Music at UUCR

The music program at UUCR is wide-ranging and open to all who are interested. We strive to offer excellent quality yet also encourage and educate musicians at any level of experience.

Welcome to our new pianist!

We welcome a new pianist this Fall, Justin Furnia. Justin is a student at Hood College and just completed his Junior Recital.

Ongoing Programs

The Adult Choir: Our largest ensemble, the Adult Choir has over 50 active singers. We are a non-audition choir, open to Senior High youth as well as adults that meets weekly on Thursday nights from September through June from 7:30-9:30pm in the Sanctuary. We sing in at least 2 Sunday services each month and have a commitment to exploring a diverse selection of music – both in style and challenge level. We prepare more extensive music for Christmas Eve service and a Music Sunday each year. We also run the Tuxedo Junction, a performance evening for internal musicians that raises funds for Special Music events at UUCR. The Adult Choir is directed by Jennifer Rodgers Beach (jrbeach -at- uucr.org).

The Children's Choir: Our growing Children’s Choir is open to ages Pre-K through 6th grade. We meet on most Sundays after service from 11:20-11:50 in Room 53 and we sing in the Sunday service every 6 weeks or so. We have a hoot-hollerin’ good time, sometimes singing with guitar or with piano. Sometimes we use a little sign language or do a little dancing – sometimes spontaneously! The Children’s Choir is directed by Barbara Weis (dye2tie -at- verizon.net).

Sonaria: Sonaria is our women’s singing group that rehearses twice a month – after the service from 11:30-12:30. We have focused on arranging songs from the “Singing The Journey” supplement hymnal, but are expanding our focus to include folk songs and more. We are open to teens and women and sing at several Sunday services as well as other church events. Sonaria is directed by Cynthia Thurston (awe4 -at- aol.com).

Saturday Night Song Circle: The Song Circle started up in 2009 as a monthly place for folk and roots music fans to gather and share whatever they bring to the group, often working from songbooks like “Rise Up Singing” and jam session fakebooks. We freely play with arrangements and harmonies. Just bring your musical instruments, songs and good spirits and share in the fun! We meet on the third Saturday of the month from 7-10pm either in Room 44 (Bldg.4) or in Founders Hall. The group is organized by Jeremy Schuhmann (jschuhma -at- netscape.com).

Holiday Pick-Up Band: Each winter, all instrumentalists are welcome to join in our “Getting Ready for the Holidays” pick-up band. We are a multi-generational holiday band that puts together traditional holiday music in a few rehearsals and then has a bunch of fun playing at our Getting Ready for the Holidays event after a Sunday service. The group is organized by Mike Holmes (mholmes -at- jcvi.org).

Special Music: Solo musicians and small ensembles provide music at many services throughout the year and at each service during the summer. We are also looking for interested musicians and, once again, strive to both provide excellent music while also encouraging musical growth and experience in our community. If you would like to consider providing special music, please contact Jennifer Rodgers Beach (jrbeach -at- uucr.org).

Benefit Concert Series: Three times each year, we partner with the social justice committee to offer performance opportunities to local artists for the benefit of a worthwhile cause. Keep an eye on Quest and the Order of Service to learn more!

For more information or questions about any of UUCR’s music offerings, you are welcome to contact our Director of Music, Jennifer Rodgers Beach (jrbeach -at- uucr.org).