Make A Joyful Noise!

Come, make a joyful noise with us!

Music – with its limitless capacity to inspire, soothe, energize, comfort, and delight – has long been at the heart of worship at First Parish in Cambridge. Our vibrant music program seeks to meet the moment when words alone cannot. Our Sunday worship services incorporate a great diversity of musical forms, traditions and ensembles, from inspiring individual vocal and instrumental performances to eclectic and powerful choral music and congregational singing. For any inquiries or to become involved with the music ministry at First Parish, please contact Director of Music, Jen Hayman, at jhayman@firstparishcambridge.org.

Lend your voice to our song!

Twice a month, our First Parish Choir leads music for worship under the direction of our new Director of Music, Jen Hayman. Jen has an extensive background in Unitarian Universalism, choral music and pop music, and incorporates all of this into a vibrant musical experience for worship. The choir rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 pm – 9:00 p. There is no audition to participate in the First Parish choir, but ability to read music and handle a fast-paced learning environment is a plus. The choir is a community within a community, and offers a great opportunity to meet other congregants, create and share beauty, and learn about a variety of styles and musical traditions.

Our Jazz Sundays, led by keyboardist Joe Reid and a professional jazz combo, are offered once monthly. These services celebrate the power and freedom of improvisation, and highlight music from the jazz, pop, and folk genres, and often feature our amazing vocal soloists and choir section leaders.

Once a month, gospel choral director and pianist Linda Brown-San Martin lends her charismatic leadership and inspired style. Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass section leaders strengthen our choir, and offer options for solos and ensembles. If your musical comfort zone includes learning and singing in the oral tradition (ie without printed scores), please consider joining Linda and the gospel choir for their once monthly services!

At First Parish in Cambridge, we strive for music that provides opportunities for deepening connections with each other and with our spiritual sources. Services typically include participatory music that physically engages the congregation, such as call-and-response singing and traditional hymns.

Do you appreciate the unique ability of music to enhance human and spiritual connections and have ideas about how to make that happen? Consider joining our Music Ministry Team! Please contact Mara Vorhees (mvoorhees@msn.com) or Irene Merwin (irrom1@gmail.com).

And if you play an instrument or would be interested in helping to form a children’s choir, please contact Jen Hayman, Joe Reid, or a member of the Music Team. We’d love to hear from you!