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Celebrating The Fairfax Choral Society.
Enriching lives through the performance, education, and appreciation of choral art.
With a legacy stretching back to 1962, the Fairfax Choral Society, a non-profit public charity, enriches lives through the performance, education, and appreciation of choral art. With nine ensembles and the opportunity to join skill-appropriate musicianship classes, FCS is one of the largest choral groups in Northern Virginia and the only organization providing opportunities to 350-plus choral singers from preschool through adult. Our vision is a world where choral music uplifts and inspires all people and unites communities.
The FCS Symphonic Chorus, comprised of approximately 40 volunteers who audition annually, is conducted by Director Patrick Vaughn. The Symphonic Chorus has received rave reviews for its performance of choral masterworks in collaboration with the Fairfax Symphony, Cathedral Choral Society, Choral Arts Society, National Symphony Orchestra, City of Fairfax Band, and other arts organizations in the region. The Washington Post has described the FCS Chorus as “…confident and polished…this chorus produced waves of gorgeous tones and a rich tapestry of color…the effect of some very skillful conducting.”
The FCS Vocal Arts Ensemble is an adult chorus that began its second season in 2019-2020. Under the direction of the FCS Artist Director Michael Ehrlich, this ensemble will perform a variety of genres to include traditional choral literature, American folksongs and spirituals, music of different cultures, vocal jazz and Broadway. Along with bringing choral music to the community, the ensemble will embrace the true meaning of community by seeking diversity in its make up and in its repertoire. Additionally the ensemble will envelop all elements of our community to foster inclusiveness, to help those in need, and to share our love of the choral arts.
The FCS Youth Choruses, under the direction of Patrick Vaughn, Michelle McCarten, Kristen Jorde, Caroline Crocker, and Miranda Lansberry, provide singers ages five to nineteen the opportunity to expand their vocal experience in an auditioned choral program. Almost 250 singers participate in musicianship classes and performing ensembles at two campuses located in Annandale and Centreville. The FCS Youth Choruses have sung for choral festivals, schools, church concert series, with the National Symphony Orchestra and the American Youth Philharmonic, at Carnegie Hall, at the White House, and in collaboration with other youth choruses throughout the Washington area. Their repertoire includes classical, folk, and the finest contemporary compositions for treble and mixed voices. FCS was honored by the Arts Council of Fairfax County with the 2016 Arts Education Award for its outstanding music education program.
