Pride and Tradition

A few weeks ago I attended a beautiful holiday program at Disneyland Park, featuring selected distinguished choirs from the area.  By chance, I sat next to a man who glowed with pride, who told me that he was the director of one of the participating groups. While we waited for the program to begin, I mentioned that choir participation was one of my son's most memorable experiences in high school at Fountain Valley. My new friend and vocal-music-insider was duly impressed, and he raved about the choir's one-of-a-kind reputation.

The choirs recently performed at Orange County Performing Arts Center (OCPAC), joined by 160 FVHS Choir alumni.  Members came from as far as New York City to perform with the program's four directors who built this program to its current position: Tison  (2005-present), Brett Stewart  (2002-2005), Ted Reid (1986-2002) and Dr. Tom Antal (1976-86). The quartet brought down the house with their surprise rendition of "African Noel."

Students of any level of vocal training are welcomed into the choir program, and many achieve considerable skill and experience in the various choir groups. According to Director Kevin Tison, "There is a place in the choir for anyone who wants to participate." Depending on skill, time commitment and dedication; students are placed in one or more of the six choir groups, with upper-level placement requiring audition and performance review. Every choir member puts in hours and hours of work, but the rewards are many for all.

In addition to four concerts performed throughout the year, the choirs travel for exhibition, competition and to explore the cultures and institutions famous for musical importance. FV Choir groups have traveled throughout the United States and Europe, since Tison took the lead six years ago. "We travel regularly throughout the state," he said, "from San Diego to San Francisco, the choir has performed for schools and civic groups." 

In addition, members of the Troubadours performed in Germany and Austria in 2006.  They visited the homelands of the great composers, sang in the large cathedrals, and had the distriction of being the first high school choir to sing in historic  St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. During that life-changing excursion, Tison treated his charges to a taste of the culture associated with classical tradition: After a performance, seven white, horse-drawn carriages arrived to transport the choir members to dinner. White flowers and chocolates awaited them as tribute to a job well done.

In addition to the musical experience, Tison ensures that the students experience the lifestyles of the people in the areas they visit. Students room in local homes, visit museums, tour castles and the local industries where they visit. "The trips help them see the broader aspects of art," he said, "the power of the music can only be understood by studying various art forms.

Other trips have included New York City, Tison's home state of Louisiana, Honolulu, Paris and the French countryside. The group has won national and international awards, and they have been invited to perform in Chicago in March at the conference of the American Choir Directors Association. As one of only four high school choirs selected from a rigorous audition process, Tison considers this the greatest honor a choir could achieve. Hundreds of prominent high school choirs apply each year, submitting an audio-recorded body of work that encompasses three years of choir work. 

The choir plans several performances and fundraising events throughout the year, which are open to the public. Dates are listed at http://fvhsvocalmusic.com.