When you step into our sanctuary, you'll notice painted tapestries, stained glass windows, the glint of organ pipes, and the history behind the wooden floors and pews.  But when a note is played, a chord is struck, or a voice is lifted, you'll feel the beauty and warmth of this sacred space.  Music is an essential part of worship here at First Universalist.  It helps us to go "beyond words."  Musical selections cover a broad range of styles and genres, from classical to contemporary to folk, and are carefully selected by our Music Director to reflect that Sunday's theme. Our choir rehearses every Sunday morning from September to June, and their voices regularly fill the sanctuary during service. Our congregation is blessed with many talented musicians, and we are especially grateful to have Keith Stott, a living composer in our congregation. 

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Eastman At Washington Square - Fall 2023 Season

We enjoy hosting free concerts presented by the Eastman School of Music every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. throughout the school year, running for roughly 30-45 minutes. The complete schedule can be found at the Eastman Community Music School website.  Admission is free.  

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Fall 2024 Performances:

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The Eastman Community Music School is proud to present free weekly concerts featuring artists from the Eastman School of Music and ECMS. Faculty and Student Performances from both schools offer an excellent opportunity to hear some of the best musicians that Rochester has to offer and all performances are absolutely free!

 

October  17
Fall Piano Extravaganza

Featuring pianists Jingning and Fenglei Wang from the studio of Professor Kobrin. Enjoy the music of Bach, Ravel, and Bartok.​

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October  24
Music for Clarinet and Piano

Victor Ni, clarinet, and Samuel Leung, piano, perform the music of Schumann, Widor, and Copland.

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October  31
Hallowing Musical Treats

A spooky selection of vocal repertoire from Classical Song, Opera, Musical Theatre, and Jazz presented by faculty, staff, and students from the Eastman Community Music School.  ​

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November 7
ONYX Clarinet Quartet

The ONYX Clarinet Quartet, comprised of Terry Gerber, Laurie Dobmeier, Roxanne Woy, and Alan Woy, was formed in 2010. The program will feature a wide variety of musical styles including classical, pop, jazz, klezmer, and traditional American and Latin music. 

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November 14

Early Music for the Lute Family

Pedro Teorba and friends present repertory for a few insurments from the lute family by underrepresented Latin-American baroque composers alongside European renaissance canonical works for the lute. This concert is presented in conjunction with the Rochester Early Music Festival.

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November 21
Autumn Serenade

Cecile Saine, soprano, and Howard Spindler, piano, with Guests: Susan Cotroneo, Jim Grab, and Mark Daniels perform familiar Duets and Trios.

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December 5
Music from 100 Years Ago/Hits from 1924 Celebrating their 100th Birthday

Pianist Tony Caramia presents a sampling of wonderful popular songs from 1924, that have become standards. Guest performers include students from the studio of Sara Gazarek, Professor of Jazz Voice.

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December 12
Daphne Piano Trio

Graduate Eastman students violinist Chihiro Kakishima, cellist Hannah Sohn, and pianist Huipng Cai perform trio by Ravel.​

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Our Hope-Jones, Opus 2 Pipe Organ Circa 1908

Robert Hope-Jones is not exactly a household name, yet his innovations in organ building have profoundly influenced the history of the instrument in the 20th century. First Universalist is very fortunate to be connected with the Hope-Jones legacy in a very significant way, for it possesses one of the few surviving Hope-Jones organs in its original form.