Delphine Fahringer
Vocal performer, youth orchestra manager

At a very young age, Delphine Joyce Fahringer began singing with her mother at her childhood home in Glendale. From these early musical days, a passion was ignited that was to endure for a lifetime.

Ms. Fahringer, a prolific soloist and 20-year manager of the Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra, died in Los Angeles on January 28, 2008. She was 72.

Ms. Fahringer was born in Los Angeles on November 24, 1935, the daughter of Theodore Pierce and Marguerite Inez Ellison Pierce. Along with the family singing she enjoyed as a young girl, she also sang in various vocal ensembles and played the violin at Glendale High School and Glendale City College. As a member of the “Nitroettes,” she marched with the Glendale High School Band in the Rose Parade.

Finding it delightful to attend Glendale City College, after completing the standard two years, Ms. Fahringer continued on for a third, taking courses for pleasure and singing in the choir. After this, it was on to California State University, Los Angeles where she earned a credential and a bachelor’s degree in primary education. Later in life, she completed a master’s degree in reading and music at the University of La Verne.

Launching the teaching component of her career after becoming credentialed, Ms. Fahringer taught for a year, during which she decided to become more serious about furthering her vocal career. Familiar with LA City College’s outstanding opera program, she began studying there, as well as at the University of Southern California, advancing her vocal talent under teachers such as Hugo Strelitzer and, her mentor, Metropolitan Opera soprano Ruth Miller Chamlee.

Encouraged by Ms. Chamlee, Ms. Fahringer auditioned for the National Association of Teachers of Singing and subsequently won the “NATS Singer of the Year” award for the Western United States. NATS presented Ms. Fahringer in her debut recital in Hollywood. In addition to her performances in California, her solo performing took her to over a dozen states in the US. She was especially proud to join her husband in a vocal duet recital as one of his requirements leading to his doctorate at USC.

Among other productions, Ms. Fahringer sang leading roles in “The Marriage of Figaro,” “The Telephone,” von Einem’s “The Trial,” “Peter Grimes,” “Tales of Hoffmann” and “Der Rosenkavalier.” During her professional career, she also sang as soprano soloist at St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, First Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills and Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona.

It was while singing in the Chamber Singers at Cal State LA that Ms. Fahringer met her husband-to-be, James Fahringer. This group of 17 singers produced 4 happy marriages. Ms. Fahringer often said, “We had fun making music together.” The couple was married on August 9, 1959 in the First United Methodist Church in Glendale.         From the mid-60s to 1976, Ms. Fahringer taught voice at the University of La Verne. In addition, she simultaneously taught private voice lessons, continuing this even after leaving the faculty of ULV.

For many years, Ms. Fahringer enjoyed a connection with the Claremont Symphony Orchestra as a soloist. Based on this association with the CSO, she was asked by the orchestra to manage the Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra, which ranges from 70 to 100 members depending on the season. Consenting, Ms. Fahringer agreed to manage the CYSO for one year. This endeavor, ultimately, lasted for 20 years.

“This was something she thoroughly enjoyed,” said Mr. Fahringer, one of the CYSO conductors. “She loved working with children and young people. A number of people on the youth symphony team would mention how much she enjoyed the students and enjoyed the work. And if you’re going to work at something for that long, you better enjoy it.”

Among many other noteworthy accomplishments as a CSO affiliate, Ms. Fahringer organized a performance partnership between the orchestra and the Motown group “Spectrum.” Listening to this group in Las Vegas 3 nights in a row, Ms. Fahringer and her husband approached the group, asking if they were interested in performing with the Claremont Symphony Orchestra. Acting as the producer of this special performance, Ms. Fahringer and others worked diligently to arrange the production. According to Mr. Fahringer, the performances with Spectrum were “very, very successful.” After an inaugural performance with CSO, due to Ms. Fahringer’s dedication to making it happen, Spectrum went on to perform with other orchestras throughout the country. And, as the head of Spectrum wrote, “Blame it on Delphine.”

“She thoroughly enjoyed life,” her husband commented. “She was a very bubbly person.”

Beyond her passion for music that created a lifetime of singing, performing, teaching and managing, Ms. Fahringer found relaxation in traveling and swimming.

Ms. Fahringer is survived by her husband, James Fahringer of La Verne; by her aunt, Lucille Ellison of Northridge; and by her cousins, Barbara Ellison Johanson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Robert Ellison of Northridge, George Ellison of Glendale, Ruth Ellison of Santa Paula and Richard Ellison of Chico.

Services for Ms. Fahringer were held on February 9, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church in Glendale. Interment took place at Forest Lawn, Glendale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 134 N. Kenwood, Glendale, CA 91206; or the Claremont Symphony Orchestra Association, P.O. Box 698, Claremont, CA 91711. Persons making contributions to the symphony or the youth symphony orchestra will be listed in each program during the season.