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Welcome to the 31st season of the Fairfield County Children’s Choir! As we start our 4th decade, our staff is very excited about making music again with our wonderful choristers. For this message, I would like to take a moment to write about our singers. The FCCC staff have all known a good number of students in our teaching careers who we remember as outstanding in so many ways. But for thirty years I have observed that in the FCCC, we have an unusually large percentage of exemplary young people who have chosen to sing with us.
So many of our choristers are simply genuinely good people. They are sincere, polite, considerate, compassionate and always willing to help others. The work we do to prepare for performances with musical excellence is very demanding, but these kids are resilient and responsible. Another exceptional trait I have observed is the humility of all of our soloists, with no evident egos. I truly enjoy working with such brilliant minds as they navigate their solos, original compositions and improvisations; and in the speed with which difficult skills and concepts are learned; and simply just in casual conversation. These young people are dedicated to the choir and all of its members.
As an illustration of my high regard for our choristers, be sure to read the Chorister Profiles below from some of our seniors. Note Bella Lombardi’s wisdom and insight when she says, “The most rewarding feeling comes after singing a difficult piece, and everyone around you knows that we nailed it. The silence between the end of the song and the audience’s applause is where I feel most grateful to have FCCC in my life, as I am reminded to appreciate each present moment around others who share the same passion.” I am most grateful that I have had the privilege to interact with these young people over many years. Their passion and joy have brought great meaning to my life.
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We have an exciting program of new pieces for our annual Winter Concert on December 7, 2025 (3:00 PM at The Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport). We will feature twin themes, Songs of Hope & Peace with The Music of Johnny Marks, which will include beautifully poignant selections beside the classic holiday songs of one of America’s most popular songwriters. We will also include a masterpiece by J.S. Bach, the great patriotic song, Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, and, just for fun, Bohemian Rhapsody! We hope to see you there!
Jon Noyes
Music Director & Founder
| | | | Chorister Profiles | 2025 - 2026 Seniors | | We have an outstanding group of 18 seniors in the FCCC this year! It is always interesting to learn about them, their favorite songs and to hear their thoughts about the choir. Below is the first group of profiles for this season. Congratulations to these talented singers! | | |
Name: Amanda Petri
Age: 16
School: Fairfield Ludlowe High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Total Praise, City Called Heaven, Biebl Ave Maria
FCCC has been the most impactful musical experience in my life, teaching me not only technique and music literacy, but professionalism and discipline as well. The directors and the hardworking environment that they have created have raised my expectations of what a great choir is, and I am yet to encounter another choir that matches the musical excellence and the genuine camaraderie of this group; particularly the Chamber Singers. I am beyond grateful to Mr. Noyes, Ms. Bettke, and the rest of the FCCC faculty for giving us incredible performance opportunities such as the chance to sing at Carnegie Hall and go on tours over the summer, but above all, I am grateful to them for nurturing our love for music and our confidence as musicians. I cherish the music we make not only because it is beautiful and impactful, but because I get to make it with talented musicians I can call my friends. I cannot imagine I would be quite the person I am today without this choir, and I know saying goodbye to it will be bittersweet. Thank you for believing in me, Mr. Noyes, and being a role model for me, as I hope to be a role model for my underclassmen in this choir. This group has given me the gift of song, and I will never stop singing!
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Name: Bella Lombardi
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Ludlowe High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Bridge Over Troubled Water, When I Fall in Love
After having Mr. Noyes as a music teacher in elementary school, I joined FCCC in fourth grade and have been in it for 9 years! This choir, unlike any other activity I have participated in, has truly allowed me to become the person that I am today. From having the opportunity to perform a wide variety of music in incredible venues, including Carnegie Hall, I have not only developed my love for music but my ability to connect with those around me. Built with passion, love, and energy, FCCC is a place where I truly feel welcome and always leave rehearsal in good spirits. The most rewarding feeling comes after singing a difficult piece, and everyone around you knows that we nailed it. The silence between the end of the song and the audience’s applause is where I feel most grateful to have FCCC in my life, as I am reminded to appreciate each present moment around others who share the same passion. I am positive that what I have learned in this choir, primarily thanks to Mr. Noyes and Ms. Bettke, will carry me throughout college and beyond!
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Name: Thomas Coppola
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Warde High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Total Praise, When I Fall in Love
Music has shaped the course of my life in innumerable ways. Nothing could have prepared me for the reflection on these last 7 years, and the impact that this choir has had on me. FCCC has been paramount in my musical, emotional, and professional journeys. It has taught me lessons of discipline, work ethic, working with others, in addition to the musical opportunities I am presented with. The rehearsal space that FCCC provides serves as a safe-haven for individuality and expression through music, as well as a source of inspiration. My parents have always said I have a song in my heart, and when I come out of rehearsal humming, I only have the conductors to thank for making that statement true. FCCC brings out a light in me that nothing else does, or will ever do. The memories created through this organization will last a lifetime and beyond, and I am eternally grateful for the time that I’ve spent singing my heart out every Monday and Wednesday night. Thank you, Fairfield County Children’s Choir. You’ve changed my life.
