The excellent music program at First Unitarian continues to grow each year. Our professional staff, together with the Music Committee, strives to offer quality music at Sunday services and special music events. The program benefits from the generous time and energy of our volunteer choir and guest musicians (from both within and beyond our FUSD community). Like Unitarian Universalism, our music program embraces the world’s diversity. At any given service you may hear jazz, classical, musical theater, folk, rock, or world music. Expect the unexpected!
Guest Musicians
We encourage members and visitors alike to share their musical talents with us! Musicians of all ages and abilities are welcome. If you sing or play an instrument, and would like to contribute musically to an upcoming service (either solo or as part of a small ensemble), please contact Sarah Deveau or Lia Davis.
Choir
Our adult choir, the Chalice Singers, sings for both services twice a month (typically on the first and third Sundays), and for special services including Christmas Eve and Easter. The choir also collaborates with other Front Range UU choirs to perform larger choral works. Recent performances include the Colorado premiere of Jason Shelton’s Sources: A Unitarian Universalist Cantata (2009), the Front Range UU Choir Concert (2007), and several Interfaith Music Festivals.
Membership in the choir is open to anyone who likes to sing – no audition is required. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in the multipurpose room from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. from September through early June. Please contact our music director Sarah Deveau for more information.
Music for Children & Youth
On occasion, typically for seasonal or holiday services, we form an ad hoc children’s choir. Youth who play instruments are encouraged to play during Sunday services, and sometimes have the opportunity to play in intergenerational ensembles. Eric Bliss, our Director of Religious Education, often blends music and/or movement into A Time For All Ages (the youth-centered portion of our services). He envisions music in Religious Education as being engaging and inspirational, interwoven into class structure and protocol, kinesthetic in form and function, and multigenerational in approach.
Music Sunday
Once a year, usually in the spring, we present a Music Sunday, where the choir, guest musicians, and the music staff devote the entire service to music and readings / reflections on music. Music Sunday 2009 featured works composed solely by Unitarian Universalist composers; in 2008, singer/songwriter Judy Fjell led an extended “Music Weekend” including workshops, a concert, and our Sunday services. 2006’s Music Sunday featured works that celebrate music itself.
Music Committee
The Music Committee collaborates with the music staff to help shape the mission of the music program and support its activities. This includes creating and refining our vision of music in worship, developing community music events & concerts, managing the budget, and hiring staff. The Music Committee meets monthly; contact Kathy Mitchell. if you are interested in joining this committee.
Concerts & Community Events
First Unitarian has hosted numerous musicians and ensembles from the larger community, including UU singer/songwriter Jim Scott, Emma’s Revolution, Denver singer/songwriter Gwendy Joysen, the Denver Women’s Chorus, UU guitarist Peter Mayer, and the UU Musician’s Network annual conference. The sanctuary at First Unitarian is available for concerts, rehearsals, and other community events. The space offers superb acoustics, a first-rate sound system, and professional instruments. Please contact the office at First Unitarian if you would like to see our facilities or look at our facilities rental section.
