Dear UCM,

Reflecting back on another fine year of music making here at UCM, I am filled with gratitude: for our open and appreciative congregation; for our creative, competent, and considerate staff; for our dedicated, talented, and kindhearted choir; for all the other wonderful musicians, young and old, in our congregation; and for being a part of our greater Montpelier community that values the arts as a vital part of spiritually full life.

A highlight of recent months was definitely our Music Sunday service, honoring beauty. Between the choir really outdoing itself and our fabulous guest musicians, and of course, the music, it was both an outstanding event musically and a source of spiritual solace and inspiration. Here are a few pictures:

 

 

 

 

Barring any unusual events (!) this summer will be quiet for the music program. Apart from a Vespers service planned for mid-summer and a late summer hymn sing, there won’t be any organized musical offerings. I will again be attending the Unitarian musicians’ conference in July. This annual conference has always been a source of new ideas and inspiration. This year our new pianist/accompanist Sara Huff will be joining me at the conference! I look forward to seeing what we together can bring back to you all in the fall.

Eliza Thomas, our pianist who is retiring from her position here for the past 10 years, is truly a special soul and musician, and I will personally miss her, as will I imagine many of you. Nonetheless, Sara will bring her own unique gifts and I am very much looking forward to working with her. An accomplished pianist, organist, singer and composer, Sara has been a church musician for many years, including for UU congregations.   

Until fall (I’m sure I’ll see many of you before then!), keep beauty in your lives! ~ Donia Prince, Music Director