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Name: Kady Mongirdas
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Warde High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, I'm Goin' Up a Yonder
I joined FCCC in 4th grade, and after a short hiatus, I joined Chamber Singers for my senior year. Before I joined in 4th grade, I already knew that I could sing, but FCCC allowed me to find my voice for music, and guide me to be the musician I am today. I also owe much gratitude to Mr. Noyes who has always challenged me, and the other conductors, especially Ms. Z, my elementary school music teacher, who encouraged me to audition and is the reason why I am so passionate about music today. As I moved from elementary school throughout high school, FCCC became a space where I grew tremendously as a vocalist, and as a person. When I was not participating in FCCC I felt a void on Wednesday nights. FCCC has meant so much to me, and I plan to take everything I have learned as I move forward to study music in college.
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Name: Brooke Dougherty
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Warde High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: I'm Goin' Up a Yonder, Total Praise, Will the Circle Be Unbroken
It’s difficult to fathom that I will be starting my 9th and final year with FCCC this school year. It feels like just yesterday when Ms. Bettke suggested that I audition for FCCC. Each school year I am eager to start the FCCC season and look forward to Wednesday night rehearsals which always bring me joy! The Broadway concert is my personal favorite because I love musicals and it is always fun anticipating the songs chosen for this show. FCCC has given me many valuable experiences like being able to perform at Carnegie Hall for the spring concert in May 2022. I was in 8th grade at the time and that opportunity was almost taken away because I contracted COVID a few weeks before. Getting cleared to sing at Carnegie Hall was the biggest blessing. I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything and will always treasure the time I had on that stage. Another opportunity FCCC gave me was being able to volunteer at their music camp during the past three summers. It was such a joy to share my passion for music with the younger generation. During my time at FCCC, I’ve learned what makes a great chorister and for that I am truly thankful. I want to thank all of the wonderful conductors for being so dedicated and supportive over the years. I will miss this amazing FCCC community next fall!
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Name: Teagan Halpin
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Ludlowe High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: So hard to pick just one so I’d say Kaval Sviri, City Called Heaven, Total Praise, and Bridge Over Troubled Water
I’ve only been a member of FCCC for three years but I can say it has truly changed my life and helped shape me so much as a musician. Every Monday and Wednesday night I’m surrounded by such talented people who inspire me to do better. Being in this choir for these few years has taught me so much like how to read music, how to shape my vowels, better breath support, and so much else. I’ve also been pushed out of my comfort zone by being called on to solo. I’ve made lifelong friendships here in FCCC and I am so grateful I got to be in this choir, even if it was for a short time.
| | We have been receiving a number of letters from our alumni as they get started in their freshman year at college. This one from Lindsay Carozza is very inspiring! | |
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Hi Mr. Noyes!
I hope everything is going well with the choir preparations for this upcoming year... I have been missing it dearly. Now that I have adjusted into my new school year, I have a few things I hope you and the choir will find interesting about Holy Cross.
I mentioned this before the New Orleans trip, but I went up to Holy Cross early to join Choir Week. It’s basically a week before school starts where we do some rehearsing for Freshman Convocation, the President’s Dinner, and do a whole bunch of activities in between. I couldn’t believe my eyes when my choir director pulled out "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and said we’re performing it for Convocation! I am proud to say I auditioned for a solo and received the “sail on silver girl” verse! I always like to thank Chamber Singers for my preparedness for choir and for getting me that solo (and a bunch of compliments from the other freshmen and faculty at Convocation).
I also auditioned for the Holy Cross Chamber Singers, which is the highest level of choir and only has 20 students in it. The director complimented my music literacy, pitch, and tone quality the most after my audition and I was offered a spot with only two other freshmen in the whole group! We have started singing a Benjamin Britten piece, "Hymn to St. Cecilia", as well as other pieces that I think are much easier than our FCCC repertoire.
As other alums have said before, the college choir and Chamber aren't nearly as skilled as FCCC Chamber Singers, but I was pleasantly surprised by the conductor's emphasis on tall vowels and that one warm up we do with each section singing a different note on ‘Do’ a half step apart from each other. I can't stress enough how important my ability to sight read has helped me throughout the beginning of the school year. Upperclassmen have told me how much they rely on me for leading tougher sections of songs, which I credit completely to all the sight-reading practice we do during rehearsals, and the level of difficulty some of our songs with all our voice parts. In the end, I always find myself missing the Chamber Singers family after my own rehearsals and I can't wait to visit again!
That’s all the updates I have for now… tell the group to have fun being awesome because it definitely pays off!
