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Children's Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh                                                                                   May 2011

 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

What do you get when you blend the iconic music of Fred Rogers, artful jazz riffs, traditional folk dancing, the playful banter of Speedy Delivery Mr. McFeely, and 150 beautiful children's voices? You get CFC's spring concert - "Swing Into Spring With Mister Rogers"  ... and more than 700 enthralled audience members.

 

Held on April 30th at Canon-McMillan High School, concert goers actually enjoyed two unique shows masterfully emceed by Jim Cunningham of Classical QED 89.3. The program began with what some would consider CFC's bread 'n butter offerings - melodic renditions of classical and traditional selections including For the

CFC Dancers
Dancers stride to an early American reel.

Beauty of the Earth performed by the Bel Canto and Talisman choirs and a trilogy of Dominican folk songs sung by the Troubadours. The first half of the show ended with Appalachian Suites I & II ... a rousing medley of early-American standards punctunated with traditional dances choregraphed by CFC Board member, David Vinski.

 

Demonstrating the children's mastery of diverse musical forms, the second half of the show presented a repertoire of Fred Rogers' memorable songs ... specially commissioned by CFC for youthful choral performance with a distinctive jazz flair. Accompanying the children were guitar legand "Handyman" Joe Negri, jazz vocalist,

Jonah Akers
Talisman Jonah Akers gets a "Speedy Delivery" from Mr. McFeely (David Newell) following the concert.

Kim Nazarian and a trio of musicians. The audience was treated to Mister Rogers favorites including Peace and Quiet, This is Just the Day, and Once Upon at Lovely Day. And of course, no Mister Rogers offering would be complete without Won't You Be My Neighbor sung by the combined choirs and then joined by the audience.

 

The performance ended with CFC's hallmark song, The Lord Bless You and Keep You under the direction of Christine Jordanoff. Joining the combined choirs were nearly twenty alumni.

 

CFC was honored by the presence of Joanne Rogers and her gracious comments praising the children. We are also grateful for the generous sponsorship of Tucker|Arensberg and for a grant from the Buhl Foundation.


Twenty-Five Years and counting! 

The end of the 2010/11 concert season also marked Christine Jordanoff's 25th year as CFC's Artistic Director. Over those years, Christine's talent and vision have touched ... and changed ... the lives of nearly 2,000 young people.

 

Bless You

Christine Jordanoff conducts CFC's combined choirs plus assembled alumni in "The Lord Bless You and Keep You"

In an expression of CFC's appreciation for her long and unswerving commitment to children's choral education, Board President, Ben Hodes and Executive Director, Jim Van Valkenburgh briefly interrupted the program to present Christine with a custom-crafted bowl ... and to attempt to put into words the love and graditude of unnumbered students, parents, coworkers and friends.

 

Of course, there are no gifts ... or celebrations ... or words that 

can adequately measure the impact Christine's life has had on the lives of so many. In the end, it's all about the children ... about the lessons shared and values conveyed ... about the willingness to invest in an uncertain outcome ... and the rewards of seeing that investment yield a bountiful harvest of children grown to adulthood who, like Christine, are willing to give, share and sacrifice for the betterment of others.

 

Thank you, Christine. God Bless You!

 


Summertime Fun!

This summer, Children's Festival Chorus will again offer Summer Music Day Camp -- a weeklong musical learning experience designed for children in the 7 - 12 year range.

Students learn and practice fundamental musical skills including the Vocal Vital Signs (posture, breath support, and embouchure), reading and writing rhythmic patterns, singing the major scale using Curwen hand signs, and performing using appropriate facial expressions.

MusicKidsThe daily three-hour sessions allow students to sing, listen and move to music, and express themselves through musical creation. It also encourages social development through fun-filled activities such as School Spirit Day, Pet Picture Day, and Crazy Hat Day.

Priced at $125 (with tuition assistance available) the program is open to all but encouraged for students planning to participate in CFC's entry-level chorus (Troubadours) during the 2011/12 school year.

The program will be offered during the week of July 5th thru July 8th. Summer Music Day Camp will run from 9 AM - 12 Noon. CLICK HERE for registration information.


Thank You for Supporting CFC.Pittsburgh Gives

Thank you to everyone who made a gift to CFC during the Pittsburgh Is Art DAY OF GIVING on May 11th. Your support is essential to allowing CFC to continue to provide children, teachers and the community, at large with exceptional choral education and performance programs.

 

Gifts made to CFC will receive an equal share of the $475,000 in matching funds provided by The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Hillman Foundation, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, The Buhl Foundation, and The Grable Foundation.  

 

While the final tabulation is still pending, Pittsburgh Foundation has reported that donations totaling $1.4 million were received during the 24 hour Day of Giving in support of the region's arts and cultural organizations. All 147 participating organizations received a gift.

 

In This Issue
Spring Concert Review
Bless You, Christine Jordanoff!
Summer Day Camp.
Day of Giving Thank You.

Elena Berg - You Are Special!

 

Ortenzo Award Winner

Elena Berg - recipient of this year's Ortenzo Scholarship Award - is serenaded by Joe Negri singing You Are Special. Looking on are David Newell (Mr. McFeely) and last year's winner, Bethany Hodes.

 

Elena is a fifth year CFCer and a 7th grader at Dorseyville Middle School, where she is a straight "A" student. Her love of music began in kindergarten singing in the children's choir at Shadyside Presbyterian. In addition to voice, she is accomplished in viola and trombone. Active in her church's youth group, she also volunteers at East End Cooperative Ministries and Hosannah Industries. 


Around Town

National Anthem

 

One hundred and six CFCers proudly sang our National Anthem at PNC Park on April 10th before a home town crowd of over 12,000 cheering fans. The appearance was arranged by Friends of CFC.

 

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About Children's Festival Chorus
 
Children's Festival Chorus exists to bring the rewards of professional-level choral instruction and performance to Pittsburgh-area children, families, schools and the community, at large.

Now in its 28th years, CFC is our region's premier children's choral program offering children of all backgrounds the opportunity to grow musically while gaining personal poise and confidence, maturity and a life-long appreciation of group endeavor and achievement.

CFC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and relies on the support of individual, business and community sources to carry on its mission of Whole Child ... Whole Community. Your support is essential and truly appreciated.