Music Ministry
Music at UUCP: A True Ministry
If “ministry” is considered a call to service, then the Music Ministry at UUCP elevates this meaning through the powerful medium of music. Coming first through those who participate – in the Adult Choir, Bell Choir, and Kids’ Chorale, the Music Ministry spreads inspiration to all who come to services and concerts. An important goal of the Music Ministry for the future is to extend its inspiration as a tool of good will in the wider community.
The Music Ministry is governed by a Committee, which plans its activities and sends financial priorities to the Executive Team at UUCP. It consists of musicians and music-lovers who share an understanding of the power of music to heal and transform.
Adult Choir
Let singing with the Adult Choir be something you do for yourself in the middle of a week of attending to the business of living. Come be a part of a new wave of choral participation happening at UUCP. With an ear to music that is ever meaningful, ever uplifting, and ever FUN, music director Marjorie Herman invites you to join us as we “make a joyful noise,” through the singing of classical pieces of all periods, folksong arrangements, inspired world music, uplifting spirituals, and lots more!! We prepare for two special projects each year:
All Music Sunday one Sunday’s services are devoted to music. Past themes include: “The Power of Music, “Growing Towards Our Healing – Ourselves, Each Other, the World.” This coming November 13, the theme is “ALLELUIA – A World of Expressions,” featuring music from many styles and cultures. The Adult Choir, Bell Choir and Kids’ Chorale will be joined by special guests.
Spring Concert In early May, we present a major work that has relevance to our UU values. In past concerts, we’ve performed Missa Gaia by Paul Winter, Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez, and in May of 2009 we presented Sources, a UU cantata by Jason Shelton. In 2010 we presented “Gospel Train – A Celebration of African-American Spirituality,” featuring the Community Fellowship Choir of Trenton. “Voices of the Feminine” was our theme in May of 2011, presenting music by female composer past and present.
Rehearsals are every Wednesday evening from 7:30 til 9:00pm. We sing for the second service two Sundays per month.
Handbell Choir
Ringing bells is like no other musical experience. Each ringer normally has two bells, i.e. two notes to ring, meaning that he or she must listen in a particular way in order to take part musically in creating a melody. The sound of the bells is both heavenly and penetrating, and ringers feel enlivened by the clarity of the sound. We now have three octaves of bells, 36 bells in all, and nine ringers, so we are always looking for new ringers to join us. We rehearse every other Thursday evening and ring for about 4 services a year, including Christmas Eve.
Kids Chorale
Kids’ Chorale is UUCP’s children’s chorus for ages 8 to 13. The music ranges from folk to chant to classical and everything in between, and children learn the basics of reading music as well. Rehearsals are Sunday mornings between services at 10:30 in Room 2. Our student conductor this year is 13 year-old Jillian Corn, a member of Kids’ Chorale for 5 years and a fine young musician, soloist, and actor. For more information on how your child can participate, e-mail Marjorie at
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"Sunday Serenades" Concert Series
NEW!! You can now order tickets online at www.ticketriver.com, or just click on the “Get Tickets” button that appears at the description of each event.
This is UUCP’s unique concert series – performances are typically held once a month on Sunday afternoons in Channing Hall. Last December we presented Kiya Heartwood’s original operetta Lying to the Sea Gypsy to a sold out crowd.
Below is the 2011-2012 Sunday Serenades line-up:
Sunday, Oct. 23, 3:00pm Jim Scott in Concert
Featuring revered UU composer and guitarist Jim Scott. Jim has brought his contemporary and multicultural music to more than 500 UU Churches over 27 years. A gifted performer, Jim will warm your heart with his inimitable blend of humor and soul using the voice that rings out the best of our UU culture. His much loved “Gather the Spirit” and a number of others are included in the UU hymnbooks. Former Co-chair of the UU Ministry for the Earth, Jim was involved in creating the "Green Sanctuary" program.
Sunday, Dec. 4, 3:00pm Schubert and Liszt in Concert
In the tradition of the “Schubertiad” parlor concerts that Schubert gave for his friends, Paul-André Bempechat will delight you with a solo piano recital which will include Schubert’s masterpiece, the Piano Sonata in A-major, D. 959, and the monumental Sonata in B-minor by Franz Liszt. Paul-Andre has shared his considerable talent with audiences worldwide. Currently on the faculty of Rider University, he has performed at Boston’s Jordan Hall, Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, Stockholm’s Konserthus; as well as on National Public Radio.
Sunday, February 19, 3:00pm A Tale of Two Cities
On the program will be music of Edward Elgar, Frank Bridge, and Claude Debussy. This enchanting concert will be performed by the Amabile String Quartet. Comprised of four of the area’s finest string players, Amabile will transport you to the music of London and Paris with beauty, relish and sophistication.
Sunday, April 29, 3:00pm Gloria!
This year’s UUCP Music Ministry Spring Concert will include settings of the ultimate expression of high praise, in settings from Classical to funky, from Bluegrass stomping to Brazilian rhythms. Our combined UUCP ensembles and special guests will present music that will lift your spirit, including a newly commissioned work by our Composer-in-Residence, Brandon Waddles.
Music Ministry Committee
We are blessed to have a committee of volunteers that makes decisions about fund-raising, helps plan the Sunday Serenades, and generally sees to the health and well-being of the Music Ministry. Members include participants in our ensembles and others who believe that music is the heartbeat of worship and needs to be supported congregation-wide. Its first order of business four years ago was to create our Mission Statement:
- To provide, through the power of music, a dynamic ministry that will inspire transcendent personal experiences, draw the congregation into greater kinship, and bring inspiration to the wider community.
Marjorie Herman, Director of Music
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Marjorie is entering her sixth year as Director of Music at UUCP. She holds a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, and has been conducting for most of her adult life. With experience at the university, high school, and community levels, Marjorie brings a wide range of choral experiences to bear in her work with our three ensembles. Her passion for the choral sound is boundless, and sheempowers the ensembles to provide real substance in what they bring to worship here. She is a champion of congregational singing, and encourages our congregants to lift their voices through our poignant and beautiful UU hymns. Her voice can be heard on Sunday afternoons on the Classical Network,
Brandon Waddles, Pianist/Composer-in Residence
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Brandon comes to Princeton this year as a Master’s Degree student at Westminster Choir College with an impressive list of credits. A recent graduate of Morehouse College, he is an accomplished collaborative pianist, a classically trained bass-baritone, and a published composer. He has collaborated with singers such as George Shirley and Vinson Cole, and has worked with noted coaches such as Martin Katz and Clifford Jackson. In addition to Brandon’s original compositions, he has most recently been transcribing classic gospel songs to be added to hymnal supplements published by GIA, a noted publisher of musical and music education materials. Brandon’s versatility at the keyboard allows him considerable ease with all styles and periods of playing, as congregants have already noted during Sunday services. He will compose three pieces for our services this year as part of his residency.
Guitarist-in-Residence: Jeffrey Fadden
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Originating from the Philadelphia/NJ metro areas, Jeffrey began playing at age 7, and discovered his affinity with Jazz at age 14. After playing electric Jazz guitar for two years, he soon fell in love with finger-style nylon string guitar which reinforced his passion for Brazillian Jazz repertoire..and never looked back! His influences include Carlos Barbosa Lima, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chet Atkins, and John Williams, among many others. He performs as part of various workshops and gives recitals throughout the Delaware Valley. Jeffrey is known for partnering some of the most unique repertoire with vocalists and instrumentalists, and has brought many such pairings to our UUCP Sunday services. He contributes his art to our services about once every six weeks.
Contact Marjorie at (609) 924-1604 x16 or send an email.
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