Music

Ken Bissell, Director of Bells, Bea Ann Phillips, Children & Youth Choir Director, Bob Griffith, Director of Creative Arts

Music is vital to the life of UUCA

You will find many opportunities to discover, develop and share your creativity:

Clerestory Choir

Our adult Clerestory Choir sings in worship services on Sundays. Recent performing destinations included Ireland, Wales, and New Orleans. For over 50 years, our annual spring choral concerts with orchestra have featured major opuses, including Mass for the Children, Requiem, and Gloria by John Rutter;  Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Symphony of Psalms by Igor Stravinsky; Carmina Burana by Carol Orff; works by J. S. Bach (Magnificat in D Major, St. Matthew Passion, and motets); and Requiem settings by Faure, Mozart, Rutter and Brahms. Contact:  bob.griffith@uucava.org

UUCA Offers Wonderful Choral Opportunities

For Children and youth
One of the most rewarding, confidence and community-building experiences we offer for the children and youth of UUCA is through music-making!

Our Children and Youth Choirs offer a wonderful opportunity for children and youth to learn, share and strengthen our UU values, build relationships and a sense of belonging within and outside our UUCA community, all within a safe, positive environment designed to encourage young singers and have fun with music!

Chalice Choir—for Kindergarten through 3rd graders-- meets in the Chapel (on the lower level) each week between services, 10:30-11:05am and sings 6-8 times in services and for community outreach and other events outside UUCA each year. All children—including enthusiastic pre-school singers, and non-members of UUCA--are welcome!

4th – 6th graders looking for a bit more challenge, autonomy, and opportunity for leadership, may join the TrUUbadours.  This vocal ensemble meets each Sunday in the Chapel (lower level) from 12:30pm – 1:00pm.  TrUUbadours also sing 6-8 times per year, both in and outside of UUCA.

The Youth Choir is a dynamic group of teens, 7th – 12th grade, who enjoy singing a variety of (mostly) contemporary music. We meet each week in the Sanctuary from 1:00pm – 1:45pm. The Youth Choir sings 5-7 times in service plus social outreach and other events.

The emphasis for each Choir is to learn and sing music we enjoy, to have fun while building both community and confidence through singing, to foster a healthy and satisfying way to express ourselves, and to further our understanding of our UU values. All three groups are open to all children and youth both inside and outside the UUCA community—no auditions necessary.
For more information, please contact Bea Ann Phillips.

Handbell Program

Three performing bell groups that perform at the church and in the Washington metro area. Ages begin first grade through adult. Contact: Ken Bissell, ken.bissell@uucava.org

Chalice Theatre

This intergenerational activity promotes the creative vision of the church through dramatic arts presentations. Each year a spring musical production is presented. Staged readings are also presented.  Contact: Crystal Black

Recital Series

Offers three formal concerts each year.  Performances include a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, big band, folk, and contemporary. Selection is by audition. Contact: Bea Ann Phillips

Second Street Singers

A 22-voice chamber choir, by audition. Contact: Bob Griffith, bob.griffith@uucava.org

Coffee House

An evening of intergenerational music, poetry, humor, and other creative expressions held three times a year. Contact: Beth Rager

Solo Performances

Skilled musicians with solo performing experience are encouraged to participate in Sunday services. Contact: Bob Griffith.

Upcoming