Music

First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington has a lively and enthusiastic music program at the heart of its ministry. Our services feature a variety of musical styles including classical, jazz, ethnic, popular and folk music.  Under the leadership of our new Music Director Dr. Daniel Parsley who joined First Parish in 2023-2024 as Interim Director and then appointed as our settled Music Director in the summer of 2024, over 85 staff, volunteer and guest musicians will grace our services annually. We have two concert grand pianos and a historic 1870 Hook organ, which was installed in 1985.

Congregational singing at First Parish helps us bond together in fellowship each week. In addition to our traditional hymnal, First Parish has compiled our own Singing Towards Justice! Songbook, which champions racial and social justice equality.

Our Adult Choir sings most Sundays and presents one to four selections per service. In recent years, music-centered services have highlighted major choral works by Bernstein, Fauré, Haydn, Levitt and Rutter, and selections by contemporary composers such as BE Boykin, Ola Gjeilo, Mark Miller, and Eric Whitacre. Local FP composers Jennifer Kobayashi, Kenneth Seitz and Diane Taraz have frequently dedicated original songs and arrangements for special occasions.

Vocalists and instrumentalists are an integral part of our Sunday and holiday services, and of annual events such as the Harvest Moon Cafe and Ferry Beach weekend, Community Sings, and lay ministry visits for those who cannot attend services.  Participating groups include a Handbell Choir and C Winds (flute ensemble) as well as soloists, song leaders, youth musicians and others. If you’re interested in joining a choir, instrumental ensemble and/or wish to perform for a service, please email us at music@ firstparish.info.

Music-Centered Services

Twice per year, we present a music-centered service at First Parish Arlington in which a larger work, or unified group of works, takes the place of some of the spoken elements of our service. These services include extra guest musicians such as professionals, college students, or a collaboration with another church or a youth orchestra.

December Advent services generally take place during on the second and third weeks of Advent. Christmas Eve services (two services) typically feature a brass ensemble and organ.

Fall Music Sunday in November generally focus on a Requiem or another large choral piece of a single composer.

Spring Music Sundays generally take place a month before Easter.