Today the Choral Society of Central Texas and the Choral Society of Fairfax, VA will perform a lunchtime recital at 13:30.
Admission to the recital is included in the usual Cathedral entry fee.
In a harmonious convergence of talent and passion, the Choral Society of Central Texas and the Choral Society of Fairfax, VA join forces for a tour destined to captivate hearts and minds alike. From the rolling hills of Texas to the historic streets of Fairfax, their voices merge in a symphony of unity, celebrating the beauty of diversity through song. Together, they weave a musical tapestry that transcends geographical boundaries, uniting audiences in a shared experience of joy and harmony. This tour stands as a testament to the transformative power of music, forging connections that resonate long after the final note has faded.
The combined efforts of the Central Texas Choral Society (USA-TX) and the Fairfax Choral Society (USA-VA) are excited to bring you an eclectic program primarily from composers born in the United States including works by René Clausen, Dan Forrest, Elaine Hagenberg, Moses Hogan, Stephen Paulus and Randall Thompson to name a few.
Dr. David Guess (CTCS) and Mr. Patrick Vaughn (FCS) have known each other for over 30 years and have often talked about combining forces to spread the joy of choral music overseas. This collaboration is the result of over two years of planning and rehearsal.
The Central Texas Choral Society is an auditioned community chorus in the Central Texas area. CTCS evolved out of the Waco Civic Chorus, which was active from the late 1970’s until 2003. Former Baylor School of Music Professor Robert Young was the founding director of the chorus. Dr. Young and the original members of the chorus saw the need to have a community choral ensemble and laid the groundwork for what today is CTCS. Dr. Donald Balmos, then Director of the Department of Fine Arts at McLennan Community College, took over the responsibilities of leadership and musical direction in the mid 80’s. During his tenure, the chorus performed many of the standard works for chorus and orchestra. Current director, Dr. David Guess, sang with the chorus in the 1990’s and took over the baton as president and musical director in 2012.
Dr. Guess serves as artistic director of the Central Texas Choral Society and has a private studio of over 30 voice students. He has served on the music faculties at Baylor University and McLennan Community College and for 9 years was Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Dr. Guess holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Texas at Austin; a Master of Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma; and a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in church music degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
The FCS Symphonic Chorus is comprised of approximately 60 singers who audition annually. 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.”
In May 2022, Mr. Vaughn was named the Conductor of the Symphonic Chorus of the Fairfax Choral Society, the founding chorus since 1962.. Since the summer of 2005, Patrick Vaughn has served the Fairfax Choral Society as the Director of Youth Choruses, overseeing all performing ensembles and over 200+ students. He also is the Conductor for the Master Singers, the advanced high school ensemble for the Youth Division. Outside of FCS, he is the Director of Choirs at Annandale High School (2016), where he oversees a program of over 150 students and he also serves as Director of Worship at Annandale United Methodist Church (2004) in Annandale, Virginia, where he oversees musicians in eight vocal and instrumental ensembles.
Accompanying the ensemble is Jane Moore Kaye, a native of Kansas who has been playing piano and organ in the greater Washington, D.C. area as a collaborative pianist, organist, teacher and adjudicator. She regularly accompanies area city, district and state choral festivals and in the community, is the organist at Providence Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Virginia where she accompanies the Sanctuary Choir and the Music & Arts at Providence Chorus. Mrs. Kaye has been accompanying the choirs in the Fairfax Choral Society for over a decade.
