Music is an important part of life at FPUU Church. Worship is celebrated with the help of a volunteer adult choir, children's choir, and many talented volunteer soloists. Many styles of music are heard on Sunday mornings. One Sunday you might hear classical organ or piano pieces and traditional hymns; the next worship service might be full of swinging gospel tunes and spirituals. You might hear a blues or jazz prelude, or folk songs and folk hymns. There are modern compositions by the best composers, and the occasional pop or rock song. If there is meaning for our lives, in the text or in the music, then you will probably hear it at our church. We are blessed with a minister who sings beautifully and plays the guitar, and encourages all of us to express ourselves with musical sound. Our congregation sings with gusto, and claps a great back-beat when the spirit moves.

A focal point of the music is the Adult Choir, which sings two Sundays a month during the school year. Rehearsing every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., we laugh, cry, and rejoice with each other through singing. Monthly potluck suppers before choir are famous for delicious food, fine fellowship, and the phrase, "I ate too much to sing." Choir is a family that takes very good care of its members, spouses, and children. Each year we celebrate with a Christmas party, and a "Welcome Summer" party. Sometimes the music is challenging, sometimes simple; sometimes we learn from printed music, and sometimes we learn by ear, or improvise our own harmonies. Anyone is welcome to join the choir at any time. No experience in singing or reading music is necessary, just a desire to sing, and a willingness to learn. There is childcare during all rehearsals, so that parents may participate in the singing.

Three years ago a Children's Choir was formed. It sings for 45 minutes on Thursday afternoons September through May, and once a month during the Sunday service. The members range in age from 5 to 13. They learn lots of songs and love to sing, clap, dance, and play rhythm instruments. Sometimes both choirs will sing a special piece together on a Sunday. The children have parties, too, and have been several times to Huntington Common and Atria housing sites to sing for the residents who find it difficult to come to church regularly.

Our congregation is blessed to have many people with fine solo voices. All are encouraged to volunteer for a Sunday service that suits them. We also have instrumentalists: a flute player, violinists, pianists, and a lot of good guitar players.

Director of Music

The Music Director at FPUU Church since September of 1989 is Kathy Rochon. She is a Bachelor of Music in Piano and a Master of Music in Voice, and became a UU church music director in 1978. She has been giving private lessons in piano and voice since 1974. As a charter officer in the fledgling UU Musician's Network, she directed the General Assembly Choir in 1982, and has been actively promoting music in the wider community of the Northeast District and the UU Association since that time.

As a singer, pianist, choir director, organist, and teacher, Kathy continually changes hats to provide for the musical needs of the church. Her life's work is to help each person she encounters express the music that is in their soul. Kathy's music ministry is based on her belief that everyone can sing - some folks just haven't figured out how to do it yet.