Musing
I am very grateful to be going on sabbatical from April – June; I’m definitely ready to recharge these old batteries J. While I’m away, various people will be running rehearsals and leading worship on Sunday mornings. Some of these people are:
Amelia LeClair, longtime FUUSN member, will be conducting the choir (and all of you, in the Hallelujah Chorus!) on Easter Sunday, April 9. Amy is founder and director of Cappella Clausura, an ensemble of voices and instruments specializing in music written by women from the eighth century to the present day. Ms. LeClair is a Resident Scholar in the Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center.
Linnea Bardarson will be leading rehearsals and conducting on several Sundays. Linnea resides in Dedham, where she served as Music Director at First Church and Parish, Unitarian-Universalist, from 2007-2018. Before that she was Music Director at First Congregational Church in Somerville for ten years. She teaches piano at UMass/Boston and Dedham School of Music. She leads singing workshops on Star Island, accompanies all choruses in the Dedham Public Schools, and enjoys playing the banjo for fun. Especially on Star Island.
Kevin Harris, our bass soloist, will conduct in the worship service on April 30; he will also continue to anchor our bass section and will also provide music for the May 28 service.
Kevin Harris is an emerging professional bass originally from Upton, MA. Kevin is also passionate about Voice Science and Pedagogy, and holds a private studio out of his home in Medford, MA. Kevin holds a Master of Music in Vocal Arts and Opera from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Ithaca College.
Of course, our esteemed organist, Carson Cooman, will be holding the fort throughout; we are so fortunate to be able to hear Carson play each week. Carson is an American composer with a catalog of hundreds of works in many forms—from solo instrumental pieces to operas, and from orchestral works to hymn tunes. His music has been performed on all six inhabited continents in venues that range from the stage of Carnegie Hall to the basket of a hot air balloon. As an active concert organist, Cooman specializes in the performance of contemporary music. Over 300 new compositions by more than 100 international composers have been written for him. For more information, visit www.carsoncooman.com.
Carson will be occasionally spelled by Robert Humphreville, our favorite silent film accompanist and improviser extraordinaire. Robert is active as a freelance accompanist, organist, and vocal coach throughout greater Boston.
Our Sabbatical Committee will be managing rehearsals and working with Parisa to keep the worship services running smoothly. Many, many thanks to: George Batchelor, Brian Hicks, Natalie Jensen, Debra Minard, Jacki Rohan.
- Anne Watson Born