Arlington junior high chorus to reunite after 50 years

By John Davis

POUGHKEEPSIE — Former Arlington students who sang a
half-century ago in the junior high school chorus will be reuniting
today to hold a sing-along with their former director, John
LaFalce, 84.

He is flying from his home in Mesa, Ariz., for the reunion at
Arlington Middle School — formerly the junior high school
building.

“It’s like a dream,” LaFalce said. “I can’t believe it’s
happening. Some of my kids are going to be 60 and 65 years
old.”

Bill Dederer, 66, of Rotonda, Fla., is one of those “kids.” He
sang tenor in the former Arlington Junior High School chorus in
1957-60 while attending seventh through ninth grades there.

“The whole point is to have fun,” Dederer said. “It’s not going
to be a performance.”

LaFalce was music director in the Arlington district from 1955
through 1982. He taught music classes as well as directed the
junior high school chorus.

Throughout the years, his students sang at numerous service
clubs and senior citizen homes in Dutchess County. A highlight was
a performance at the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows,
Queens.