ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

Children’s Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh (CFC) was established in 1983 initially to support the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural performance of Mahler’s Third Symphony.

Now in its twenty-eighth year, CFC has grown to become one of the nation’s premier children’s choral ensembles, training over 2,000 young voices (and minds) through professional-level choral instruction and performance opportunities. During its 2010/2011 season alone, CFC touched the lives of 175 children residing in nine counties, three states and attending more than 75 different schools.

For the past 25 years, Children’s Festival Chorus has benefited from the skillful, passionate artistic leadership of Christine Jordanoff, professor and Director of Choral Organizations at Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music. Mrs. Jordanoff’s national reputation as an authority in the Kodaly concept of music education and her active participation and leadership in professional education associations has worked to assure the program’s high standards as well as continuity in its instructional staff.

Ms. Jordanoff is assisted by Associate Conductors Lisa Jaworowski and Angela Evans Machi. Both are full-time music educators in area schools and well-versed in CFC’s artistic approach and values.

The chorus serves as a highly-regarded source of performance-ready talent to the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops, the Pittsburgh Opera and the Mendelssohn Choir among others. The Chorus has been seen and heard locally, nationally and internationally.

As an ensemble in residence at Duquesne University, the Children’s Festival Chorus also provides a “living classroom” for Music Education majors. And as a close partner with the region’s schools, CFC serves as valued feeder for teachers and choral instructors seeking to broaden the experience of their gifted and motivated students.