The Music Ministry is pleased to present a wide variety of music this Advent season that encompasses the Christian tradition, both new and old, from different cultures and in a variety of languages that help First United Church achieve its mission as an inclusive community of Christian faith.
The Song of Hope we will be using throughout the season is by LGBTQ+ composer Amanda Udis-Kessler, who specializes in writing music for progressive communities of Christian faith throughout the United States.
The Bell Choir is pleased to present the music of Patricia Cota, a renowned handbell composer and arranger, and someone who has helped shatter the glass ceiling of recognizing female composers.
The Vocal Choir will be representing the more traditional side of Christian Sacred music, with offerings from both the German and British canon. The first is Michael Praetorius’ setting of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, better known in English-speaking countries as “Lo, how a rose e’er blooming.” This piece will be sung in German, but an English translation will be available. Also, the choir is pleased to present excerpts from George Frideric Handel’s monumental work Messiah. This work is a favorite of many churches during the Christmas and Easter seasons, and First United is no exception. We are blessed with the opportunity to bring these ancient texts, dated as they are, into a modern context and recognize the contribution this music has had to our ways of worship we know today.
Finally, everyone will get to participate in a wide variety of hymns that include traditional American and British Christmas carols, German and Spanish language hymns, and African-American spirituals. We hope that the music this Christmas season will contribute to a meaningful worship experience for all of you as we celebrate the birth of Christ through a melting pot of music and liturgy.
Merry Christmas,
Eric Meincke
Director of Music, First United Church
ericdmeincke@gmail.com
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