Governor’s mansion and learned more about the area and the buildings surrounding the Palace Green. When our guide figured out we were a choir she asked the kids to sing so they sang the National Anthem. Other tourists were impressed as was our guide. Then we toured the mansion and saw the ballroom, pantries, bedrooms, etc. Before entering the last room the guide commented that the walls would be the color of Eric’s shirt which is the neon green Choralfest shirt from a couple years back. When she opened the doors….she was so right. Meghan’s shirt matched as well! After the mansion we split into chaperone groups and went our separate ways. Some had lunch first at one of the many restaurants and others explored more before eating. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food. This was one of the first meals with their own money and helping them figure out how to tip was fun for the adults! Some of the other colonial areas visited were the blacksmith, carpenter/wheel maker, shoemaker, millinery, and a hat shop that thrilled Mrs. Beights’ girls, Julia, Elizabeth, Kasey and Adrienne. Some of the chaperones were treating their groups to a surprise. Mrs. Beights treated hers to ice cream, Mrs. Ator to ginger cookies and Mrs. Treadway’s girls got some amazing fudge from the candy store. Mr. C’s group made a quick walk to William and Mary College. Eric was especially interested in this. Watch out mom and dad. Is this on the college choice list?? The afternoon was so filled with history and we were very pleased that the singers were so interested in the history and seeing the buildings and learning from all of the people playing the parts of the people of Wiliamsburg in Colonial days. So exiting that kids still love history! Mrs. Treadway’s group, I think, was the only group to find the Gaol House which in fact is the jail. We learned that Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirates spent some time in this jail! One legend has it that one of the pirates returned to England after he served his time and told stories of his time and a young author penned those stories, being Robert Louis Stevenson writing Treasure Island! The tour was fun but the guide put all twenty plus of us in the jail and continued her talk for about ten more minutes. Definitely wasn’t a fun place to be in 90 degree temps! We were so glad to get out of jail. Mrs. Treadway did have her gals, Ana, Nikki, Carissa and Brittney pose for a picture behind the bars!! I hear there was more singing in the streets and Mr. C continued to point out the “Colonial” food, the “Colonial” horses, the “Colonial” shops and more “Colonial” things than you can think of. We worked our way to our “Colonial” bus to head to our next destination. What a wonderful day revisiting history! We left Williamsburg and headed towards D.C. and stopped for dinner along the way. We watched the Spring Concert DVD and remembered that fun concert day! It rained fairly hard and when it stopped you could still see this wall of a storm in the distance with a beautiful sunset behind the wall of rain. Caitlyn got an amazing picture of the sight. If she remembers to email it to us when she gets home we will post it. We then went to the 911 memorial at the Pentagon. It has such a dramatic effect at dusk. We explained to the singers that each person who died either on the plane or in the Pentagon has a bench with their name on it. The ones who died on the plane have a bench that faces the Pentagon representing the path of the plane towards the building Those who died in the Pentagon have their benches facing away from the building. Each row of benchs are in a line grouped by year of birth with the youngest person being 3 years old to the oldest at age 71. There is also a wall that envelopes half of the area with starts at three inches high and continues through to 71 inches, to represent the ages. At the end of each bench is the name of the person it represents. If there was a family member who also died with them, their names are engraved in a plate in the water under the bench. 184 trees also have been planted, one for each person. As the sun set it became more meaningful somehow. As we gathered before we left, some members asked if they could sing the National Anthem. Mr. C thought it to be a better idea to sing Lord Bless You and Keep You nstead. We gathered the singers and sang the song with Cecelia doing her solo. When the song was over we headed towards the bus isn unexpected silence. How moving. So touching a tribute from children who were the average age of 7 on September 11, 2001. The singers don’t know this yet but we are going to try to make it to the Pennsylvania 911 site on the way home. Once again a successful day. Tomorrow we are off to explore monuments, have dinner at Hard Rock and see Wicked. Good night   Uncategorized, 2011-06-18T11:38:33+00:00