Our music ministry is having a very busy year. Here are some upcoming highlights:
- On Sunday, December 4th at 5:00 PM, our concert series Music In Montclair returns, with the “Powerhouse Pianists” Stephen Gosling and Blair McMillen. They will be performing an exciting program that includes the world premiere of a new work for two pianos by our composer-in-residence, Dr. Tom Parente.
- Not quite feeling the holiday spirit this year? We have just the event for you! “The Stearns Matthews Christmas Special” on Saturday, December 17th, at 7:30 PM, with our incomparable Assistant Music Director in the title role, will help put you in the mood. The first half will be compromised of Maury Yeston’s song cycle December Songs, and the second half will harken back to the holiday Christmas specials we all love to recall.
- Our newly formed Youth Band is gearing up to provide music for the Sunday service on December 18th.
- The Holiday Choir is about to start rehearsing for the candlelight service on Christmas Eve. If you would like to sing, please note the following rehearsal times: Wed, Dec. 7 (7:30pm), Sun, Dec. 11 (12:30pm), Wed, Dec. 14 (7:30pm), Sun, Dec. 18 (11:30am), Wed, Dec. 21 (7:30pm) and Fri, Dec. 23 (7:30pm – FINAL DRESS). Attendance is required for at least four of the six dates, and everyone must be at the final dress rehearsal.
- On Sunday, January 22nd, at 4:00 PM we are hosting the 4th annual Montclair Interfaith Choir Festival. Get ready for a joyful noise!
- Our Chalice Choir will travel to Central Unitarian Church in Paramus to join forces with their choir on February 5th; on the following Sunday both ensembles will sing together in the services at UU Montclair.
And there’s more to come… but you probably get the idea by now. The thing is, we’re not just putting up projects so that we can point to them as examples of our vibrant congregational life (although that is a nice benefit as we are about to enter the “hot phase” of our search for a new settled minister). More importantly, each of these undertakings is connected to the mission of our congregation – to transform our hearts, homes, community, and the world.
Enjoy the season!
Markus Grae-Hauck
Music Director