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 Director of Music, Andrew
Shenton by phone at 617-327-4604, or
.
Music highlights from 2005-2006:
• Performance of the anthem Skyborn Music, using the Emerson poem,
Music, by composer Joe Utterback, commissioned by First Parish
• Andrew Shenton gave recitals at Busch Hall, Harvard University;
The First Religious Society of Carlisle (UU), MA; and Sanbornton Congregational
Church (UCC), NH
• Singing 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, and the group was so successful
that we will be repeating it in the future.
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 Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is a subset of the Parish Choir and is for those who
want to sing but have limited time. The Choir rehearses for part of the
Wednesday rehearsal time and only sings for concerts and other special
events.
The Hymn Choir
The Hymn Choir sings at the 9:15 service and provides a support for the
congregational singing at that service. The singers meet at 9:00 a.m. in
the Choir Room to review the hymns to be sung that morning and then sit
together in the choir loft during the service. There is no other commitment
to be in this choir than to show up slightly early each Sunday.
The Handbell Choir
The Handbell Choir is a three-octave choir and performs approximately
ten times a year, including special occasions like Christmas and the
annual spring concert. The group rehearses on Tuesdays (7:30 to 9:00
p.m.) and is open to ringers from high-school age to senior citizen.
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 (8-12 members) and Youth Ensemble (8-10 members)
are open to any child or youth. Rehearsals for the Children's Choir and
Youth Ensemble are generally held on Sundays between first and second services.
The Choir and Ensemble alternate singing on the first Sunday of each month
and for special occasions such as the 4:30 pm Christmas Eve service.
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 upcoming UnCommon Coffeehouse season will be one of transition. When
it was announced to the volunteers that the Conleys would be moving to
Maine at the beginning of 2006, there was a simple choice facing the organization
for the 2006-7 season: to continue or fold. The unanimous consensus was
to keep the coffeehouse open.
To make the transition easier, the 2006-7 schedule was reduced from last
year’s hectic slate of 13 events to about eight. Dates will be listed
on the uncommoncoffeehouse website.
As always, FPF adults can receive $2 off each ticket by prepaying. For
further information, please check out the website at www.uncommoncoffeehouse.org or
call Michael Conley at 207-622-2945.
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