The choir met for a marathon rehearsal on Sunday in preparation for the Vesper Service on December 18 at 4 PM.  There is still time to  add your voice to this small but vibrant chorus.  We will offer a number of musical opportunities both vocal and instrumental in nature which are already scheduled into the service.   There’s always room for more.  Thanks in advance for your consideration!

We will meet next on Sunday morning before the service at 9 AM.  Join us!

Deb Bonneau (music@uucworcester.org), your humble acting choir director

The post UUCW Choir News – November 29, 2022 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

Choir, your performance Sunday of Something Told the Wild Geese was breathtaking.  The harmonies were right on, the intensity of the message was clear, and you told the story beautifully. You continue to amaze me!

We will need two rehearsals next weekend (at 9 and then again 15 minutes after the service ends) to continue to work on Farewell, My Friend, which we will be singing the following weekend which is the last Sunday before Thanksgiving.  We will not perform this coming Sunday, except to continue to support the congregation by singing the hymns up front.  

I will be meeting with Matt J. and Aaron later this week, to begin designing the Christmas and Christmas Eve services.  After the service on Sunday we’ll unveil what the chorus will be working on for those two services*. Please make every effort to begin attending regular rehearsals and performances.  The Vesper’s service (on Dec. 18th) is considered one of the high points in the year.  We will sing some gorgeous songs, and the audience will be highly appreciative, I’m sure. (BTW, Kudos to our wonderful congregation. You are always so supportive of our efforts!)

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE CONGREGATION:

Feel free to contact me or just come to our 9 AM rehearsal, if you’re even slightly tempted to try singing with the choir.  No previous experience required! Just come and see how it feels to be on the other side.  We would be tickled to welcome new members.  You won’t regret it!

Deb Bonneau (music@uucworcester.org), your humble acting choir director

The post UUCW Choir News – November 8, 2022 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

We had two well-attended and productive rehearsals last Sunday. Next Sunday, we will perform a lovely arrangement of “Something Told the Wild Geese”. Rehearsal next Sunday will begin promptly at 9 AM, in preparation for our performance.  We will then return back 15 minutes after the service, to continue to prepare for future appearances. November promises to be a busy month for the choir!  Thanks so much for being such a committed group of singers.

Deb Bonneau (music@uucworcester.org), your humble acting choir director

The post UUCW Choir News – November 1, 2022 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

There will be a choir rehearsal at 9 AM in the church sanctuary this Sunday.  We will be preparing a hymn to sing in the service.  Afterwards, go grab a snack, coffee, whatever, and c’mon back to the sanctuary for a quick look at a song we will sing in a few weeks.  Newcomers welcome!  Please join us!

Deb Bonneau (music@uucworcester.org), your humble acting choir director

The post UUCW Choir News – October 25, 2022 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

The choir sang a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Al Shosha D’Varim on Sunday.  Thanks especially to Moira for her exquisite solo. We are also settling in nicely cantoring the hymns. This is great, because most of the strong singers are in the choir and can better support those of you in the pews.

Next Sunday is a long weekend and, unsurprisingly, many choir members are taking advantage of the holiday and won’t be available to sing. So, there will be no activities in the “choir loft” next week.   On October 16. I will be in Portland ME celebrating my youngest daughter’s birthday.  Happy birthday, Maddie!  So we will next convene on Oct. 23.  When I get good intel for that service, I’ll send out an email to the members.  If you aren’t receiving these notices, and would like to, email me at the address below, and I will add you to the list!  I’ll be in touch.  

Deb Bonneau (music@uucworcester.org), your humble acting choir director

The post UUCW Choir News – October 4, 2022 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

We had a very productive meeting/rehearsal Sunday Morning.  Please note the following important rehearsal schedule change that will begin immediately.  Instead of meeting on Thursday night, we all agreed that it might make it easier to hold two SHORT rehearsals on Sunday.  We will meet first at 9 AM, to warm up and prepare for the 10:30 service.  Then, following the service, and a quick cup of coffee in the Hall, we will return for another 1/2 hour rehearsal.  We plan to practice whatever is being sung in the service that day at 9:30, and break out new material after the service.  This is a work in progress, and we will all share our thoughts after trying this new schedule for a few weeks.  ANYONE with a desire to join this small but very enthusiastic group of singers is invited to give us a try.  Hope to see you next Sunday at 9 and again at noon(ish).

Deb Bonneau, your humble acting choir director

The post UUCW Choir News – September 27, 2022 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

We are beginning to rev up the adult choir for the year.  We will first perform early in October, and start preparing other pieces for future use.  Please join us now to start preparing for the upcoming few months, until our director is ready to rejoin us down the road a ways. A high point in our church year is our December Vespers Service. Even if you’re out straight still settling into your fall routines, maybe you might  plan to join us a little later in the fall for this musically wonderful and challenging service.

We will begin again on Thursday evening Sept. 22 in the sanctuary from 7 – 8 and again Sunday September 25 in the morning from 9 – 9:30.  Please join us with your always enthusiastic selves as well as ideas for future performances.  We have traditionally met every Thursday night and Sunday morning, and will continue the tradition, unless we have a strong leaning towards other times. Hope to see you there!  

Deb Bonneau, your humble acting choir director

The post Music in Fall 2022 – Calling all Past, Present, and Future Choristers! first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

We are pleased to announce the rebirth of the UUCW adult choir after an 18 month hiatus.  Rehearsals will occur on Thursday nights at 7 pm (beginning September 9) and Sunday mornings at 9 am (beginning September 12).  It has been a long time since we were able to sing together, and we are looking forward to sharing this joy once again. 

As the church comes together in 2021, we have been considering how we might bring back live choral music into the mix.  We are expecting to begin singing again as we begin the fall services.  Given the current situation related to COVID19, we are planning to take the following precautions:

1.  We are asking that only singers who are currently vaccinated sing with the chorus at this moment.
2. We are asking that all singers mask while singing until there is significant improvement in the environment around us. 
3. We are asking that singer observe a 3 foot distance between them and fellow singers.
4. We are expecting to limit rehearsal time somewhat.
5. We are asking singers to monitor themselves, and to not sing if you are sick, or have symptoms that could be shared with others.

As things change, we will review these steps.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

— Music Director Matthew Johnsen music@uucworcester.org

The post Music in Fall 2021 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.