Music

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Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully With a loud noise. –Psalms 33, 2-3

The music program is one of the great strengths of the church and a source of joy for the whole congregation.

We have a talented adult choir on Sundays and the children’s choir for special occasions such as the much-loved Christmas carol and Christmas Eve services, as well as Easter and Children’s Sunday.

The adult choir is comprised of men and women who love to sing and who enjoy being part of the musical tradition at the Union Church. The choir is open to newcomers at any time. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7:30 at the church and again at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, just prior to the service. The children’s choir meets immediately after the service to fit as well as possible into their families’ busy schedules.

“If anyone would like more information regarding singing in the Choir, please contact Bill Merrill, Music Director, at 617-522-7633. Parents interested in having their children join the Children’s Choir should feel free to speak to him following the Sunday service. The first Choir rehearsal is on Thursday evening, September 6th, at 7:30 pm. No sight reading ability is required, just a desire to sing with the Spirit and make beautiful music together.”

Our Musical Programs During the Advent Season

 The Stable Lamp is Lighted

We begin our Advent Season this year on Sunday, December 2nd. The choir will sing “A Stable Lamp Is Lighted,” a hauntingly beautiful anthem by David Hurd. The words are by poet laureate Richard Wilbur, and they speak of the “child by whose descent the worlds are reconciled.”

 On Sunday, December 9th, we will celebrate different traditions of the “Festival of Light.”  Luana Jøsvold and guest musicians will join us in observing the Swedish holiday of Sankta Lucia. The lighting of the Menorah will honor the celebration of Hanukkah, which begins on December 8th. The choir will contribute an anthem by K. Lee Scott, “Arise, Shine; for Your Light Has Come.”

 The Christmas Pageant on December 16th will feature the children of Union Church presenting “The Christmas Nativity 2012.” Interwoven with the play will be congregational carols and music from the adult choir, and a medieval French carol, “Masters in this Hall.” We will be joined by percussion and by our Bell Choir.

 On Christmas Sunday, December 23, we will have a special music service, featuring our Adult and Children’s Choirs, soloists, and guest Flutist, Michelle Nover. You will hear the compelling Cantata by Mark Hayes, “Come To The Manger.” The Cantata is in two parts, the first celebrating the birth of the Christ child, and the shepherds at the manger in Bethlehem; the second, the arrival of the Magi and their worship of God’s son. The Cantata concludes with an exciting spiritual, “The Little Cradle Rocks in Glory.”

On  Christmas Eve, we will hear our two marvelous soloists  Sue Ellen Kuzma, soprano, and Emil Lancea, tenor, sing an excerpt from the Vivaldi “Magnificat.” The choir will sing a number of anthems, including “A Babe Is Born” by British composer Anthony Baldwin, and the beautiful spiritual, “Mary’s Little Boy Child”, arranged by Ed Lojeski.  We will conclude our service with Adam’s “O Holy Night” sung by Ms. Kuzma.

A Circle of Love

The word “Carol” in Medieval times was of French origin, and referred to a circle dance. Later in the 16th century it began to be part of liturgical music. Most of the Carols that we sing today originated in England during the 18th century.

On Sunday afternoon, December 16th, at 2:00 p.m. the choir of  The Union Church in Waban, joined by members of the congregation, will participate in a Carol Sing at   Waban Health Center. This will be an enjoyable occasion, in which you may share your voice in lifting people’s spirits and offering them the joy of the Christmas Season. We will meet at the church at 1:15 for a brief rehearsal, before going to Waban Health. Music and word sheets will be provided, and no music reading ability is  required.  Children are welcome to join us. We hope to make this a yearly tradition!