Delphine Joyce Fahringer

FAHRINGER, Delphine Joyce Was born on November 24, 1935 in Los Angeles, California. She was the daughter of Theodore Pierce and Marguerite Inez Ellison Pierce. Delphine called Glendale her home, she sang in various vocal ensembles, and played the violin at Glendale High School and Glendale City College. Delphine met her husband-to-be James Fahringer in the Chamber Singers at Cal State L.A. and they were married on August 9, 1959. Delphine studied opera at L.A. City College, Cal State L.A. and USC. Her voice teachers included Hugo Strelitzer and her mentor Metropolitan Opera soprano Ruth Miller Chamlee. Encouraged by Mrs. Chamlee, she auditioned for the National Association of Teachers of Singing and won the award of "NATS Singer of the Year" for the Western United States. Delphine taught voice privately and was on the music faculty of the University of LaVerne for many years. Delphine's long connection with the Claremont Symphony Orchestra included several solo appearances and twenty years as Manager of the Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra. Delphine's professional career included soprano soloist positions at St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, First Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills, and Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona. She is survived by her husband, James; her aunt, Lucille Ellison; and her cousins, Barbara Ellison Johanson, Robert, George, Ruth, and Richard Ellison. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First United Methodist Church in Glendale or the Claremont Symphony Orchestra Association. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2008 in the Mortuary Building at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, Glendale; funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2008 at First United Methodist Church - 134 N. Kenwood St., Glendale, CA 91206.