
Concert Highlights
“O Sing My Soul” Concert, Vienna Presbyterian Church, June 2, 2025 with The Cathedral Brass
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“O Sing My Soul” Concert, Vienna Presbyterian Church, June 2, 2025 with The Cathedral Brass

Why did you join FCS? Was new to the area and needed to sing in a choir
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Requiems (and Masses) as they express all emotions, but comforts and soothes the soul
Favorite Choir Memory: Trip to France, singing mini concert in Notre Dame
Favorite Food: Anything someone else cooks
Pets? None, gratefully
What is a fun fact about yourself? At audition blending sessions I am singing God save our gracious Queen (or King I guess) while the rest are singing My Country Tis of Thee. After all, I still am a Canadian citizen, and I don’t really know the My Country words.
Why did you join FCS? I was looking for an auditioned community chorus that had high standards, a wide range of repertoire and had a talented and ambitious conductor from whom I could improve as a singer and gain musical experience and knowledge.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna - this living American composer's mix of contemporary and chant-like harmonies are soothing while also intensely emotional and just beautiful. Having had the opportunity to have him in person with FCS several years ago, hear from him, sing with his accompaniment and interact with this American music icon was an experience I'll never forget - all made possible as a result of being a part of FCS.
Favorite Choir Memory: We recently traveled to Ireland and Scotland, singing at 3 venues and touring as a group. One of my favorite memories was spontaneously singing "The Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomond" (or "Loch Lomond"), a traditional Scottish folk song, while on a boat tour of Loch Lomond itself. It was a beautiful and amazing backdrop for our choir's rendition.
Favorite Food: sugar cream pie
Pets? I have a West Highland White Terrier named Izzie.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I just completed 5 years of service on the Virginia State Board of my women's organization, P.E.O.- 'Where Women Motivate, Educate and Celebrate Women' by supporting their educational goals with scholarships, awards, loans, grants and a women's college.
Why did you join FCS? Before I joined FCS, I'd taken a hiatus from a 10-year singing career (in some capacity). Singing all through high school and college; earning my Bachelor of Music in Choral Education and Vocal Performance from CNU. FCS was recommended to me through a past choral director, and I couldn't be happier with my decision to join. I missed the feeling of community and making beautiful music with friends. FCS has been a safe haven for me in many ways, and I'm thrilled to be doing what I love with amazing musicians.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Miserere Mei, Deus by Allegri - for me this piece encapsulates everything I love about choral music. It's breathtaking; with intricate *sparkly* harmonies and an iconic soprano line that will give the listener almost a spiritual experience.
Favorite Choir Memory: Performing evensong in the Sistine Chapel
Favorite Food: Pumpkin pie
Pets? None
What is a fun fact about yourself? I was a figure skater for 10+ years
Why did you join FCS? My love for choral singing.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Hard to choose one. Maybe Vivaldi's Gloria.
Favorite Choir Memory: Our summer tour to Scotland and Ireland.
Favorite Food: Pizza
Pets? None
What is a fun fact about yourself? I'm an avid golfer.
Why did you join FCS? Looking for a new group as my other choir folded
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauredson. Beautiful and hypnotic piece of music
Favorite Choir Memory: Performing Hollywood goes Choral
Favorite Food: Pizza
Pets? Cat named Larry
What is a fun fact about yourself? Amateur Genealogist who hopes to make it my retirement job when the time comes
Why did you join FCS? Wanted to learn more singing so I can contribute to my church
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Faure requiem, my very first out of comfort zone song
Favorite Choir Memory: 60th anniversary concert
Favorite Food: Homemade Japanese food
Pets? Not now I am enjoying being an empty nester
What is a fun fact about yourself? Was a voiceover for pink ranger in Japan when I was 19 years old…..
Why did you join FCS? I missed making music in my life and while I had encouraged all of my children to learn and play music, I realized I was not investing in myself. After attending my six-year-old daughter's choir performance the conductor shared with the crowd that Fairfax Choral Society had choirs for all ages, even adults. I thought, hey, I'm an adult! I qualify! I knew nothing more about FCS - no idea what we sung, who I might meet, or how talented the members were. I just thought, why not try?
