ABOUT US
Singers are brought together from numerous backgrounds to achieve a common goal—artistic and educational excellence.
In the Beginning
In 1973, Jocelyn Basse created the Children of Peace Choristers to meet the need for an extra-curricular choral opportunity for area youth. Incorporated in 1984 as the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir (FWCC), the choir has expanded to nearly 300 singers from 85 schools. FWCC members not only gain exceptional music skills, but learn about history, culture, foreign language, poetry, team-building and leadership.
Our Mission
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.
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.
HERE IS HOW OUR TIME IS SPENT
- MUSIC DEVELOPMENT 30%
- PERFORMANCE DEVELOPEMT 20%
- MUSIC APPRECIATION 30%
- TEAM-BUILDING & LEADERSHIP 10%
- HISTORY & CULTURE 10%
- HAVING FUN FROM WORKING HARD 100%
OUR PROGRAM
The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir offers a program that emphasizes developing music literacy and appreciation through choral literature. The choir is organized into a tiered-program, with a specific music curriculum for each level. Auditioned singers are placed in an ensemble based on their musical skill, growth, and development. Each ensemble includes a strong focus on team-building, self-discipline, and positive creative expression.
APPRENTICE CHOIR
In this beginning level choir, singers are introduced to basic vocal technique, music reading skills, score reading and the concepts of music (melody, rhythm, form, dynamics, harmony). They rehearse weekly throughout the school year for 75 minutes.
Chorister Choir
In this beginning level choir, singers will build music literacy skills, grow vocally, and start to understand music theory concepts. By the end of the year, singers will be able to sing in multiple parts and sight-read simple melodies. Rehearsals are 90 minutes long.
Lyric Choir
Expanded vocal training, two-part singing and sight-reading skills are included in the weekly, 90-minute rehearsals of this choir. Basic music theory is introduced at this level.
Whitley Community Choir
This regional choir provides a choral experience for students in the Whitley County region, and is included in regular season programming.
Treble Choir
In this level, two-part skills are continued and three-part singing is introduced. Vocal technique and pentatonic sight-reading are emphasized. Music theory and appreciation skills continue to develop. They rehearse weekly throughout the school year for 90 minutes.
Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is the premier choir of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. Advanced theory, music history and appreciation is emphasized. This choir performs in public frequently and also tours. They rehearse throughout the school year for 90 minutes, twice a week.
Youth Chorale
Members of this choir are typically high school students. Advanced skills in technique, sight-reading, and music theory are stressed. They rehearse weekly throughout the school year for 90 minutes.
Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers is made up of select members of the Youth Chorale. This highly motivated ensemble performs for small venues and private functions throughout the community. They rehearse weekly throughout the school year for 60 minutes.
FWCC Stats
Singers
Schools Represented
Instructional Staff
Choirs
OUR TEAM
Jonathan Busarow
Executive Artistic Director, Director of Concert Choir & Chamber Singers
Lindsay Platt
Director of Development
Nancy Swanson
Administrative Assistant & Financial Manager
Susie Peirce
Communication & Grants Manager
Irene S. Ator
Artistic Assistant & Principal Accompanist
Denise Gilliland
Director of Whitley Community Children’s Choir, Education Outreach
CONTACT US
Address
Purdue University Fort Wayne, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805
fwcchoir@fwcchoir.org
Our Phone
(260) 481-0481
Open Hours
Monday-Thursday, 9AM-5PM