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...

CHOPIN BY CANDLELIGHT

A 4-part concert series celebrating the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth

First Parish's Music Director Bradford Conner says, "Our series spans the range of Chopin's music, including virtuoso piano pieces, songs, instrumental transcriptions, and the ‘Trio ’ which is like a mini-piano concerto, as well as readings from a mystery novel about the lost Chopin diaries that will be interspersed with piano music. In other words: something for almost everyone." The gentle light of candles will illuminate each of the concerts.
Part II: Two Trios

Sunday, March 14, 2010 At 07:00 PM

A selection of Chopin’s virtuoso piano pieces, songs and instrumental transcriptions, along with his Trio for violin, cello and piano in g minor, Op. 8 are featured in this special event.

Flutist Carol Epple, clarinetist Elizabeth Connors and pianist Bradford Conner will perform a pair of short trios, mazurkas, waltzes, etudes and instrumental variations.

The Trio in g minor, which resembles a piano concerto in miniature, will be performed after the interval by violinist Eden MacAdam-Somer, cellist Nancy Hair and pianist Eric Mazonson.

If you love Chopin, or just love to experience wonderful music performed by masters of their instruments, you won't want to miss this event!  

Proceeds from the Chopin by Candlelight concerts will benefit the work of First Parish.

Suggested ticket donations: Individual event--Adults $15, Students/Seniors $10; Two events--Adults $25, Students/Seniors $17; Three events--Adults $35, Students/Seniors $24; All four events--Adults $45, Students/Seniors $30; Accompanied children 12 and under are welcome free of charge.
Advance tickets are available in the Church Office, or by calling 781-275-7994.

Please note: A special collection to benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee/Unitarian Universalist Association’s joint Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund will be taken at each concert.

Click here for our music podcasts, including Music Sunday 2006, 2007, and 2008! (no iPod necessary - just download and play on your computer)

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.

Pease contact Carol if you want more information.

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