Music at JUC

Music Ministry

Music at Jefferson Unitarian Church plays a vital role in the ministry of the church, providing important elements of Sunday worship services, opportunities for participation, avenues for outreach, and ways to connect with the larger community

MUSIC STAFF

MINISTER OF MUSIC Keith Arnold has served at JUC since 1997. He has a Doctorate in the History and Performance of Choral Music from the University of Colorado. Keith has conducted the national UU General Assembly Chorus and is Artistic Director of Denver’s annual Interfaith Music Festival. Keith Co-chaired the national conference of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network (UUMN) in 2005, and from 2008 – 2010 he will be the President of the UUMN. Outside the church, he is Artistic Director of the Arvada Center Chorale. He has studied Renaissance music techniques and literature in England with Tallis Scholars conductor Peter Phillips, and has conducted a choral concert tours of Bulgaria, England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

ACCOMPANIST Caitlin Sugishita recently completed her M.M. in Piano Performance at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she studied with Doris Pridonoff Lehnert. She has won numerous regional competitions including MTNA and the Nancy Clark Piano Competition. Caitlin has also performed at the International Piano Festival in Houston, Texas. She has participated in masterclasses throughout both the United States and Europe given by such artists as Mischa Dichter, Yefim Bronfman and Eugene Pridonoff. Caitlin is active in the Boulder area as a performer, teacher and accompanist.

MUSIC MINISTRY INTERN Sarah Billerbeck has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Maryland. She also holds a Level III Orff Schulwerk certificate. Sarah has taught music to people of all ages from babies to adults in both the public schools and in various churches. She is the founder of the Whole Note Music Academy, which provides classes in music and movement for children and their parents. Her son Luke, who happens to have Down Syndrome, has further inspired her to investigate the link between language development and music, something which is reflected in her teaching and which benefits all children.

JUC CHOIR

Rehearsals: Wednesday nights, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Director: Keith Arnold 303-279-5282 x17
Accompanist: Caitlin Sugishita

The JUC CHOIR and its subgroup, the JUC SINGERS, provide music for two Sundays every month, drawing on repertoire from many sources: Western Classical choral music, African-American spirituals and gospel, music of Unitarian Universalist composers, music in Hebrew, Spanish, and Swahili.

The JUC CHOIR presents an Annual Choir Service, often in conjunction with a guest choir. Music for this service has included Jackson Berkey’s "Native American Ambiances," G. F. Handel’s Chandos Anthem #6, and programs with smaller works including Franz Biebl’s "Ave Maria" and the South African chant "Somaguaza," and movements from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem along with UU composer Jim Scott’s Missa Gaia. On Christmas Eve, the CHOIR and guests present a half hour of music before the candlelight service.

The JUC CHOIR and SINGERS have sung for the annual meeting of the Mountain Desert District, the annual meeting of Denver’s Interfaith Council, Columbine Unitarian Church, the Unitarian Fellowship of Boulder, and Faith Lutheran Church.

To join the JUC CHOIR, please contact Keith Arnold or come visit a Wednesday night choir rehearsal. Newcomers and vistors are always welcome, no auditions required.

First Friday Open Mic at JUC

Music is a big part of our community... let's share the best of our best at JUC's First Friday Open Mic. Starting Friday, October 5th, "FFOM @ JUC" will be a casual evening of free entertainment provided by our area's finest singers, songwriters and musicians. Spread the word-- fine acoustic music, an excellent sound system, appreciative audiences and a welcoming community at JUC. Simple refreshments, including beer & wine, will be sold. Performing slots will be either two or three songs each set-- depending on the number of performers. If you've been waiting for a chance to let your little light shine, sign up is at 6:50, music starts at 7-- every first Friday at JUC. Questions? Contact Steve or Chris Sealy at csealy@denverfilmdigital.com or 303 232-7156.

MUSIC FOR CHILDREN and YOUTH

Children's Choir

Rehearsals: Tuesday nights,4:30 to 5:00 p.m.., Priestley Room
Directors: Keith Arnold (303-279-5282 x13) and Bob Hofmann

The JUC CHILDREN'S CHOIR is open to children ages 4 through first grade. In weekly practices, the choir learns music for Sunday services, learns pitch matching and rhythm skills, and plays musical games.

Radiance Choir

Rehearsals: Tuesday afternoons, 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.., Priestley Room
Director: David Burrows

Our second through fifth grade choir sings for Sunday services, learns Kodaly hand signs for ear-training and music reading, uses tone chimes for skill development, and has sung independently, with the Children's Choir, with the JUC Ringers, and with the JUC Choir.

Junior High Choir

Rehearsals: Tuesday afternoons, 5:15 - 6:00, Sanctuary
This ensemble for sixth through eighth grades sings for worship services, leads hymns and Morningsong, and works on more advanced music.

JUC RINGERS

Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Director: Keith Arnold

Playing on three octaves of Schulmerich Handbells.

HEALING POWER OF MUSIC

The Music Ministry Group maintains a "Healing Power of Music Library." The library consists of CDs to assist with Pain Control, Relaxation, Surgery; and books on "The Healing Power of Sound."

People undergoing surgery report that the music helps to take the edge off of their nervousness going into the surgery. One JUC patient reported that she needed less anesthesia than expected due to the music.

Please contact Keith to explore the Healing Power of Music Library.

MUSIC MINISTRY GROUP

Facilitator: Bev Curtiss

The MUSIC GROUP supports the Minister of Music in determining the entire scope of Music Ministry at Jefferson Unitarian Church: music for Sunday worship services, musical ensembles for adults and children,
musical outreach, and opportunities for making and listening to music outside worship services.

The GROUP works closely with the Ministers and Religious Services Group to select forms of musical expression which are diverse and imaginative, reflecting the musical tastes of the whole congregation.

THIN AIR: AN ECLECTIC ENSEMBLE

Coordinator: Bob Stelzer (303-986-0310)

This group meets weekly for musical fellowship. All instruments and levels of ability are welcome to join and make joyful music. Contact Bob Stelzer for details.

SPECIAL MUSIC AT JUC

JUC members and invited musicians often play an important role in worship services. The congregation is gifted with many talented pianists, songwriters, instrumentalists, and choir who generously contribute to the services. In addition, invited musicians from the community and visiting musicians from our denomination frequently present on Sunday mornings, with diverse offerings: singer-songwriter Peter Mayer, the Augustana Arts Woodwind Quintet, as well as harpists, flautists, pianists, and our own Evergreen Quartet, Quadratic Equation (women's vocal quartet), Pitchblende (men's vocal quartet), and the JUC Chamber Players.

SEASONAL AND OCCASIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: INTERGENERATIONAL HOLIDAY PAGEANT

All ages are invited to participate in the Annual Holiday Pageant, with rehearsals on Saturdays in November and December. Past pageants have included UU composer Joyce Poley’s "Spirit of the Christmas Tree" and "Would you like to hold the baby," John Rutter’s "Brother Heinrich’s Christmas," and a celebration of Hanukkah, Advent, and Yule entitled "December Lights."

FAMILY BAND

Rehearsals: December Sundays, 12:15 p.m.

A 40+ year intergenerational tradition at JUC! All who play instruments are invited to prepare Christmas carols for the Family Christmas Eve service.

MUSIC CLASSES

In conjunction with the Continuing Religious Education Group, periodic classes in Music Appreciation, Sight-singing, and Conducting are offered.