History

In 1990, FCS launched its youth program to offer high-quality music education and performance opportunities beyond what local schools could provide. Since then, the FCS Youth Choruses have performed on some of the region’s and nation’s most prestigious stages—including Carnegie Hall, the White House, with the National Symphony Orchestra, the American Youth Philharmonic, and in festivals and collaborations across the Washington area. Their repertoire spans classical masterworks, folk traditions, showtunes, and the best of contemporary choral writing for treble and mixed voices.

Recognized with the ArtsFairfax Arts Education Award, FCS is proud to be one of Northern Virginia’s leading programs for young voices. If you love to sing, this is your stage—come add your voice to the music!

The Fairfax Choral Society (FCS) began on October 22, 1962, when 24 dedicated singers gathered at Fairfax High School with one goal: to perform Handel’s Messiah. Under the direction of the late Frederick Wygal, their dream became reality that December with the choir’s first concert.

What started as a single performance quickly grew into something bigger. Through the 1960s and 1970s, the ensemble expanded, performing major choral works and even premiering commissioned pieces. In the early 1980s, the group officially became the Fairfax Choral Society, reorganizing as a Virginia nonprofit. By 1990, a thriving youth program was born, and the original choir took on a new name: the Symphonic Chorus.

Today, the Symphonic Chorus remains at the heart of FCS. With nearly 80 auditioned volunteer singers—ranging in age from college students to lifelong musicians—the ensemble continues to inspire audiences with its artistry and community spirit. The Chorus is led by Artistic Director and Conductor Patrick Vaughn, who first joined as conductor in May 2021 and was appointed Artistic Director in 2024. For more than 60 years, the Fairfax Choral Society has been a cornerstone of choral music in the region—bringing singers together, creating powerful performances, and sharing the joy of music with generations.

Past Directors:

1962 - 1975: Frederick Wygal
1975 - 1991: Robert McCord
1991 - 2017: Douglas Mears
2017 - 2018: Paul Leavitt, interim
2018 - 2021: Thomas Colohan
2021 - Present: Patrick Vaughn