What Music Means To Us
Without music, life would be a mistake.
-Friedrich Nietszche
First Unitarian is a singing, swinging congregation full of gifted musicians and attuned listeners. Music lies at the heart of our worship services, and is one of the strong community-building forces in the life of the congregation. Many members find ways to express their creativity through a wide range of performing opportunities; our musicians range in age from 6 to 76. Diverse, eclectic, and always energetic, our program encompasses classical, jazz, folk, rock, blues, gospel…just to name a few!
On any given Sunday, you might walk into our sanctuary to hear a classical piano trio, a gospel shout, a stirring organ-and-trumpet fanfare, spirituals, bluegrass, African drumming, or the shimmering sound of bells. We believe in listening with open ears and open hearts to the power of the divine which comes to us through music, and we believe in the unique power of music to heal individuals and bring communities together.
Performing Ensembles: Opportunities to Participate
Chancel Choir
The centerpiece of our church’s multifaceted music program is the Chancel Choir. The choir is a mixed-voice, all-volunteer ensemble. Any church member or friend with the ability to carry a tune is welcome to join; prior choral experience, vocal training, or the ability to read music are desirable, but not required.
The choir rehearses on Thursday nights from 7:15-9:15 pm from late August through mid-June, and sings twice a month for our two Sunday services. We
sing music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, faith traditions, and time periods. For more information, or to schedule an informal audition, please contact please Matt Wolka (matt@uuoakland.org), our Interim Music Director.
Band Without Borders
The Band Without Borders is one of two lay-led regular church music ensembles. Under the fearless leadership of guitarist Stefan Schneider, the Band plays rock, blues, folk, or bluegrass music as the spirit moves them. Players or singers interested in participating must be able to commit to a six-week rehearsal schedule as determined by the leader. The Band performs four times a year in worship services. For more information, contact Stefan Schneider at 510-292-6576.
The Music Advisory Group (MAG) is an ad hoc group formed by the Executive Team in Feburary 2008 to work through December 2008. This group will attend worship regularly during the next year, pay close attention to the musical style, musical selections, and musical genres used in worship services, and notice whether the music advances the spirit of Vision 2012: a more multigenerational, multicultural, antiracist congregation. The group will advise both the Executive Team and the Music Program staff and volunteers on whether these goals are being met, and make appropriate suggestions. The group is also charged to be available to congregants in discussing these questions and solicit feedback in formal and informal ways. The Music Advisory Group consists of church members Micky Duxbury (chair), Charles Williams, Dan Wright, Joan Poulter, Rebecca Ramirez, and Marcus Liefert. Members are available after every service to talk about congregants' experiences about the music. On each Sunday they will have tags attached themselves that read "Talk to me about music!" Feel free to approach one of them in coffee hour to let them know what you think. For more information, contact Micky Duxbury (MAG Chair) at mickydux@earthlink.net.
Music Advisory Group Interim Report Available
In July 2008, the Music Advisory Group completed work on its Interim Report to the ET and the Congregation. The Report represents a group effort by the members of the MAG. The group would like to thank the 70 congregants who spent time talking with them about the music over the past months and whose voices were included in the report. The group will be continuing its work through Fall 2008 and will distribute a final report in Winter 2009.