New Music Director

Last fall, Fauntleroy Church UCC launched a nationwide search for a new music director. This resulted in the hiring of Zachary Fitzgerald—an acclaimed vocalist, conductor, and teacher who is now completing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at the University of Washington. He presented his doctoral solo recital on May 31, showcasing his tenor voice with German lieder as well as songs in Italian and English. At UW, Zachary taught private and group lessons for both music majors and non-majors and assisted with opera workshops. Opera and musical theatre are two of his passions.

Zachary holds two master’s degrees from Kent State University—one in Choral Conducting, the other in Vocal Performance. He served as Director of Music Ministries and Choir Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent, Ohio, has held numerous positions as a vocalist and music teacher, as has played oboe, English horn, and saxophone in several orchestras and ensembles. Learn more at ZacharyFitzgeraldTenor.com.

Zachary directed one of our Chancel Choir rehearsals this spring while the hiring committee was still in deliberation. “We loved Zach’s ability to convey vocal techniques for better breath control and sound,” said Sarah Finney, who sings in the alto section and coordinated the 11-month search and hiring processes. “We also loved his sense of humor and look forward to really fun rehearsals!”

“I want my choirs to know that I am there for them every step of the way, and that I care about their vocal development,” said Zachary. “I want them to have the voice they always dreamed of having all while doing it in a space that fulfills their soul.”

Throughout the summer, Zachary will coordinate music for Sunday services and plan for the coming year. Chancel choir rehearsals start in late summer. Fauntleroy Church has several additional ensembles, including a ukulele band that meets in homes throughout the summer and at the church starting this fall, a seasonal Handbell Choir and occasional children’s music groups.

“We’re also gauging interest in exploring more children’s music opportunities at Fauntleroy Church,” said Senior Pastor Leah Atkinson Bilinski. “Besides musical education, choir singing fosters a sense of teamwork, collaboration, and belonging, and builds self-esteem. I encourage families to give this some thought and get in touch with us for more information.”

Fauntleroy Church is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ. For more information, visit fauntleroyucc.org. E-mail all inquiries about the music program to zach@fauntleroyucc.org.

Musical joy = The DAM Ukulele Band

If you like to sing and make music, please consider spending a Thursday evening with the DAM Ukulele Band. (DAM is the acronym for “Duey Auringer Memorial” – we named our Ukulele Band after an affable and much-loved church member, Duey, who learned a few chords before he joined the heavenly ukulele band.)

This group of musicians has expanded over the past year or two into a dedicated band of friends, singing and playing our way through an hour of music from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm every Thursday evening before our choir rehearsal begins at 7:30.

You don’t have to know HOW to play the ukulele, but you will need a ukulele to play.  We provide music – we have assembled three volumes of our favorite songs – and you can follow along, playing the chords you know, and adding new ones as you continue to practice.  If you don’t know any chords, we will teach you the C chord to start, and you can follow along on the song charts and play the C chord every time it comes around.

It's that easy.  Before you know it, with regular attendance, you will have learned dozens of chords!

This group is SO incredibly enthusiastic, that for the first time this summer, they didn’t miss a single Thursday.  During the summer break, we played in one another’s back yards and enjoyed the songs of summer, and every week was fabulous.

If you’re not sure that you want to join us, but you’d like to come and listen and experience the DAM Ukulele Band for yourself, you are most WELCOME to drop by and listen.  We will return to the Sanctuary this coming Thursday, August 31, at 6:15 pm.

And a final note, the DAM Ukulele Band is comprised not only of ukulele players, but people bring their banjos, guitars and banjoleles too.  Interested? Please come and check us out.  Bring a friend! Questions? Ask music director Bronwyn Edwards, at 206-255-4590 (text) or sirensongbron@gmail.com (email).