By Renee Larr
Fishers Music Works has provided the Fishers community with several musical ensembles for years. They’ve all been instrumentally-based which left those who love to sing without an outlet for their hobby. That’s all about to change. Marc Feeney, vice president at FMW, noticed a need for an adult community choir.
“FMWs has three large ensembles and several smaller ones already. But, they’re all very instrumentally based – horns, strings, that sort of thing. I came on, and I’m someone who did a little of both in college–trumpet and voice. I happen to notice we didn’t have any vocal ensembles. We did a huge Christmas extravaganza last year at Holy Spirit at Geist. We brought in some other vocalists. I thought this would be a great opportunity to farm our own,” Feeney said.
Feeney was able to convince the members of FMW of the need in Fishers for the adult community choir. He quickly began the work of rounding up members. Connie LoRocco, Lantern Road Elementary School music teacher, was brought in to choose the music and direct.
“It is very strange that we have this large of a community, but don’t have anything for people that love to sing. I know one member is coming because her church did away with having a choir and she wanted to sing,” said LoRocco.
Feeney seconds her sentiment.
“We have so many artistic groups for our kids. And, our schools are so good at fostering the performing arts with the kids, but I feel like some of the parents maybe get left out in the mix,” he said.
The group is intended to be a fun outlet for those with love to sing.
“This group is really intended for one group of people only, and that’s people who love to sing and who miss it. Maybe they did it in the past, and just haven’t had the chance since they were in high school or college. Maybe they’re people who have been told by their family they have a really good voice, but they don’t have any way to validate that or, for that matter, maybe they have a good voice but it’s not good enough to sing solos so they want to be in a group of people. Our number one rule is if you stop having fun you’re no longer welcome,” Feeney said.
The group rehearses on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy. They will perform a holiday concert at Noon, Dec. 5. at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy. The group has hopes to perform in other areas within Fishers as well.
“We’ve already talked about performing in some of the retirement villages here in the Fishers area just as a way to get out, sing, and share the love of music with the folks who can’t really get around as much as they wish they could,” Feeney said.
He is hoping the group expands in the next year. The group is not only looking for singers but for members of the community who would like to help on the administrative side.
“Obviously, we want singers first, but as the group gets larger we’re going to have some folks who want to help with that kind of thing. As the end of 2015 hits, I believe we’ll have 50 or more members. I believe by the time we have our one year anniversary, we’ll be 100 strong,” Feeney said.
For more information on the group or to join, visit the Fishers Community Chorus Facebook page.
Adult Choir Premiere
Location: Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy 10029 E. 126th St., Fishers
Time: Dec. 5, 12 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
Chorus Director: Connie LaRocco
Songs:
- Getting in the Mood for Christmas
- The Little Drummer Boy
- The Twelve Days of Christmas
- Deck the Hall
- Jingle Bell Dash
- Baby Born in Bethlehem
