Music Program Enriches Services

Music has a rich history of professional and lay leadership and a vibrant role in services at FUSN. The music is chosen to complement each worship service; consequently, the musical styles vary. In addition to professional staff, a number of professional and amateur musicians offer their considerable talents in classical, jazz, folk, and world idioms to enhance the worship services. The congregation is encouraged to participate in each service with hymn singing and instant choir opportunities.

News

• Follow the FUSNArts '09-'10 Calendar for events throughout the year

Several ensembles have sprung from congregational impetus: the Gospel Choir, the drumming ensemble, CreationDance, and the inter-generational chamber orchestra. The music budget includes monies for occasional guest artists, which have included drummers from Mali, professional Baroque trumpet players, and Klezmer musicians.

Singers of Diverse Ages

The volunteer Chancel Choir of experienced and novice singers is open to any adult interested in a rewarding choral music experience-one that provides many opportunities for members to experience spirituality and community through music. The music ranges from classical through contemporary, jazz and folk. The choir performs two anthems and two responses at most services. On Music Sunday and other occasions, the choir presents extended choral works by classical composers such as Bach, Handel, or Vaughan Williams. Currently, two professional singers, a soprano and a bass, support the volunteer singers.

The choir provides a smaller community within the larger congregation where the volunteer members can make friends and deepen their connections to the society. The choir rehearses every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall and every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. in the Sanctuary before service. Auditions are not required and visitors considering joining the choir are most welcome to attend a rehearsal or to contact the director by phone:  617-527-3203 or by email: awborn [at] comcast [dot] net.

Songweavers is the children's choral ensemble at FUSN. The children are learning about music and singing in a variety of styles suitable for the worship services. Several times a year they perform during the service, both on their own and in concert with the senior choir. The Songweavers rehearse Sunday mornings, 9.30am in the Children's Chapel.

Instruments in the Sanctuary and Beyond

Instruments in the Sanctuary include a 1911 Hook & Hastings four-manual organ that supports the congregation in singing hymns and the choir in singing its repertoire. The organ is also used to offer solo music from all periods of pipe organ composition. A five foot, ten and one-half-inch Model L Steinway is used for services and occasionally for concerts.

Other instruments include an Estey Reed Organ in the Children's Chapel. Originally a pump organ, it has been electrified. There are upright pianos in the Children's Chapel and Parish Hall. Eleven tower bells, comprising a Westminster Peal, make possible regular chiming by trained volunteers before and after services and an occasional chiming concert for the community. Finally, five drums - djembes and tubanos - provide West African-style hand drumming for a small group of enthusiasts.

Music Staff

• Anne Watson Born, director of music ministry at FUSN,
  
  is also the music director of the Nashoba Valley Chorale and an adjunct professor at Roxbury Community College in Boston. Ms. Born was for many years an assistant professor at Bristol Community College; she was also the music director of the Brookline Chorus. She is the founding artistic director of the Women's Chorus of Boston and the Avenue of the Arts Chorale. Ms. Watson Born holds a BA degree in music from University of the Pacific and a master's degree in choral conducting from New England Conservatory. She lives in Brookline with her husband, Rick, her daughter, Sophie.
• FUSN Music Director Emerita Roberta Berry Humez is a singer, conductor, pianist, and founding director emerita of Youth Pro Musica. An active member of UUMN, AGO, and ACDA, she serves on several music boards and civic arts enterprises. Since 1962 she has worked with a dozen organists and served under seven ministers in this society. Ms. Humez retired in 2007 and was named director emerita after serving the society for 45 years.
• Carson Cooman, organist at FUSN, is an American composer with a catalogue of works in many forms: ranging from solo instrumental pieces to operas, and from orchestral works to hymn tunes. He is in continual demand for new commissions, and his music has been performed on all six inhabited continents. His work is published primarily by Musik Fabrik, Lauren Keiser Music Publishing, and Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. Cooman's music appears on over twenty-five recordings, including ten complete CDs on the Naxos, Albany, Artek, and Zimbel labels. Cooman's primary composition studies have been with Bernard Rands, Judith Weir, Alan Fletcher, and James Willey. As an active concert organist, Cooman specializes exclusively in the performance of new music. Over 130 new works have been composed for him by composers from around the world, and his performances of the work of contemporary composers can be heard on a number of CD recordings. Cooman is also a writer on musical subjects, producing articles and reviews frequently for a number of international publications. He serves as an active consultant on music business matters to composers and performing organizations. For more information, visit www.carsoncooman.com.