First Parish Bedford UU

Welcome to the music program for First Parish in Bedford!

Music is a vital part of the outreach and fellowship of First Parish. Striving for a multi-cultural and richly-textured experience, the music program consists of four choirs of all ages and abilities, various guest instrumentalists, and a music committee which helps with internal administration of the program as well as bringing in outside groups for approximately four concerts a year.

New participants for all choirs are always welcome.  Repertoire for all choral groups includes diverse selections from the traditions of classical, jazz, contemporary and world music. The Music Committee is also looking for volunteers.  If you would like to be a committee member, you do not need to be a musician (although musicians are welcome); the only qualifications you need is the time to attend one short meeting every 6-8 weeks and to have a passion for being supportive of the music program overall.

– Brad Conner, Music Director

   Read more about Brad...

GERSHWIN, WITH LOVE
Music of the Gershwins and their contemporaries
Sunday Feb. 12, 4:00pm
 

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Music Committee presents a candlelight
concert of music of the Jazz Age, plus an elegant post-concert “Chocolate
Rhapsody” dessert buffet!

Popular songs of George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and others

("I Got Rhythm", "Embraceable You", "Cheerful Little Earful", "I Can’t Get Started", "The Man I Love",
"Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off" and more) will be performed by Ben Sears and Cynthia Mork, accompanied by

Brad Conner on piano, Nathan Kimball on cello, and Dean Groves on drums.
 

In the concert’s second half, acclaimed pianist Igor Lovchinsky will perform virtuoso arrangements of Gershwin songs by Earl Wild, topped off with the fabulous Rhapsody In Blue. A “Chocolate Rhapsody” reception, featuring elegant chocolate desserts and other delectables, will follow in the Common Room. Don’t miss this most glamorous Valentine affair!
 

Suggested donation at the door: Adults $20, Seniors/Students $15
Proceeds to benefit First Parish.
A special collection will be taken for Bedford’s Habitat for Humanity project.

 Music Sunday 2010

Shakespeare

Finale

Adult Choir (Bradford Conner, director)

Open to all after talking with the director. Sings in Sunday services about twice a month, usually in the later service. Currently has about 35 active members.

Rehearses Thursdays 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

Senior Youth Choir Janet Welby, director (jwelby@uubedford.org)

For 6^th to 12^th graders. This group practices advanced singing skills and advanced repertoire. Often in 3 or more parts, the music comes from the full range of classical traditions and a wide variety of genres. There are opportunities to participate in community events and sing with other church choral groups that includes the adult choir. They sing approximately once a month and may also participate in the spring musical.

Rehearses Thursdays 5:30 to 6:15 PM.

Please contact Janet if you want more information.

Junior Youth Choir Janet Welby, director

(jwelby@uubedford.org)

For 3d to 6th graders. This group learns basic singing and choral skills, which include singing in two parts.  They rehearse music from variety of styles and genres and sing approximately once a month at the second Sunday service.  There are opportunities to participate in community events, sing with the other church choral groups, and the spring musical.

Rehearses Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 PM.

Please contact Janet if you want more information.

KidSing

Carol Hamilton, director

For K - 3rd graders. Focus on sharing singing, movement games and musicianship. Sings at Sunday services several times a year, sometimes with other choral groups.

Please contact Carol if you want more information.

Meets Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:15 PM.