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Music at First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church
The First Jefferson Choir is a volunteer organization consisting of a core of 16-20 voices and performs a musical repertoire that includes both sacred and secular pieces ranging from Renaissance to 20th Century. Membership in the choir is open to interested singers of all ages, either as "regulars" for the full year or for specific concerts or other shorter periods of commitment. Contact Roy Redman for further information, or simply attend a regular rehearsal.
In addition to singing for the church's regular Sunday worship services, the choir presents major works in several concerts each year with orchestral accompaniment by musicians drawn from the congregation and from local musical groups. Recent works performed include the following:
- Daniel Pinkham. Fanfares
- Vivaldi. Gloria
- Dave Brubeck. Earth is Our Mother.
The FJUUC Choir performed the Texas Premiere of this work,
Spring 2000.- Randall Thompson. Testament of Freedom
- Edward Elgar. The Music Makers
Roy Redman, Director, FJUUC Choir
Roy Redman is a professional musician and a master organ builder. He holds the Bachelor of Arts Degree in music from North Texas State University, and the Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Sacred Music from Southern Methodist University. In addition to having built or restored many church organs throughout the United States, Roy has been Minister of Music at a number of churches. Roy has directed the choir at FJUUC since its formation.
Andrey
Ponochevny, Pianist
Andrey is from Belarus, and graduated from the Minsk Music Conservatory in 2001. He has won many worldwide prizes, including the bronze medal from the Tchaikovsky International musical Competition in Moscow 2002. He is currently an artist certificate student at TCU, and plans to be in Fort Worth about two years. Our former pianist Chuifun Poon, who recommended Andrey for FJUUC, will continue as his substitute when he is out of town. Welcome Andrey!
Rehearsal Schedule: The
FJUUC Choir has a regular rehearsal during the academic year on Wednesday evenings at 7:30
and a refresher rehearsal Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. Summers a weekly pick-up
choir rehearses briefly before the Sunday Service at
10:30 a.m.
The Spectrum Chamber Group
The Spectrum, founded in 1986, is the oldest chamber group in Fort Worth. The group grew from a string quartet that played in the sanctuary of FJUUC to honor of two members of the congregation. Entranced by the fine acoustics of the sanctuary, the group decided to set up a series of regular chamber performances at First Jefferson.
When the founding manager of the group, first violinist Janet Bond, moved away from the Metroplex, violist Dave Hermann, Associate Principal Violist of the FW Symphony, stepped in to take on multiple tasks: recruiting musicians, mostly from the Fort Worth Symphony, choosing music, printing programs and mailouts and acting as stagehand.
The sanctuary at First Jefferson offers a perfect intimate setting for chamber music, and close proximity to the musicians allows listeners to appreciate their impeccable playing. Both the membership and the repertoire of the group is increasing, and each concert offers a delicious combination of familiar favorites and exciting new or less familiar pieces. On many evenings, several small subgroups may play, increasing the diversity of these elegant concerts even more.
The Spectrum, which has been regularly reviewed by Fort Worth Star Telegram music critic Wayne Lee Gay since the group began, has developed a devoted local following and has recently expanded its concert venues as well, playing a series of programs at First United Methodist in Fort Worth, as well as continuing the original series at First Jefferson.