The collective voices of the First Parish’s choir will be heard at the October 5th worship service.
We are singing some beautiful music this month and for the whole 2025—26 season. Choosing music for the choir is a labor of love for me. I look through our large library of music; I pore through sheet music catalogs; I recall music that I heard at the Association of UU Music Ministries (AUUMM) conference this past July. I try to choose lyrics that fit us and fit our worship themes. I listen, I listen, and I listen. After I’ve chosen and purchased what I think are suitable anthems, we are ready for the season. Some of our pieces bring tears to my eyes, and that happened when I shared some of this music with Rev. Sophia. Most of our anthems become ear-worms to me.
In planning our repertoire, I take into account the monthly themes that guide our services through the year. Since the choir usually sings at the beginning of a month, I have tried to merge themes from the new month with that of the previous month. For example, on October 5th we will sing the anthems We are One and A Place for You, which bring together both September’s theme of “Belonging” and October’s of “Compassion.” In November we will sing on All Souls Day, again combining monthly themes: “Compassion,” along with November’s theme of “Abundance,” singing More Waters Rising and What Wondrous Love. Remember that monthly themes permeate the whole church year, not just the month when we focus on them.
Thinking of joining the First Parish Choir? We would love to have you! We rehearse on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 pm. We could especially use tenor and alto voices. The choir schedule for the year is posted on the church website. I’m happy to talk about your joining choir anytime!
Charlyn Bethell
Charlyn’s professional training has followed two paths: as a professional oboist and as a music teacher and conductor. As Music Director at First Parish, she joins these two paths of her musical life, conducting the choir, coordinating guest musicians, and performing on oboe.