Miss you all,
Lindsay
| | | | From Chris Powers: This past summer, I had the pleasure of directing the Kodály program at the Hartt School of Music, a nationally respected training program for music educators. In addition to overseeing the program, I taught three graduate-level pedagogy classes and worked with dedicated teachers from around the world. Outside of my professional work, I enjoyed quality time with my family, especially relaxing days at the pool. I'm feeling refreshed, inspired, and eagerly looking forward to an exciting and music-filled year ahead with the Fairfield County Children’s Choir! | |
 | | From Lisa Bettke: The highlight of the summer for me, by far, was being a part of the Chamber Singers tour to New Orleans! It was such a great experience for all of us, filled with incredible music making. We were part of the Crescent City Choral Festival and joined 11 other choirs from around the country. We performed 5 selections at the pre-festival concert and then were part of a massed choir in the final concert which was conducted by Bob Chilcott and Cheryl DuPont. The Chamber Singers also performed Biebl’s Ave Maria and the acoustics of the cathedral, along with our talented singers, made it a highlight of the concert with the huge audience! With Mr. Noyes as our tour guide, we learned so much about the city of New Orleans. One of the many highlights was a private performance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band! Some of our choristers even performed some jazz solos with them! All in all, it was a memorable week for everyone involved. Thanks, Mr. Noyes, for all your hard work and effort in planning such a terrific trip!
| | From Jon Noyes: After I returned from the Chamber Singers tour on July 1, I spent three weeks planning for next season (selecting the music, preparing for the Chamber Singers performance at the wedding of former chorister Amanda Violone on July 12, arranging performance venues and activities for the Chamber Singers tour to Ireland in 2026, etc.) Then, in late July, I traveled with family and friends to France for two weeks (my first visit to the D-Day beaches at Normandy), followed by two weeks on Seneca Lake in western New York and three days on Cape Cod. (I had my phone and/or computer with me, as the work of the FCCC never ends!) I now am eager to start my 45th year as a music educator, working with the amazing musicians (staff and choristers) of the FCCC! | | From Ashley Zadravecz: This was one of the most special summers of my life, as I got to spend it with my daughter Lydia, who is turning one at the end of September! We enjoyed going to the library, attending concerts on the town green, music classes, playing at various parks, going to Lake Mohegan, and walking around our wonderful neighborhood. My husband Gabriel, Lydia, and I will be traveling to Mystic for a few days where we plan to visit the Mystic Aquarium as well as walk around the town! I also taught one week of FCCC music camp at the end of June which was a lot of fun. I am feeling very excited for this upcoming season with FCCC! | | FCCC Performs with a Hip-Hop Artist! | | |
We often receive requests for our choristers to sing with various groups and artists. For example, we have performed with symphonies, adult choirs, the West Point band, for television commercials, singing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for a Knicks game, and even on America’s Got Talent. But we had never been approached by a hip-hop artist.
Corey “Pheez” Lee is from Bloomfield, Connecticut. He is a husband, father, and naval veteran who has been doing music for approximately 30 years. He’s also a disability advocate living with quadriplegia, following a diving accident. He recently appeared on NBC Connecticut's "Friday Feels" hosted by Taylor Kinzler. He has done work for a wheelchair manufacturer called Permobil. Corey wrote and produced the theme song for their podcast "Wheelchair Nerds." He has recorded seven studio albums and several singles, including music videos, which are available to listen to on all streaming platforms. He has also been nominated to be Connecticut's next Official State Troubadour.
The recording took place on June 17 at Silk City Music Factory in Manchester. Corey requested between six and eight younger voices. The FCCC choristers who took part were Alyvia Tuason, Mira Rajan, Tenley Millien, Emma Murphy, Daphne Altin-Fahey, Nora Muldowney, Elijah Legros and Nicholas Palladino. The song is entitled "After The Gold (feat. Fairfield County Children’s Choir)," which is a part of his eighth studio album entitled "Riches in The Rubble." The album is available on Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes and all streaming platforms. Here is a link: https://music.apple.com/us/album/riches-in-the-rubble/1835315334
| | FCCC Featured in Fairfield Coastal Neighbors Magazine | | The FCCC was featured recently in the Community Corners section of Fairfield Coastal Neighbors Magazine. You can view the article by clicking this button: | | |
A contribution to the Fairfield County Children's Choir is an investment in the future. We train outstanding young performers and help them to grow – both as musicians and as responsible, caring young adults. Your support makes it possible for us to bring our world-class choir experience to musically talented children, many of whom receive tuition assistance. Your gift is tax deductible, and we gratefully thank you for your generosity.
Fairfield County Children's Choir
P.O. Box 1528
Fairfield, CT 06825
SingFCCC.org
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Remember the FCCC Motto:
Have Fun Being Awesome!
| | The Mississippi River in New Orleans, LA | | |
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MUSIC STAFF
Music Director & Founder - Jon Noyes
Concert Choir Conductor - Chris Anne Powers
Chorale Conductor & Accompanist - Lisa Bettke
Chorus Conductor - Ashley Zadravecz
Accompanist - Rodney Loren
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STAFF
General Manager - Barbara Peck
Assistant Choir Manager - Alicen Gachi
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