Music
ULC is blessed with a vibrant music ministry.
If you love music and want to join our growing music ministry
there are plenty of openings and choices for all ages.
If you love music and want to join our growing music ministry
there are plenty of openings and choices for all ages.
Senior Choir
The ULC Senior Choir is directed by Janine Novenske Smith. The Senior Choir is open to all ages high school and older, and rehearses every Thursday from 7:30 to 9 pm from September to May. Rehearsals are held in the choir room in the rear of the Fellowship Hall located in the lower level of the church. The choir sings on scheduled Sunday mornings during worship.
Scholarship Students
Our 2023 Scholarship Quartet: left to right: soprano, Eleanor Barbour; bass, Nick Perkins; tenor, Ryan Jordan; alto, Chey Lacasse.
Each year the senior choir recruits and sponsors college students to sing in the choir and sing parts of the liturgy during worship. Interested students are encouraged to contact Janine Smith to audition for next year's openings. Learn more about our 2022-2023 Scholarship Students in the October 2022 edition of the Lux Newsletter.
Children's Choir
Our Children's choir is is intended for youth ages 3-1/2 - 5th grade. The Children's Choir sings at selected services, and performance and rehearsal dates are announced in advance. Contact Janine Smith for more information.
In the fall of 2022, music became part of our awesome Worship Wednesdays - 4:15 p.m. on Zoom! Music with Mrs. Janine will include Children's Choir, rhythm instruments, and movement. |
Handbells
The ULC Handbell Choir is directed by Louise Paquette and performs about three times per semester. Rehearsals are arranged according to when the bell choir plays. No prior musical experience is required, and new ringers are always welcome. For more information about the Handbell Choir, contact Louise Paquette.
New Hope Singers
Our college and young adult singers debuted at Pastor Haley Vay's installation service in May 2018, and continue to perform at a variety of services. All interested singers are encouraged to contact Pastor Haley Vay for more information.
NHS director: Janine Novenske Smith Accompanist: John Dale Smith |
History of our 1866 Hamill Organ
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The original organ was built in 1866 by S. S. Hamill for Second Universalist Church in East Cambridge, MA. In 1907, Second Universalist Church closed; and the organ was sold to Hillside Universalist Church in Medford, MA. Under the guidance of long time member Paul Schneider (1917-2000), the organ was relocated to ULC in 1985, where it was enlarged and rebuilt by Dana Hull.
The need for a larger instrument and the deterioration of the original organ became apparent in recent years and led to the decision in 2017 to have the Fowler-Hebert Organ Company of Eaton Rapids, MI rebuild the organ. The number of pipes was increased from 971 to 1,519 and the number of ranks increased from 19 to 27. In addition, the key and stop action were electrified with a solid-state control system, and a new stand alone console was constructed.
A bequest from the Estate of Marilyn Pierce, the leadership of Rev. John Schleicher and the generous support of our congregation were all instrumental in moving the repair project forward. The newly rebuilt organ was celebrated during a hymn festival in October 2019 and will serve to enrich our worship for decades to come.
The need for a larger instrument and the deterioration of the original organ became apparent in recent years and led to the decision in 2017 to have the Fowler-Hebert Organ Company of Eaton Rapids, MI rebuild the organ. The number of pipes was increased from 971 to 1,519 and the number of ranks increased from 19 to 27. In addition, the key and stop action were electrified with a solid-state control system, and a new stand alone console was constructed.
A bequest from the Estate of Marilyn Pierce, the leadership of Rev. John Schleicher and the generous support of our congregation were all instrumental in moving the repair project forward. The newly rebuilt organ was celebrated during a hymn festival in October 2019 and will serve to enrich our worship for decades to come.
