Vol. 25, No. 2 Winter 2025-2026 | |
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Happy New Year and welcome to the second semester of our 31st year! We experienced a wonderful series of performances last month, beginning with the Annual Winter Concert at The Klein Memorial Auditorium on December 7. We followed that full group presentation with all four of the FCCC choirs performing for senior living communities, homeless shelters and Operation Hope on Wednesday, December 10. The audiences were very appreciative - some were wildly enthusiastic! We certainly achieved our goal of spreading joy! The Chamber Singers finished the 2025 holiday performance season on December 13 with a full-length concert at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull, at which some members of our Concert Choir, Chorale and Chorus, as well as alumni, parents and audience members joined us to sing along.
We now have one month to prepare for one of the highlights of the year, the Annual FCCC Broadway Concert, entitled Another Op’nin', Another Show, after the song from the musical Kiss Me Kate, which will lead off the program. Many of the region’s top young soloists will be featured on Broadway favorites such as "The Wizard and I" from Wicked, "Seasons of Love" from Rent, "I’m Here" from The Color Purple, and "Everybody Rejoice" from The Wiz. To honor the 50th anniversary of the musical A Chorus Line, the choir will perform "What I Did for Love." To commemorate the passing of composer Charles Strouse on May 15, 2025, they will sing "It’s a Hard Knock Life" from Annie and "Put on a Happy Face" from Bye, Bye Birdie. Other selections will include "My Shot" from Hamilton, "All Is Found" from Frozen 2, "When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt, "Keep Marching" from Suffs, "The Human Heart" from Once on This Island, and "Great Expectations" from The Outsiders.
Tickets are available at this link: https://www.theklein.org/buy-tickets/upcoming-events/fccc-broadway-concert-2026/ Please be aware that you should only purchase tickets through the
link provided. Other sites are not associated with The Klein and charge extra fees.
Jon Noyes
Music Director & Founder
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From the President of the Board of Directors | |
Happy New Year! December was an extraordinary month for us. Our winter concert was a true highlight, and our caroling performances at Operation Hope, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, 3030 Park, and Sturges Ridge of Fairfield brought joy to so many. The gratitude we received from residents reminded us why our community outreach matters so deeply.
We are now turning our focus to our upcoming “Best of Broadway” concert on February 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the Klein Memorial Auditorium, and we hope to see you there. At our January 8th Board of Directors meeting, we faced a difficult reality: our financial outlook is challenging. We are currently projecting a $60,000 loss for this fiscal year. In previous years, Covid-related and arts-funding grants helped sustain us, but those sources are no longer available.
While we are deeply grateful for the generosity shown during our annual appeal, especially the larger gifts, we fell short of the broad base of smaller contributions we had hoped would help cover operating costs. As it stands, tuition alone does not meet our expenses, and the Board is now considering a significant tuition increase.
We know families are asked to support many causes, and we do not take your generosity for granted. That’s why we are reaching out openly: if you have ideas, connections, or expertise that could help us fundraise and strengthen our financial foundation, we would be truly grateful to hear from you. Every idea has the potential to make a meaningful difference.
Together, we can ensure that our programs continue to thrive and that our students have the opportunities they deserve.
Sincerely,
John Ellis
President
| | | | Chorister Profiles | 2025 - 2026 Seniors | | We have an outstanding group of seniors in the FCCC this year, including ten who have been with us since fourth grade! It is always interesting to learn about them, their favorite songs and their thoughts about the choir. Below is the second group of profiles for this season. Congratulations to these talented singers! | | |
Name: Ella Flowers
Age: 18
School: Christian Heritage School
Town: Stratford
Favorite FCCC Song: Shine the Light, Total Praise, I’m Going Up a Yonder, Bridge Over Troubled Water
When I first joined FCCC I did not know initially what I was getting myself into, since I was the only kid from my school in the program. I had no idea what to expect or what was coming. At the very beginning my mom forced me to audition! I learned very quickly how much I loved it and looking back on my nine years with the program, I can now confidently say that FCCC was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. The amount of growth and learning I have done in the program is insane. I have learned so much about singing, hard work, never giving up, character, drive, discipline, perseverance, and performance. I am beyond grateful to have had the honor to work under Mr. Noyes and all the conductors! Mr. Noyes should write a book because the knowledge he shares about singing and life is so valuable. I also have had so much fun at FCCC. Monday and Wednesday nights are a highlight of my week! FCCC is a great place for me as a musician because I get to work hard to produce amazing music with amazing people. It has taught me the importance of teamwork. I play soccer for my school, and one reason why I appreciate and love choir is that everyone is a team player and is always “on the field” and no one is “on the bench”. Everyone gets to work hard to produce something beautiful and we do it together in an incredible community! FCCC is a great community—I get to hang out with people who love music just as much as I do! I love getting to do choir with my sisters as well, which makes it so much fun! I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had during my time in FCCC. Not many high school students can say they performed at Carnegie Hall three times. And I cannot wait to go on tour with the Chamber Singers to Ireland this summer! I am so grateful for FCCC and I will miss it so much next year, as I continue to pursue music in college!
