In 1995, the direction of classical performances in Fairfield County was forever changed, as the "Fairfield County Children's Choir (FCCC)" was founded. On this, the group's twenty-fifth anniversary, I wish to share some memories of my time in this distinguished organization (1).
Just for chronological reference, let's look back at where we were twenty-five years ago.
In Washington, Bill Clinton was in the third year of his first term as president. Microsoft's "Windows 95" was brand new for the computer market, and the public internet was in its infancy (2). Personally, I was fourteen years old, and entering eighth grade at Fairfield's Tomlinson Middle School.
The first memory that I have of FCCC is the day of my audition. I remember my mother (who accompanied me on this occasion) driving me to what was then known as the Roger Ludlowe Community Center. There, I went into one of the first floor rooms, and met music director Jon Noyes.
Having earned my mother's enthusiastic endorsement, it was time for me to show what I could do. For the sake of brevity, I will simply say that Mr. Noyes seemed to be impressed. In short order, I found myself having membership in the very first ensemble of FCCC.
Other than weekly rehearsals, breathing exercises, and the tongue-in-cheek "theme song" of the group (don't ask), there isn't too much that I remember about the usual routine. Nevertheless, one memory has stayed with me; that of the choir's first big performance. This particular concert took place at Fairfield University's Regina Quick Center.
As I recall, when I walked into the concert venue, I was awed by the Center's size and setting. Having limited experience, I had never sung in such a large hall before. Looking back, it all seemed very surreal to a teenage boy.
Among the selections that my ensemble performed that day, there are a few that stand out in my mind.
I faintly remember singing a certain Bosnian folk song (this was about the time of the Bosnian War), the name and lyrics of which escape me (3). We also presented a rendition of a song entitled "Siyahamba". The composition's name is of Zulu origin; translated into English, it means "we are marching (in the light of God)" (4).
The final performance of the concert was one that, twenty-five years later, I still remember fondly. It was a piece called "Goin' Up Yonder", and it featured a female solo part. In my mind, I can still hear the voice of Amanda Weir (apologies for not knowing her married name) singing that song, and the rest of the choir as we joined in. Needless to say, the concert was a great success, and a key occasion in the history of the group.
It is important for me to mention not only the lasting legacy of FCCC, but what the organization means to me personally. FCCC helped me to grow into not simply an adult, but a man. I made many good friends as part of that first ensemble; some that I still keep in touch with. It's always enjoyable to remember those early times, and how the stage was set (so to speak) for later groups and events.
Over the last twenty-five years, FCCC has become a thriving part of the Fairfield County cultural scene. It has traveled all over the world, performing in places such as Carnegie Hall (see Author's Note). The positive impact that the choir has had is, in a word, immeasurable (5).
So saying, I salute the various groups of the Fairfield County Children's Choir, as well as their impeccable leaders. Here's to another quarter-century of outstanding performances...and memories.
Author's Note: Due to FCCC's age limits at the time, I missed this performance by one year...drat!
Sources:
1. "Our Story – Fairfield County Children's Choir". Singfccc.Org, 2020, https://www.singfccc.org/about/our-story/. Accessed 22 Dec 2020.
2. "1995". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995. Accessed 22 Dec 2020.
3. "Bosnian War". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnian_War. Accessed 22 Dec 2020.
4. "Siyahamba". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siyahamba. Accessed 22 Dec 2020.
5. Personal knowledge.
"Missed it by THAT MUCH" -- Maxwell Smart, "Get Smart"
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