Favorite piece to sing, and why?:
Favorite Choir Memory: Spending 20 minutes before the show trying to learn to tie my bowtie. Thanks Wes!
Favorite Food:
Pets?
What is a fun fact about yourself? I'm an unprofessional beekeeper. I keep the bees at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. You can buy the honey in the gift shop. Some say it's the best honey. You'll have to decide for yourself.
Why did you join FCS? I like to sing
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: So many, Handel at Christmas
Favorite Choir Memory: Enjoying a beer after our concert
Favorite Food: Pizza
Pets? Dog
What is a fun fact about yourself? I like to bbq and smoke meats
Why did you join FCS? For vocal and social harmonies :)
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: In the car, with all the windows down!
Favorite Choir Memory: Traveling to New York City with the Master Singers to sing at Carnegie Hall
Favorite Food: Crab rangoons
Pets? Dog & 3 snakes
What is a fun fact about yourself? My favorite way to relax is to go paddle boarding!
Why did you join FCS? I played in a joint concert (French horn) with the Cathedral Brass and FCS. I was so blown away by the talent and the music they were singing that I knew I wanted to be a part of it!
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Rutter's The Lord Bless You and Keep You - it was the first "real" choral piece I sang when I was in college.
Favorite Choir Memory: When I was in college, I joined a church choir made up of church members and students. I do remember singing Rutter's The Lord Bless You and Keep You. That was my first real choir I sang in.
Favorite Food: avocados
Pets? I have two black and white tuxedo cats (brother and sister) named Oreo and Ella.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I love to knit!
Why did you join FCS? I missed singing with a group after I graduated college and wanted to get back into it post-covid.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?:
Favorite Choir Memory:
Favorite Food:
Pets? I have a bunny and a pet bird. I sing to my bird every day, (and yes, she sings with me!)
What is a fun fact about yourself? I crocheted the cardigan I am wearing in my profile picture! It’s based on one of my favorite cozy video games, Stardew Valley.
Why did you join FCS? I joined a charity choir living in Cambodia in 2023 and it was such a special community that made and performed absolutely beautiful music under the direction of the incomparable Miwako Fujiwara. Returning back home to Fairfax, I was exited for the opportunity to meet and make a new community- and get back to the singing that always brings me so much joy.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: I’ve really loved learning the music for the upcoming High Lonesome Mass.
Favorite Choir Memory: As a new member, the memories are recent- but at the welcome bbq potluck, the acapella ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was beautiful and impressive!
Favorite Food: Friend plantains with refried beans and crema.
Pets? N/A
What is a fun fact about yourself? I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua
Why did you join FCS? I sang in chorus in a small high school where I grew up a bit north of NYC. I loved it then and really missed it. Once my 3 kids got a bit older and I had time to do my own activities (instead of constantly driving theem around and volunteering at their activities), I joined SC after being encouraged to by a fellow friend and singer. I'm still with FCS and still love it!
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Mozart's Requiem - I sang it in high school and the Symphonic Chorus was performing it the year I joined - it was meant to be!
Favorite Choir Memory: Our trip to Scotland and Ireland in 2024. I had so much fun touring and performing (and hitting the pubs ;-) ) with these singers! Can't wait for another international trip!
Favorite Food: NY pizza
Pets? Two cats - Smokey and Cinders
What is a fun fact about yourself? I am a big Star Wars fan
Why did you join FCS? Wanted to sing challenging music and use my voice more regularly
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: And Mary Pondered - it’s a sacred arrangement of Dvorak’s Song to the Moon from the Rusalka. I love the music, it was arranged for me by a friend, and the text is deeply moving.
After that, Disney songs and 80s power ballads, because they make me happy.
Favorite Choir Memory: Singing Britten’s Ceremony of Carols by candlelight in the gothic chapel on my college campus.
Favorite Food: A perfectly grilled ribeye
Pets? Two dogs - leonbergers.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I named my son after a beer. Sort of.
