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Fairfield Native Hopes New Orchestra Strikes The Right Chord

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Fairfield native Darren Ziller had this nagging idea that kept coming to him in his Manhattan work cubicle: He should start an orchestra. 

Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Fairfield native Darren Ziller is scheduled to have what he hopes to be the first of many concerts of the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield on Aug. 8.

Photo Credit: Contributed

“The idea had been ruminating in my head over the last year,” Ziller told the Daily Voice on Wednesday. “I figured, well, OK, I’ll start an orchestra.”

Ziller knew he needed to find musicians as well as a venue. A 2009 graduate of Fairfield Warde High School, Ziller turned toward his hometown network of musicians for instrumentalists. 

Next, he needed a venue. With a small budget — zero dollars — venues that charged rental fees were out of the question.

He turned to local churches. But there, too, were challenges. Many churches didn’t have altars large enough to host an orchestra. But the First Congregational Church of Fairfield turned out to be just the right size.

“The altar is just big enough,” Ziller said, adding that the church has been very supportive of his venture.

And Ziller's dream is coming true. The new group, the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield, will hold its first concert next month. All proceeds will go to the Emma Jane von Euler Scholarship Fund, in memory of Ziller's friend and fellow flute player who passed away in 2009. 

The fund awards a scholarship each year to one graduating senior at Fairfield Warde High School and one at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

While at Warde, Ziller played in wind ensemble orchestra, pit orchestra, men’s choir and jazz ensemble. He also performed semi-professionally with jazz groups throughout Fairfield County and the tri-state area.

After graduating from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2013, Ziller went on to study orchestral conducting in Paris through the European American Musical Alliance. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Met Opera and other well-known venues.

For the Chamber Orchestra of Fairfield, Ziller said he wanted to choose pieces that would be familiar to his audiences. He also said he wanted to highlight the flute soloist, Adrianne Greenbaum, who taught Ziller and von Euler.

The orchestra is scheduled to play “Mozart Overture to Don Giovanni,” “Mozart Flute Concerto #2 in D Major” and “Beethoven Symphony #1” in that debut concert. 

The 24-member orchestra consists of everyone from high school students to experienced musicians, Ziller said. He hopes that the orchestra will play more than just one concert.

A $10 donation is suggested at the door. The concert begins at the church at 5 p.m. Aug. 8. The First Congregational Church of Fairfield is located at 148 Beach Road. 

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