Music Program
The CHOIR has started rehearsing again! In this strange and challenging time of the Covid-19 pandemic, we so miss singing together. However, the choir is now meeting again on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM via Zoom to reconnect, share stories, sing, rehearse, and listen to music together. One of the blessings of this time is that we can now include those who are not available on Sunday mornings, can’t leave their homes, or live outside the Montpelier area, including our Interim Music Director Kellie Walker Hart, who lives in Prescott, Arizona! Please check the weekly newsletter for the info on joining our Zoom rehearsals – newcomers are always welcome. During this season of our lives, the choir will be focusing less on performance and more on small projects to share in the music and community building on Sunday mornings, and to stay connected while still keeping the joy of music in our lives through our Thursday rehearsals.
Our Interim Music Director is Kellie Walker Hart. Our pianist/organist is Eliza Thomas.
The church’s fine grand piano is thanks to a bequest a church member received from her father, who loved music. Installed in March 1997, the Yamaha grand is a beautiful instrument, sough by many performers, and used frequently in concerts.
Church members led a fundraising campaign to restore our 1866 Stevens Brothers tracker organ. This work was completed in phases by the Andover Organ Company in 2003.
Former UCM Music Director, Catherine Orr (1994-2014) was influential in making other area musicians aware of UCM’s excellent acoustics. Many outside groups are attracted to use the sanctuary for their concerts. Guest musicians are regularly invited to participate in Sunday services. UCM benefits from the richness of these exchanges.