The FCS Youth Choruses, conducted by Patrick Vaughn, Caroline Desmond, and Butterfly Chong provide singers in grades K-12 the opportunity to expand their vocal experience in an auditioned choral program. This year, our Youth Choruses total over 140 singers in four performing groups. The FCS Youth Choruses have sung for choral festivals, schools, church concert series, with the National Symphony Orchestra and the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, at the White House, and in collaboration with other youth choruses throughout the Washington area. Their repertoire includes classical, folk, and the finest contemporary compositions for treble and mixed voices.

Douglas Mears, Artistic Director

For 27 years, Douglas Mears has been instrumental, through his inspiring musical leadership, in bringing the Fairfax Choral Society to the forefront of Washington choruses. He joined FCS in 1980 as accompanist, shortly thereafter became Associate Director, and was named Artistic Director in 1991.

Dr. Mears completed his Bachelor’s and Masters degrees at the Juilliard School in New York City in four years of study, earned a doctorate of organ performance from The Catholic University of America, and received a diploma from the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France, after studying with Nadia Boulanger. In 1991 he earned a second doctorate in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, under Donald Neuen.