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 Interim Director
of Music, Thomas Berryman via email: music@uuframingham.org
.
Music highlights from the 2007-2008 season:
• Music of
Renaissance composer William Byrd accompanied by
a concert of Viols. This special service was made possible by a grant
from the
New England Gamba Society. The Silbiger Grant commemorates the life and
work of
Gian Lyman Silbiger, viol player, teacher, composer and organist. The
grant is
entering its second decade of supporting collaborations between church
musicians and viol players to explore sacred music for viols and
voices, and to
introduce the viol and its music to new audiences around New England.
• The
annual Spring Concert took on an earth day theme and was again an
opportunity
for many Parish musicians to participate. The Bellchoir performed
several
selections and the Parish Choir sang several pieces including a cantata
‘In
Heaven Soaring Up’ for SATB chorus, Soprano and Tenor soloists, harp
and oboe
by local composer Daniel Pinkham who died last year.
Music highlights from the 2006-2007 season:
• The
choir collaborated with UU drummer Matt
Meyer one Sunday morning and for a very
successful workshop after the service.
•
The
Choir Spring Concert was a chance for many
Parish musicians to participate and included portions of the Requiem by Karl Jenkins sung by the
Parish Choir as well as contributions by the Children’s Choir, Youth
Ensemble
and Bell Choir.
•
Janette
Lallier,
our soprano section leader, and
Andrew Shenton gave a benefit recital for the Youth Group trip to New Orleans
– the concert
was well attended and raised a good sum to help the relief trip.
Janette left
the choir in June to pursue a singing career in New York City.
•
As
part of the Celebration services the FPASB
(First Parish All Star Band) was reformed to perform some of the music
at the
services.
Music highlights from the 2005-2006 season:
•
Performance of the anthem Skyborn Music, using the Emerson poem, music
by
composer Joe Utterback, commissioned by First Parish.
•
Sang
joint services with the choirs of the Arlington Street Church (UU), and
First
Parish in Concord (UU) at their respective churches.
•
The
Parish Choir Annual Spring Concert, celebrating Mozart’s anniversary,
and
performing music by American composers, including our commissioned
piece.
•
Choir
collaborations with UU musician Nick Page at services after
Thanksgiving, and
with pianist and composer Joe Utterback at services after the Spring
Concert.
•
As part
of the Celebration services on March 5, formation of the First Parish
All-Star
Band to perform some of the music. Several members of the congregation
made
their debuts that day.
The Parish Choir
Our present Meetinghouse, built in 1926, was intended for musical
leadership from a quartet of professional singers and a small
two-manual pipe organ. Sometime in the 1940s, a more standard mixed
choir was established and still exists today as the Parish Choir. In
recent years the program has moved away from the dominance of the
Parish Choir and the organ as the principal means of musical
expression.
The Parish Choir, which has about 25 regular
members, sings a wide variety of music from different periods and
genres at one service most Sundays. It rehearses on a regular basis. It
also performs at special services, such as Christmas Eve, and at
concerts and other events. Some singing experience is preferred for the
Parish Choir.
The Handbell Choir
The
Handbell Choir, directed by Trish Ramey, performs approximately monthly
and for
special occasions such as the 4:30 Christmas Eve service and the Spring
Concert. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The choir
typically rings Level 1 and 2 music so no prior bell choir experience
is
required.
Instrumentalists
Church members who are instrumentalists are
invited to share their talents in Sunday worship. Instrumentalists are
scheduled on a regular basis at both services. Dr. Shenton is available
as an accompanist if required.
Children’s Choir and Youth Ensemble
The Children’s
Choir and Youth Ensemble are led
by Trish Ramey 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 Choir/Ensemble 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
Cheng and the Parish also owns a set of handbells by Schulmerich and a
set of
chimes also by Schulmerich.
The Music Committee
The
Music Committee mandate states that the committee
members act as
advocates for the music program at First Parish, endeavoring to
respect,
reflect, and expand the musical inspiration found in the diverse
backgrounds
and interest of parishioners and the world community. They work closely
with
the Music Director to support the activities and goals of the program.
The
current Chair is Charlotte Morrier.
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.
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