June 2014
A New Season Begins!

The month of June ushers in the start of the new season at Children's Festival Chorus and, as with any new season, there are bound to be changes!  We are pleased to announce that Shawn Funk will serve as the Interim Artistic Director while the board continues its search to replace Christine Jordanoff who is now officially retired from CFC.

In addition to planning the artistic vision for CFC this season, Mr. Funk will conduct the Bel Canto Choir.  Another change for this year is that Mrs. Evans will conduct the Talisman choir in addition to the Troubadour choir. Because Mr. Funk and Mrs. Evans are both well-known and respected by our choristers and parents alike, the board and administration is confident that this is the best possible solution for this year.

CFC has a stellar history and reputation for being one of the finest children's choruses in the country.  The search and ultimate appointment for an Artistic Director is one the board of directors takes very seriously.  As we expand and continue our search, we will keep you apprised of our progress via this monthly newsletter.


The Children's Festival Chorus will conduct
Choral Auditions
for its 2014/2015 Program Year on
Monday June 16th from 6 P.M. until 7:15 P.M. at
Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music.


Children, 8-11 years old, with the desire to advance musically and learn, grow and perform in a professional, nurturing and rewarding environment are encouraged to try out.
Register HERE Today!



Join Us for an Evening  
of Feasting & Fundraising! 
Wednesday, June 25th 6:00pm - 9:00pm
800 Vinial St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

20% OF ALL FOOD AND BEVERAGE PURCHASES
 will be generously donated to the Children's Festival Chorus.
Dine In and Take Out included!
(Why not take home some pierogi?)

Penn Brewery Restaurant specializes in authentic dishes from the various immigrant groups that originally settled Pittsburgh. You can relax in the old world Bierhalle or outdoor Biergartenn while enjoying authentic Polish pierogi, German wursts, potato pancakes & schnitzel... or try modern Pittsburgh specialties like a kielbasa Reuben!  Pair your meal with one of Penn's many spectacular handcrafted beers. We look forward to seeing you there!

(You must print this and present it upon arrival to ensure that CFC receives 20% of your total dinner tab.  Don't worry if your forget.  CFC representatives will be there with extras!)

Take note . . . All funds raised through this event will support the beginning of a new CFC travel fund to help offset the costs of our students' touring expenses.  Everyone benefits!


Treat your child to a week of fun, song and friends...and a life-long love of music!


Our SUMMER MUSIC DAY CAMP runs August 4th through August 8th, from 9:00 A.M.-12 P.M. at Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music and is taught by Angela Evans, our Conductor
of CFC's Troubadour Choir. Register Online Here!
(Submissions must be received by July 28th.)

CFC Wish List: NEW SERVER
 
CFC desperately needs a new server so that we can continue to make much needed technology improvements. We are currently using a machine that operates on Windows XP,  and we would require a minimum upgrade to Windows 7.

If you know of anyone who frequently upgrades their computers and would be interested in making a donation to CFC, we would greatly appreciate it!!!

 

On May 3rd, CFC celebrated its 30th anniversary in style with a concert and gala cocktail reception at the Hillman Center for the Performing Arts on the Shady Side Academy campus.

 

Jim Cunningham, Artistic Director of WQED-FM served as emcee for the concert, announcing performances by the Troubadour, Talisman and Bel Canto Choirs as they made their way onto the stage. CFC was thrilled to welcome soprano Jennifer O'Loughlin as a guest artist on the program. Singing with the choirs, Ms. O'Loughlin performed Mozart's Laudate Dominum followed by Ronde du Cr�pescule by C�cile Chaminade. She then delighted the audience with a breathtaking performance of Caro Nome from Verdi's opera Rigoletto.  

 

Other guest artists on the program included guitarist Gregg Campayno, percussionist Jeff Berman, violinist  Bob Banerjee, and Susan Powers on banjo.  Lindsey Nova, horn player and Executive Director of Three Rivers Young Peoples' Orchestra, provided a beautiful instrumental accompaniment to An American Anthem, a stirring patriotic piece by Allan Naplan.

 

 

 

 

The performance closed with The Lord Bless You and Keep You.  Keeping with tradition, all CFC alumna were invited to the stage.  More than 40 were present to have one final opportunity to perform under the direction of Christine Jordanoff who took her final bow as CFC's Artistic Director. Shawn Funk, conductor of Talisman Choir and Angela Evans, conductor of Troubadour Choir, joined Mrs. Jordanoff on stage to receive a standing ovation for this incredible concert.

 

Then . . . there was the GALA!  Following the concert, gala guests were treated to delicious foods and wines.  Music was provided by the Scott Boni Trio.  Mr. Boni, a CFC student from 1989-1994 credits his experiences as a CFC member with "providing the musical and personal foundation that he has been fortunate enough to build upon as a professional". 

 

CFC is very grateful to the numerous businesses and individuals who provided items and services that were part of the gala's silent auction. More than $3500 was raised in auction items alone!   

All totaled, the gala's raised nearly $17,000.

 

We are so very grateful to our friends Hilda and Freddie Fu, the Elizur Corporation, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Riley, Hewitt, Witte & Romano, The Hill Group and William and Debbie Demchak as well as all of the benefactors and patrons who are too numerous to mention.  Your support of CFC for this milestone event was - and is - deeply appreciated by all of us at CFC.

 

Photographer John Madia took lots of photos at the gala. If you would like to see more of them and perhaps order copies, please visit his website here.

 
Susan Loutsion Award

CFC was pleased to award Suzanne Columbus with the Susan Loutsion Volunteerism Award at its May concert. The Susan Loutsion Award is presented each year to an individual who has given selfless,  
dedicated and heartfelt volunteer service to support CFC, its staff and choristers.

Suzanne Columbus served as President of CFC's Friends organization for two consecutive years. Prior to that, she served as a devoted parent chaperon as her two children Sam and Natalie moved through the  
CFC choirs.
   

SAVE THE DATE!
 
Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 7:05 P.M.  
 
Please join CFC students and Alumni as we sing the National Anthem at Consol Energy Park. Invite your friends and neighbors to come and hear our children sing the National Anthem in this Family Friendly venue.

Rockford Aviators at Washington Wild Things

All tickets are $10, half of which goes directly to CFC.
(When purchasing, please remember that everyone needs a ticket to enter, including singers!)

In the event of a Rain-Out, your tickets may be exchanged for a make up date.

Questions? Don't hesitate: [email protected] 

Family Portrait Session up for Email Auction!

Photographer John Madia donated a gift certificate for a Family Portrait Session to our silent auction.  Unfortunately, the individual who bid on this item has not come forward to claim it so we are happy to offer it to the entire CFC community.  This gift certificate includes a complimentary clothing consultation along with a studio portrait session performed Monday-Thursday from 10am-5pm.  (Evenings and weekends are also available at a minimum investment.)  Included is an 11 x 14 "Signature Portrait".  This gift certificate valued at $375 expires on August 3. 

The John Madia Photography Studio is located in Gibsonia.

If interested in this item, send an email with your bid amount to [email protected].  Please put AUCTION BID in the subject line.  The highest bidder will be will notified on or about June 16th.  If there is more than one bid for the same amount, the first bid received takes the prize!

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CFC is looking to reconnect with old friends as well as make new ones!  We especially want to do a better job of keeping in touch with our alumni. Parents, please feel free to post any performance pictures or videos on our page or tag us in yours! We always see you filming them and never get to enjoy them.  
 


401 Wood Street , Suite 810 
PHONE: 412-281-4790 
FAX: 412-281-2214