Music at First Parish

Music is an integral and essential part of the life and worship of First Parish. The program aims at diversity in repertoire, a high degree of community participation, and the highest standards of performance. For First Parish, music is far more than beautification, decoration, ornamentation or background. It is a powerful social cohesive, a proclamation of common identity, and, above all, something that is uplifting and that allows us a glimpse of eternity. Music also has an important role in the unity, ecumenism, mission, community, and pastoral life of the church.

We use two hymnals: Singing the Living Tradition, and the hymnal supplement, Singing the Journey. There are at least three congregational hymns each Sunday. In addition to the prelude and postlude, there is music at the offertory and an interlude after the meditation each week.

If you are interested in joining any of the music programs listed below, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Music, Tom Berryman via email: music@uuframingham.org .

Music highlights from the 2011-12 season:

• CABARET NIGHT
The Parish Choir sponsored a very popular Cabaret Night in January 2011 benefitting the Parish Service Trip to New Orleans in 2012. The evening featured vocal, instrumental, handbell and choral music, jokes, monologues, food and fun. Cabaret showcased members and friends, youth and adult, in a wide variety of offerings.

• MADRIGAL FEAST The Parish Choir sponsored a return of the Madrigal Feast from over ten years ago in December 2011. The two night run of this popular event also benefitted the Parish Service Trip to New Orleans in 2012. This major production demonstrated outstanding cooperation between numbers of First Parish groups and individuals. Beautiful costuming, musical performance, acting, script writing, decoration, food preparation and service all came together for a very satisfying set of performances. A testament to First Parish talent and community!

The Parish Choir

The Parish Choir and four professional section leaders provide significant musical leadership for our worship services on most Sundays. The Choir rehearses regularly on three Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The membership includes singers of high school age and adults. Some singing or musical experience is preferred for membership in the Parish Choir.

Our four professional section leaders, Kathryn McKellar (soprano), Sarah Kornfeld (alto), Stephen Chrzan (tenor) and Michael Bunting (baritone) bring an important level of support and leadership to the Parish Choir, providing skills that our members can depend on in rehearsal and in performance. Their contribution as and ensemble and individually as soloists allows the Parish Choir to perform at a high level. Parish Choir members may participate in regular musicianship training, offered before Wednesday evening rehearsals.

The Choir performs a wide variety of music, styles and genre. During the current season we’ve included Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia, major works by Haydn, Bach, Mozart, Brahms and Handel, a cappella pop music, Renaissance motets, brand new choral music by UU composers, Gregorian Chant, and contemporary settings of traditional and non-traditional texts. We strive to communicate through well rehearsed, beautiful singing. We believe that our collaborative work makes a strong statement and lifts our community. Consider adding your voice to our collective expression.

The Handbell Choir

The Handbell Choir, directed by Dean Arvidson, performs approximately monthly and for special occasions such as the 4:30 Christmas Eve service and the Spring Concert. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. No prior Bell Choir experience is required

Musicians

Musician members and friends of the Parish, students and adults are invited to share their talents in Sunday worship, and are scheduled on a regular basis at both services. Tom Berryman is available to serve as an accompanist. Consider sharing your musical skills and interests with our congregation. Contact Tom Berryman at music@uuframingham.org for further information about opportunities to perform.

Children’s Choir and Youth Chime Choir

The Children’s Choir and Youth Chime Choir are led by Dean Arvidson and are open to any child or youth who wishes to sing. Rehearsals for the Children’s Choir are each Sunday from 10:20 to 10:50 a.m., and the :Youth Chime Choir alternate singing on the first Sunday of each month and for special occasions such as the 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service.

Instruments

The organ is a two-manual instrument built by Frazee between 1926 and 1930. It was rebuilt by Nobscott 1997-2003 and sits in the west gallery of the meeting house. The meeting house piano is a 6-foot grand by Young Chang. The Parish also owns a set of Schulmerich handbells and a set of Schulmerih chimes.

The Heritage Chorale Rehearses at First Parish Weekly

A nonprofit chorus of approximately 90 singers who perform major classical and contemporary choral works in the Framingham area is led by Music Director John Finney. Chorale singers audition to become members and come from over twenty communities in the MetroWest area. The Heritage Chorale rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7:45 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. from September through May and will present three concerts this season.

For information, call the InfoLine 508-270-3999 or Irene Morth at 508-875-2285, or visit their website at www.heritagechorale.org.

UnCommon Coffee House

The UnCommon Coffeehouse is celebrating it's 25th Anniversary! As one of the leading coffeehouses in the metro Boston area over the past 25 years, the Uncommon has been the host for hundreds of top folk, big band, and world acts since its beginnings in the mid-80s. We have welcomed such greats as Tom Rush, Cheryl Wheeler, Tom Paxton, and Garnet Rogers to our stage. Uncommon also recognizes its responsibility to nurture up and coming artists, and has actively pursued engaging exciting opening acts, such as Tracy O’Connell, Liz Moore and Ben Styer.

For further information and to view our schedule of concerts for the 2008 - 2009 season visit www.uncommoncoffeehouse.org . Come help us celebrate our anniversary and share an evening of music with us. As always, FPF adults can receive $2 off each ticket by prepaying. The UnCommon Coffeehouse is volunteer-based organization, if you are interested in becoming involved with the Coffeehouse as a volunteer, please contact us at info@uncommoncoffeehouse.org .