Why did you join FCS? I missed feeling the collective effervescence of singing in harmony in a group!
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Sleep - Eric Whitacre. It was the hardest piece our high school choir had ever attempted at that point, and we worked so hard and nailed it. I just love how creative he is with dissonance.
Favorite Choir Memory: I only have a few so far, but I loved Voicing night! It was cool to see Pat’s brain work in that way, and all of my fellow Altos were so immediately warm and welcoming!
Favorite Food: Steak (medium rare), Eggs (over easy), and a big slice of crusty sourdough bread with salted butter
Pets? After we got married, my husband told me to pick whether I wanted a puppy or a baby, and I chose the baby I do have a couple of cute dog nieces, though!
What is a fun fact about yourself? I have had over 100 stitches in my body throughout my life and I have some gnarly injury stories I can share (squeamish friends need not apply!)
Why did you join FCS? I love to sing and missed the choir community!
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: I am a fan of Ēriks Ešenvalds work and his piece Only in Sleep (Trinity Te Deum is a close second!) has always been one of my favorites - everything from the lyrics/narrative to the overlap and harmony across the voices/soloist just invokes a full body experience leaving you reminiscing and reflecting on life. Hard to place feelings into word, so you're just going to have to listen!
Favorite Choir Memory: Oh gosh, there's too many to choose from! What comes to mind though was when I got the chance to work with The King Singers as part of the demonstration choir when they came to George Mason. Hearing their process and being able to practice that application in real time was a challenge but extremely transformative in how I approach learning and performing music.
Favorite Food: Pizza (pineapple and jalapeno, to be exact)! Also was my first word (sorry mom and dad!).
Pets? I am a proud dog auntie to Milo, my roommates 7-year old Australian shepherd :)
What is a fun fact about yourself? I have a 3-foot tall stuffed giraffe named Palinka!
Why did you join FCS? To sing with a group with high standards for making music.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Anything Mozart & Tori Amos, they're both rebels.
Favorite Choir Memory: Singing in Italy with my chamber ensemble group during college. We sang in a Neanderthal era cave, yo!
Favorite Food: All of it, except pork.
Pets? Black cat named Miss Yvonne from Pee-Wee's Playhouse.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I'm a published poet, and Best of the Net nominated photographer.
Why did you join FCS? I needed a step up from the chorus I was in. I met two SC members who urged me to audition. I never regretted the move and I made several good friends my first year.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Lately, The Road Home (Stephen Paulus); I crave a repeat of The Armed Man in this age of conflict. And I'd like to sing Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand on more time
Favorite Choir Memory: The people I sing with. Performing at The Capital Fourth with Miss Piggy, John Williams, and Frankie Valli
Favorite Food: Jeni's Splendid or Greater's ice creams - I'm from Ohio
Pets? This is plug for the Feline Foundation, a no kill rescue organization
What is a fun fact about yourself? It's no secret I bleed Scarlet and Gray
Why did you join FCS? I have a lifelong love of singing and have been part of choirs most of my life. I was drawn to FCS because of their mission and history in the area.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Carmina Burana--I love the intensity and drama of the piece.
Favorite Choir Memory: Singing at Carnegie Hall
Favorite Food: Dr. Pepper
Pets? I have a sassy but sweet four year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Winnie.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I'm a big Mets baseball fan and a new and aspiring Mahjong player.
Why did you join FCS? I joined the adult choir right after I started working with the Youth Choirs. I knew a few people who were already singing with the Symphonic Chorus.
Favorite piece to sing, and why?: Hagenberg's Alleluia - It's SO MUCH FUN!
Favorite Choir Memory: Hanging out with choir members outside of rehearsal either at a restaurant, grabbing a drink, or in Ireland and Scotland!
Favorite Food: I'm an equal opportunity food liker.
Pets? I have two dogs, Rosie and Bexley. They are mixed breeds, but mostly Staffordshire Terriers. They are Brindle.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I am a native of Kansas City (Go Chiefs!!!), but have lived in the DC area now for 25 years.

