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CHOIR and MUSIC PROGRAM
Choir Rehearsals begin Wednesday, Sept. 4th, 2002, from 6:30-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary. Anyone interested in singing is encouraged to come and explore the choir experience. All voice parts are welcome. Previous musical training, though useful, is not necessary. We are an audition-free group exploring a variety of music in an atmosphere of fun and encouragement. For more information, please contact Tom Sears (686-5972).
Children's Choir - info to be updated soon
Director's Notes
From time to time I am asked how I choose one piece of music for the choir over another. It's a good question and has helped me clarify the focus of our UU music program. I'd like to share some of my thoughts and welcome yours as well.
Melody and harmony, more so than the text, is what I've been most moved by in music. It is the sheer beauty of sound that has been the reason for selecting some of our pieces. Over time and through exposure to UU principles the balance ahs changed and text has become nearly as important. This year the choir has worked up two pieces that were chosen primarily for the value of their text. The relevance of the text to a particular service is a second criteria used in selecting music.
One of the focal points of our music program is to provide a musical experience as culturally and historically inclusive as our UU principles. To this end we explore different musical languages, historical periods and genres. So much of our musical heritage is tied to the Christian tradition that to cut ourselves off from this wealth of music would be unfortunate; to embrace it too fully would be oppressive to those of us who have left behind a Christian tradition. It is sung without any sense of advocacy, but to broaden our cultural and musical perspective.
A second focus of our music program is to provide opportunities for musical growth. We get better as we rise to new challenges. For this reason we will take on a difficult work knowing that there will be both a challenge and a reward. The feeling of accoumplishment and the sense satisfaction derived from singing well such a piece is almost palpable.
Musical beauty, textual relevance, pursuing the aims of the music program are all criteria that come together in selecting music for the choir. Too, there are some pieces I'm just plain excited about and want to share. When we sing, we are bathed in sound and meaning. It is a rich experience indeed.
Tom Sears, Music Director |
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