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Name: Caroline Louie
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Ludlowe High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Bridge Over Troubled Water, When I Fall in Love, Total Praise
When I decided to audition for FCCC at the end of fifth grade, I didn’t realize how much it would change my life. Over the past 7 years, I have not only had the opportunity to perform in places I never would have imagined, but I’ve been able to make and maintain some of my closest friendships. Although I admit FCCC seemed somewhat intimidating to me at first, being able to learn difficult repertoire has strengthened my confidence both as a singer and as a person. During one tour, a senior said in a farewell speech that she considered choir to be the most community-based art form there is, and I wholeheartedly agree. We may seem completely different at first glance: our ages span nearly a decade, and many of us go to different schools and have different goals. But from the stage of Carnegie Hall to our infamous trek down the Delaware, we find harmony both in our songs and with each other. I am so grateful to the conductors and board members for making this experience possible, and I will definitely carry the lessons I learned in FCCC with me in college and beyond.
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Name: Abigail Frankel
Age: 17
School: Fairfield Warde High School
Town: Fairfield
Favorite FCCC Song: Total Praise, Goin' Up a Yonder
I’ve been in FCCC since 4th grade and each year it has become more meaningful. Some of my best friends I met through school but became closer with because of FCCC. Being able to work with all the amazing conductors, in some capacity, over the past 9 years has made me able to be flexible when working with conductors outside of FCCC and able to better learn music. The feeling after accomplishing the many challenging pieces has been so rewarding. Some of my favorite experiences have been through FCCC - being able to sing at Carnegie Hall twice was astounding. The Cross Border of Ireland Orchestra was an amazing group - that experience is something I continue to talk about. FCCC has given me many skills, musical and otherwise, that I use in my daily life. They are especially present when I’m singing with my school choir, being able to help others in my section and my ability to read music are some of the most helpful.
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Name: Demeil Betfarhad
Age: 17
School: Staples High School
Town: Westport
Favorite FCCC Song: Angels Carol, Nigra Sum, Joseph Dearest Joseph Mine, Praise His Holy Name
FCCC has been one of the most meaningful parts of my musical life, shaping me not only as a singer but as a person. Being part of this choir meant growing alongside talented and committed musicians in an environment that values both musical excellence and genuine connection. Through unforgettable performances and countless rehearsals, I was guided not only by Mr. Noyes and Miss Bettke, but also by the other choir directors whose leadership, dedication, and passion consistently set a standard to strive toward. Watching the way they lead, with focus, care, and purpose, taught me what it means to be fully present and invested in every moment we create together. Beyond the music, the friendships built through years of rehearsals, bus rides, and shared experiences are what I will carry with me the longest. FCCC is a community defined by passion, discipline, and joy, and I am deeply grateful for the lessons, memories, and people that have shaped who I am today. I will forever be grateful for what FCCC has done for me.
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FCCC Alumna, Rajané Katurah Brown, is a member of the national touring company production of the Broadway musical MJ. (Jon Noyes attended a performance in Hartford!) After following her posts through Canada, as of this writing the show is now in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rajané recently posted, “2026 is starting off just the way I like it, beautifully busy! I spent the last few days doing press for MJ in Little Rock, and I had the most amazing time!!! The southern hospitality is real and I can’t wait to return in March!!! I think we are absolutely going to be “startin’ somethin’ in Little Rock” 🤭!!”
Rajané was featured on Little Rock television and radio interviews, was the featured guest artist for a local youth theater group where she coached them for their upcoming production of Mean Girls, and even found some time to see the “Little Rock 9” statue.
You can follow Rajané on Facebook at Rajané Katurah.
| | Jon Noyes will be the guest conductor for the Connecticut Music Educators Association’s Elementary All-State Choir Festival on February 27 in Bridgeport. | | From Chris Powers: I was grateful to spend Winter Break vacationing with family on Hilton Head Island, enjoying some much-needed time to rest and recharge. On January 9–10, we hosted the Greenwich Honor Choir Music Festival, featuring guest conductor Maria Ellis, “The Girl Conductor,” and a wonderful collaboration with the Greenwich High School Chamber Singers. I’m now eagerly looking ahead to our upcoming Broadway concert—the set list is truly spectacular! Over February break, I’m also excited to spend a week in Goshen, NY, teaching music educators about early childhood music education. | | The Sarah Noyes Memorial Scholarship Fund | |
Sarah Noyes, wife of Jon Noyes and parent of Jake and Abby, passed away unexpectedly on October 10, 2022. The FCCC Staff and Board of Directors have graciously established a scholarship fund in her honor. Contributions will support all of FCCC’s financial aid programs.
To donate to the Sarah Noyes Memorial Scholarship Fund, please click the button below and designate "Sarah Noyes Scholarship."
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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
Media Coordinator - Emily Hoffman
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