It was inevitable!

Change?  Hmmmm.....

What an exciting time for Gerald and Marlene - after years (well, if you think 65 years counts as enough time - note the sarcasm) of wonderful music making, this team has formally announced that they will both retire at the end of this concert season!

This doesn't mean the end of The Gerald Fagan Singers ... it just means that it will take a turn in its road, with a new Artistic Director and General Manager!

Change is good - but with change comes melancholy - because what we leave behind is a part of ourselves.  I, for one, will miss them!

Do you think Spring is REALLY here?

If one is to believe a furry creature who hails from some small town in Ontario, spring was to have crossed the frigid winter finish line almost two weeks ago.....but alas, he was wrong! 

Spring is the season of rebirth, renewal, regrowth, and all things that probably start with "re".... It is also the wonderful month where we celebrate Easter - not the hopping-down-the-pathway-bunny-kind of Easter, but the kind of Easter in the Christian faith that celebrates the rebirth of Christ.

For the Fagan Singers, the Concert Players Orchestra and Fanshawe Chorus London, it also is a time of reflection when we traditionally perform, on Good Friday, a moving Requiem to remember those who have touched our hearts and souls and who are no longer with us in body.  This year is no different. 

We will gather with four wonderful soloists, on Good Friday where the choirs and orchestra will  perform the most beautiful and moving Agnus Dei by Barber,  followed by Verdi's Requiem.  Although these masterpieces don't perhaps feel like the obvious choices to usher in the new season, I can guarantee that after weeks of rehearsal, and preparation, and the seemily longest winter I can ever remember, that to me and many members of the organization, when the curtain goes down at the end of the night, we will be able to emphatically state that Spring is definitely here!

The Order of Ontario

Surrounded by his family, Gerald Fagan was honoured and inducted into the Order of Ontario.  The appointees to Ontario's highest honour were chosen for their contributions to the arts, justice, science, medicine, history, politics, philanthropy, and the environment.

It was an event that Gerald shared with his wife and partner of almost 50 years, Marlene, and four of his five children; Leslie, Louise, Judy, and Jennifer. Definitely a proud moment for all of the family, and it only would have been better if the youngest of the five Fagan's, Jonathon, had been able to travel from abroad to join in the family pride.

Although the award was presented to Gerald, it must be noted that the support, partnership, and musical genious of Marlene, makes this award a shared and deserved honour. 

No one was prouder of Gerald that day, than Marlene and the bevy of beauties that surrounded him.  This is a moment in our lives that will not be forgotten very quickly and personally, I am grateful for the experience.  Congratulations Dad!  xo

Sharing in the proud moment are Louise, Leslie, Marlene, (Gerald), Jennifer, and Judy

Spring is Springing??

An update....

The beginning of Christmas this past December was marked with the annual Messiah "concert" held at St. Peter's Basilica in London.  "Concert"?  Well...yes! However, for some, the annual Messiah is more than a concert - it marks the beginning of one of the holiest seasons of the year.  Sitting inside the splendour of St. Peter's, the concert realizes the true meaning of Christmas for many. 

And as always, the Fagan Singers, joined by a handful of talented members of Chorus London, did not disappoint!  Each year, I personally leave the concert, thinking that this year was much better than last - and honestly, look forward to the following year.