This year marks the 15th anniversary of Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts), the Winter Park-based nonprofit that maintains a year-round schedule of music concerts, theatrical performances, educational initiatives and other forms of cultural connection.
To celebrate, the organization is doing what any popular act would do when taking a victory lap: revisiting their greatest hits. Dreaming Together at Northland Church in Longwood will resurrect some of the most popular material that the organization’s 400-voice community choir—the largest in Central Florida—has performed over a decade and a half of existence.
The idea is also to salute the choir for its pivotal role as CFCArts’ founding program—its formation being the proverbial “let’s put on a show” moment that started it all. Featured numbers will run the gamut from such classical pieces as Carl Orff’s ominous “O Fortuna” to the familiar big-screen balladry of “Over the Rainbow.”
“We wanted to represent our full history, so favorite selections from across all 15 years were considered,” says Justin Muchoney, executive director and artistic director of CFCArts. “Our choir members got to vote on some of the pieces as well. And the overarching theme will be celebrating community and what’s possible when we all dream together.”
There’ll also be a few brand-new numbers, adds Muchoney, but they’ll have a retrospective aspect as well, given the way in which their thematic content “shines a spotlight on our story, members and impact.” Instrumental backup will be supplied by an orchestra that consists of more than 50 players.
The majority of the concert will be under the direction of Brandon Fender, a founding member of CFCArts and its director of choral programs. Muchoney, who helped determine the overall creative direction of the program, will conduct a few pieces as well.
“Everyone at CFCArts is committed to making our communities more vibrant and creative and helping people feel more deeply connected to the people around them,” says Muchoney. “We always consider our members and our audience when selecting music for our concerts, and we’re confident there is truly something for everyone in this celebration.”
Northland Church is located at 522 Dog Track Road, Longwood. For more information, call or visit the website.
