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Children's Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh                                                                         January 2012

 

CFC WINTER CONCERT

Heartwarming Performance Thrills Audience 

 

CFC WInter Concert
CFC combined choirs at East Liberty Presbyterian Church

CFC's choristers took to the risers on Sunday, December 11 and dazzled their audience of over 850 with a bright and brilliant seasonal

 concert. Themed "The Nature of the Season", the concert offered a varied repertoire of folk, traditional and seasonal songs exploring the beauty and splendor of the winter season.

 

Program highlights included Christine Jordanoff's direction of the Bel Canto Singers' rendition of "To the Ploughboy" and "Donkey Carol" as well as the combined chorus' performance of "Bless the Beasts and the Children" and "Gloria." While somewhat smaller than in past years, the Talisman choir under Lisa Jaworowski demonstrated its strength and versatility with numbers such as "October Party." And Troubadour conductor Angela Machi took our youngest group to marvelous heights in songs such as "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

 

Accompanying the children on several arrangements were CFC parents Jennifer Dell and Barbara Hois. Thanks to both as well as Reverend Randy Bush for serving as the event's emcee.

 

Audience members were invited to sing seasonal favorites and to attend the annual Cookie Reception hosted by the Friends of CFC following the concert.


H�nsel und Gretel

Big Magic in a Small House!

 

Young and old alike know the story of Hansel and Gretel and their fateful encounter with the wicked Witch. But when set to music, sung in German and performed in an intimate venue like CAPA, the opera captivates in ways the fairy tale never could.

 

Yet, what makes Pittsburgh Opera's production so special is the close ties Children's Festival Chorus has to it. First, the performance features seventeen of CFC's gifted choristers filling the role of children

Hansel & Gretel
Hansel & Gretel

ensnared by the Witch. And while their appearance is confirmed to the climatic third act, it is quite memorable. As noted by the Tribune-Reviews Mark Kanny, "the Children's Festival Chorus was absolutely professional, both as the dulled spirits of the children trapped by the Witch and their exuberant selves when they are freed by Hansel and Gretel ..."

 

Plus, former CFCer and now Artist-In-Residence, Alexandra Loutsion plays the dual roles of both the Mother and the Witch ... each with "a masterful blend of vocal acting with stylized movement."

 

At this writing, limited tickets remain available for both the Friday evening (Feb 3) and Sunday matinee (Feb 5). Check the Pittsburgh Opera's website to order tickets.


SUMMER CAMP IS ALMOST HERE??

Mark your calendars!

 

The calendar may only read "January" but plans are already underway for this summer's Residency Workshop and Music Day Camp.

 

This year's Summer Residency Workshop for CFC Talisman and Bel Canto choristers will again be held at Washington & Jefferson College during the week of July 22nd (thru the 27th). Last year's move to W&J was a welcomed change for students, PODs and instructors alike. This year, there will be a few tweaks but no big surprises to this special week of learning and fun.

 

We are, however, changing the timing of our Summer Music Day Camp. This year, the program moves out the shadow of July 4th and into the week of August 6th thru 10th ... five full days of musical exploration and making new friends! Angela Evans will again be our lead instructor but with a whole extra day, goodness knows what fun she'll dream up for the students. Children 7 to 11 are welcome. CLICK HERE to download an enrollment form.


SPRING CONCERT SPONSORSHIPS

CFC families, alumni and friends ... we need your help, now!

 

CFC's Spring Concert is just three months away on April 28th. The concert - "A Night at the Opera" - will take you on musical journey of some of the most beloved operatic choruses featuring all three of CFC's choirs plus special guest solists. Plus following the concert, we celebrate the end of another successful year and bid farewell to our graduating students. So much excitement packed into a single afternoon!

 

But right now, we need your help to generate sponsors, advertisers and merchandise donations for Spring concert and Friends banquet. Sponsorship gifts from area businesses and merchants are an important source of revenue.

 

To help, simply CLICK HERE to download CFC's "How You Can Help" package. It contains the information you'll need to get started. If you need additional information, call 412-281-4790.


CONGRATULATIONS Shawn Funk!

Recipient of State Citation for Excellence!

Shawn Funk
Shawn Funk - Interim CFC Conductor ... PMEA Honoree

 

Shawn Funk, interim conductor of CFC's Bel Canto Singers during Christine Jordanoff's four month sabbatical, has been named the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Citation of Excellence Awardee. Funk is one of only 12 elementary music educators from across Pennsylvania to receive this prestigious award.

 

"There is no one more deserving of this award than Shawn Funk," says Dr. Anne E. Stephens, Superintendent of the Fox Chapel Area Schools, where he is employed as an elementary teacher. "Mr. Funk has brought joy into the lives of thousands of children for many years through the sharing of his talent and love for music."

In This Issue
Winter Concert
Hansel & Gretel
Summer Camps
Spring Concert
Shawn Funk
COMING EVENTS
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 Tucker Arensberg

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 29th 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.