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 DEVELOPMENT30%

PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT20%

MUSIC APPRECIATION30%

TEAM-BUILDING & LEADERSHIP10%

HISTORY AND CULTURE10%

HAVING FUN FROM WORKING HARD100%

Our Choirs

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.

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.

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.

Boychoir

The Boychoir was created to give boys in the FWCC an extra opportunity to sing together. They rehearse once a month.

Chamber Singers

A recent addition to the FWCC choir program, 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.

Our People

Jonathan Busarow

Executive Artistic Director, Treble Choir, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers Director

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Amber Bouthot

Managing Director

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Pam Pierson

Associate Artistic Director

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Nancy Swanson

Administrative Assistant & Financial Manager

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Susie Peirce

Communication & Grants Manager

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Irene S. Ator

Artistic Assistant & Principal Accompanist

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