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In 1973, Jocelyn Basse created the
Children of Peace Choristers to fulfill
the need for an extra-curricular choral
opportunity for area youth. After more
than a decade of performing, the growing
choir was incorporated and renamed the
Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. Following
in Ms. Basse’s footsteps was Twila
Miller Magsig and later Fred Meads.
Today, the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir
is known as the premiere children’s
choir in Northeast Indiana.
In its 33rd year, the FWCC has expanded
to 315 singers from over 85 schools.
FWCC members
not only gain exceptional music skills,
but learn about history, culture,
foreign language, poetry, self-esteem,
team-building and leadership. Singers
are brought together from numerous
backgrounds to achieve a common
goal—artistic and educational
excellence.
The FWCC’s yearly schedule includes five
season concerts: the Harvest and Rejoice
Concerts, the Young Artists Concert and
the Spring Concert, and the Young
People’s Concert. The FWCC also performs
yearly in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s
Holiday Pops,
the Fort Wayne Ballet’s
Nutcracker.
Every year, the FWCC performs the
National Anthem at Fort Wayne Wizards
and Fort Wayne Komets games.
FWCC members have participated in
several historical events, such as the
Olympic Torch Lighting Ceremony, the
Allen County Courthouse Rededication,
the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Rededication, the Convention of Indiana
Associations of Cities and Towns, and
the Hamilton Statue Ceremony and Song.
Members of the choir have also performed
at several American Choral Directors
Association Conventions and Indiana
Music
Educators Conventions.
The FWCC has had the esteemed pleasure
in performing such musical works as
Carmina Burana
with the Heartland Chamber Chorale,
Symphony 1997
by Tan Dun
with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and
Bach’s
St. Matthew Passion
with the Bach Collegium. Other
professional collaborations include the
African American History Museum, the
Civic Theatre, FAME Festival, and the
IPFW Choir and Orchestra.
Every year, the FWCC commissions and
debuts original music created by
nationally known choral composers. These
composers include Jean Berger, Paul
Carey, Rollo Dilworth, Keith Hampton,
Ken Medema, Nick Page, and Andrew
Carter.
The FWCC tours every season, expanding
their reach throughout North America and
beyond. These tours include the
Shrewsbury International Music Festival
in England, the Pacific International
Children’s Choir Festival in Oregon, the
Pacific Rim International Festival in
Hawaii, the North Carolina Summer
Institute of Choral Arts, the Youth
Sing! Festivals in Toronto and Stratford
Canada, and the New York City Carnegie
Hall tour.
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