Feb5
Private Rehearsal
Thursday, February 05, 2026, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Worship Through Music
Music brings us together, comforts us when we grieve, and helps our spirits soar. Many volunteer musicians work together to create the music ministry we experience each Sunday.
The Choir
Our unique choir sings three Sundays each month, providing several anthems and all service music. On other Sundays, our music staff or guest musicians (including many from our congregation!) provide beautiful solo and ensemble music.
Several times a year our choir is joined by guest musicians for special Music Sundays. Music truly is at the heart of our worship life as a congregation. All are welcome to join the choir; there are no auditions. The choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7-9pm and on Sundays from 8:45-9:45am. Contact Director of Music Dr. Allegra Martin for more information or to join the choir.
Artists-in-Residence
First Unitarian Church is fortunate to have among our membership several talented instrumentalists who perform at a professional level. The title of "Artist in Residence" is a way for our church to thank and honor those members of our congregation and community who share their gifts with us regularly and freely. We appreciate them immensely!
- Wendy Ardizzone, piano
- Dave Blodgett, guitar and accordion
- Madeline Browning, flute
- Noel Cary, clarinet, alto sax, and soprano sax
- Bill Fisher, bass
- Bob Gordon, percussion
- Sten Gustavson, piano and keyboards
- Jim Kassal, bassoon
- Ken Melnick, clarinet
- Toni Ostrow, bass
- Becky Spanagel, piano
Young Artists-in-Residence
A part of our music program’s mission is to develop and encourage young talent both within our church and in the larger Worcester community. This program is open to juniors and seniors in high school, and each year we have one or two students who share their music with us through this program. Since January of 2025, our Young Artist-in-Residence has been Shannon Favela.
Shannon Favela, a Junior at Sutton High School, has been playing bassoon for 6 years. She is the principal bassoonist of the Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra, and plays in numerous other school and community ensembles. She has enjoyed expanding her musical horizons by playing the saxophone, flute, and clarinet in jazz groups. In addition to performance, she has arranged and composed works for orchestras, wind ensembles, and solo performances.
Supplemental support for our music program comes from generous donors through the Sherwood Encore Fund.