FVHS has had the extraordinary privilege of having four phenomenal directors over the last 35 years. Thanks to these special people for helping build our program to what it is today!
Dr. Tom Antal – 1976-1986
Tom Antal was the Vocal Music Director at Fountain Valley High School from July 1976 through June 1986. During those years he led the development of the VMPA, the concert series, the Pops Concert and Troubadour Show, the Major Work concert, Baron Choir, Les Chanteurs, the Vocal Music Solo Competition, the Vocal Music Awards, and the annual concert tours. The choirs traveled to and performed in Washington D.C., New York, Phoenix, Seattle, Vancouver, and Mexico City.
In 1986 Mr. Antal left the program to earn a doctorate degree in Educational Administration at USC and has subsequently been an Assistant Principal at Marina, Fountain Valley, and Edison High Schools, as well as Principal at Estancia High School from 1999-2006. In October 2006 Dr. Antal was appointed to his current position as Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
Dr. Tom and Joyce Anne Antal (a former VMPA Board Member) have lived in Fountain Valley continuously since 1976, and they are most grateful that the program has thrived under the leadership of Dr. Antal’s three successors who were the vocal music teachers at Fountain Valley High School for their three children Stephanie, Ryan and Cristen.
Ted Reid – 1986-2002
Ted Reid is a graduate of USC where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in choral conducting. He taught choral music for five years before arriving at FVHS. During his time at FVHS, the choral program grew from three choirs to five. The choirs traveled regularly to perform in great venues in places like New York City, Washington D.C., New Orleans, San Francisco, Hawaii, and more. Concert Choir was invited to sing at the Western Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association in 1992, and in 1996, both Concert Choir and Troubadours were privileged with an invitation to sing at the ACDA Western Division Convention. While teaching at FVHS, Mr. Reid also taught and guest lectured at several colleges and universities in Orange County, wrote articles for professional journals, and published a set of curriculum materials designed for use in the choral classroom.
Mr. Reid reflects: “1986-2002 were sixteen very gratifying years for this link in the chain of directors who have had the privilege of working with the wonderful students, staff and parents of Fountain Valley High School. So many fond memories. . . so much valuable growth. . . so many life-altering experiences. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t reflect on those cherished years in Room 301. As I write these words, I feel tremendous gratitude for the good fortune that is mine to have those remarkable associations. The tradition of excellence established by Dr. Thomas Antal has sustained through the decades and is reflected in tonight’s special event under Mr. Tison’s very capable leadership.”
Brett Stewart – 2002-2005
Brett Stewart is the Founding Music Director of the Mormon Choral Organizations of America, including the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization and the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization in Arizona. He did his bachelor’s studies in piano performance at Brigham Young University, his master’s studies in choral conducting at California State University, Long Beach, and his doctoral studies in choral conducting at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.
Stewart was raised in Fountain Valley and attended Fountain Valley High School, singing in the choirs under director Ted Reid. Ted Reid’s predecessor, Tom Antal, was the FVHS administrator who worked miracles with Stewart’s schedule, making it possible for him to sing in both Concert Choir and Troubadours for four years. It was Mr. Reid’s love and passion for choral music that inspired Stewart to pursue studies and a career in choral conducting. He returned to Fountain Valley High School as choir director when Reid retired from that position, and while directing the choirs at FVHS, he invited his CSULB schoolmate and colleague Kevin Tison to accompany the choirs. Under Mr. Stewart’s direction, with Tison at the piano, the Concert Choir took 1st place and the Troubadours took 2nd place in the Golden State South Choral Competition. After three years at FVHS, Stewart left to pursue doctoral studies, and Mr. Tison replaced him as the FVHS choir director.
Brett Stewart and his wife Mindy currently reside in Fountain Valley with their five children Brooke, Landon, Chelsea, Clark, and Lilly.