Music
is a key element
of the spiritual
experience at First Parish Church. The spacious interior of our sanctuary,
unbroken by galleries or colonnades, possesses a lively acoustic that shows off
the sound of singers to advantage and highlights the clear, crisp
tones of our historic tracker-action organ, built in 1853.
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Organist and music
director Edwin Swanborn studied with Dr. Anthony Newman at the Juilliard
School of Music and is a noted harpsichordist as well, with a number of
recordings to his credit. Under his
direction, the annual Christmas Eve service has become
one of the
area's best-known liturgical musical events. Other highlights of the
year include the Easter service and our annual Music service in the
spring. Ed is also the
pianist for the Zamir Chorale of Boston and is on the staff of
Northeastern University and Hebrew College in Boston.
Through his musical connections he is able to bring
outstanding guest soloists to the church. In addition, from time to time
Ed organizes and performs in afternoon or evening concerts at the
church. For more information, see First Parish Staff
and Music Committee.
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The Senior
Choir, directed by Ed Swanborn, performs most Sunday mornings, September
through June. Everyone from high school age up who loves to sing is welcome to
join us on at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays in the church kitchen for coffee and donuts.
At 9:15 we move to the
sanctuary to rehearse the music that will be performed in the service that day.
There are no auditions, and the ability to read music, though desirable, is not
required; nor is a commitment to sing every week. The choir also performs
on special occasions such as the Christmas Eve Service, at concerts and other
services as decided by the director. |
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The Junior Choir
meets every Sunday from 9:30 to !0:20 a.m., downstairs
in the chapel. It is directed by Elaine Bryant, a retired public school music
teacher. Any child age 6-12 is invited to participate. We sing a wide variety of
songs that relate to church themes, play rhythm games, folk games and dances,
and use rhythm and melody instruments such as kazoos, boom-whackers and chimes.
The choir provides all of the music for the December Pageant, the February
Church School Play and "Balloon" Sunday in May, as well as participating in some
Family Sundays and Duxbury Interfaith Council events.
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Our handbell choir,
The Duxbury Chalice Ringers, rehearses
every Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m.
We play on 4½ octaves of Shulmerich handbells and 5 octaves of
chimes, difficulty level 2-4. We are always looking for new members.
Interested beginners who already read music are welcome to come to a
rehearsal. You'll be given a quick lift to your spirits! We perform
often in church and also for weddings, funerals, outreach to other
churches and organizations, and for special events. Our director is
Elaine Bryant. She may be reached through the church office. |
The Recorder Consort meets every Tuesday from 8:30 to 9:30 or 10
p.m. and is directed by Renate Winter, a member of the American Recorder
Society. We are usually a group of 4-8 players who play at least two of the
soprano, alto, tenor or bass recorders and enjoy a variety of musical styles. If
you already have experience in playing recorders, you are welcome to come to a
rehearsal and try it out. We perform several times a year during church
services. Renate may be reached through the church office.
Music Sunday,
an annual spring worship service sponsored by the Music
Committee, offers an opportunity for a wide variety of musicians in the
congregation, amateur and professional, young people and adults, to use their
talents for the joy of all. In addition, a number of folk, popular, rock and
classical musicians in the congregation perform as part of worship services from
time to time. Members and friends who are interested in performing during a
service may speak with the minister or the music director. |
