At UUCB we enjoy a variety of music every Sunday. There are 3 or 4 hymns sung by the congregation, with guidance and encouragement from our wonderful volunteer choir. Hymns range from very familiar tunes with old or new words, to new hymns, many composed by UU writers and composers, and hymns from other cultures across the world. Once a month we sing folk songs, which will be familiar (if you remember the days of Peter, Paul and Mary) Each month, an article in the Gallimaufry (the UUCB Newsletter) offers a bit of background about one or two of the less familiar hymns, so they don’t seem like strangers when we sing them.
The Director of Music, Helen Wilson, is the wife of the minister, Gregory. She has many years’ experience as a church musician, as paid section leader (choral), folk service leader, and choir director.
Many of our choir members also contribute their instrumental skills. Carolyn Wilson conducts and accompanies choral singing on 2nd Sundays. Val Gaccione, Susan Solberg, and Tanya Dax join Helen in a woodwind group. Jane Arens (also 2nd Sundays) and Sheila Stone play the piano. Dave Hoffman leads the UFO (Unitarian Folk Orchestra) with his guitar and lead tenor singing, usually on 4th Sundays. On the 3rd Sunday, Amanda Ellison provides special music for our Prelude, Postlude, and Offertory.
In addition to our Sunday services, we have a traditional Christmas Eve service, with many carols and other seasonal (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, …) music. It’s a family-friendly service, that concludes with a visit from St. Nicholas.
If you can sing, even a bit, and would like to join us, please come early one Sunday (we warm up at 10:30 am) and join in. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.