Mark Slegers, Minister of Music
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Mission:  In fellowship, the Music and Arts Committee nurtures artistic excellence and spiritual growth, rooted within UU values, for all who wish to blossom through artistic expression.  May all hands, all voices, all ages flourish.

The music program at Portland’s First Unitarian Church is the largest music program in the denomination with some 300 volunteer musicians of all ages participating.  It is steeped in excellence.  We consider the presentation of our music to the congregation not as performance, but as gift-giving, a gift of the spirit that flows through us and our music and is shared with the congregation as we all worship together.  Consequently the program is cherished by all.  The sense of community is strong in each of the ensembles listed below and it is built intentionally through ritual, individual call to ministry, working together and celebration.

The First Unitarian Church music staff is first rate.  Signe Lusk our pianist and Joe O’Donnell our organist both play at worship services and often more than one choir will participate in worship.  This gives our worship richness of style, and variety of culture and musical color.  Our children and youth music directors are the best in their fields and understand the role of music and choir community for kids (Please see below)

ADULT CHOIR PROGRAM

All adult choirs at 1st Church have in common singers who want to accomplish and learn all they can in order to share their gifts in worship.  There are fine singers in all choirs and all choirs are dedicated to presenting music excellently.  The Chalice Choir and New Women's Choir are open to all singers without an audition.  Individuals who would like to be in the Unitarian and Chamber Choirs need to have a placement session singing for Mark.

Chalice Choir meets Monday evening, 6-7:15 p.m. and is open to all who would like to make choral singing part of their life experience.  Chalice Choir is considered the choir to join if one has only a limited time (one Sunday per month) to devote to this process.  As a result, Chalice Choir is a nice mix of experienced and newly-minted singers, even though choristers are not auditioned.  Because rehearsal time is short our music is not as difficult as in the other two choirs.  Musical repertoire focuses on world music, with a smattering of many styles.  The foundation of Chalice Choir is a safe environment to learn, grow, and give one's gifts of music to this community and to the church.  Contact Mark Slegers, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Women's Choir meets Wednesday evening, 6-7:15pm and is open to all women and female youth (7th-12th grade).  This choir is still new, having been formed this past fall (and is still searching for the perfect name), but we are now 30 members strong and are developing a beautiful and dynamic sound together. Similar to Chalice Choir, we have singers with varyinging levels of choral experience who support one another and grow together with an emphasis on musical and vocal skill-building.  We bring our music to Sunday worship once a month, usually to the 11:15 Eliot Chapel service. Our repertoire ranges from contemporary, folk, and gospel styles to Clasical and World music.  We have plenty of room for more singers.  If you would like to join in the fun, please contact John Boelling, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Unitarian Choir rehearses Wednesday nights, 7-9 p.m.  An optional Joys & Concern time and social gathering with refreshments follow each rehearsal.  This choir has a 50 year history of service and high caliber musical presentations here at the church and on tours, including Eastern Europe, Canada and Cuba.  The Unitarian Choir presents a varied repertoire of musical styles from classical works, early to modern, to challenging world music.  The Unitarian Choir will continue in this same vein of musical achievement presenting music in services and at other possible venues, about twice per month.  Contact Mark Slegers, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Chamber Choir rehearses Monday evenings 7:30-9:15 p.m., followed by Joys & Concerns and a social time with refreshments.  This group sings the most challenging music from a wide variety of choral styles, and requires a rapid pace in rehearsal.  This choir of 40 singers formed in 2002, presents music about twice per month at worship and at other venues in the community.  Contact Mark Slegers, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rehearsal Schedule
Monday:
6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.:  Chalice Choir
7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.:  Chamber Choir

Wednesday: 6 - 7:15 p.m.:  New Choir
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.:  Unitarian Choir

Sunday Worship Services – 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary and also at
11:15 in the Elliot Chapel.  Rehearsal begins in the Sanctuary promptly at 8:25 unless otherwise announced. Choirs sing for both services, but usually exit before second sermon (11:45 a.m.).
A choir coming to sing just the 11:15 in Elliot Chapel will meet there to rehearse at 10:25 unless otherwise announced.

Music and Worship Services
Unitarian and Chamber Choirs: Offered four times each year in November, December, February, May  
Saturday rehearsal preceding Music and Worship Service is typically from 9 a.m. – 12 noon

Retreats
Chalice Choir: 2 Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 noon, fall and winter
Chamber Choir : Friday night/Saturday in the fall at Menucha
Unitarian Choir : Saturday/Sunday, first week-end of November at Menucha

Special Music Events
Performances and rehearsals in addition to Worship Services
Volunteer support for fundraising, concert/recital receptions, event support, event planning, possible tour

Choir Participation Fee
The choir fee is$45 per chorister, $90 for the family (including choirs for children and youth) for those who pledge to the church.  It is $90 per chorister, $160 for an entire family for choristers who do not pledge. 

Monday is Family Music Night
Monday Night Music is for the whole family. We have choirs for all ages that occur about the same time.  It’s our hope that parents will sing in Chalice Choir while children attend their age-appropriate group.  A 5:30 p.m. soup, salad and bread supper provides nourishment and fellowship, and allows an early rehearsal start time (and bedtime) for most participants.

Growth in musical skills, finding community in UU values and having fun with music are equally stressed in our children and youth choirs.   More intimate than school music, our program gives children many more one-on-one experiences with our fine, loving staff and greater opportunity for kids to “shine.” We want to give children the opportunity to explore spirituality and grow musically and personally through music making and the fellowship of choral participation, regardless of musical background or perceived "talent."

CHILDREN AND YOUTH CHOIR PROGRAM

Sophia Singers 

Sophia Singers is our youngest group of singers designed to meet the developmental needs of kinder, first and second graders. We play musical games that involve singing and movement as we explore our voices, learn how to follow a director, and have fun making music together. Sophia Singers may perform occasionally but more emphasis is given to the process. This calendar year (2011-2012) Sophia Singers will meet between Sunday services 10:30-11:15 in room A201. First class is September 25.  Contact Mona Warner: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MusicTree   is a group of youngsters in grades 3,4,5, and 6. This group will dive deeper into the techniques of good vocal production and will learn to sing from choral scores. They will sing in two part harmony and will memorize music that they will have the opportunity to perform throughout the year. Music Tree sings in a variety of styles while building fundamentals that will ready them for more advanced choral singing. This calendar year (2011-2012) they will rehearse from 4:30-5:30 pm on Mondays in A201 starting September 19. Contact Mona Warner: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nova! is our youth choir for grades seven through twelve, and is currently on sabbatical while searching for a new director.  Nova! is scheduled to resume in the fall of 2012.  This year, young women in this age category are encouraged to join the New Choir (see details above). Please contact John Boelling: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  7th and 8th graders who would prefer to sing with Music Tree can contact Mona Warner: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HANDBELL CHOIRS

Warbington Chime Choir is an opportunity for ringers in grades 3-5 to learn to read music and to gain the experience of making music in an ensemble in an atmosphere of fun and comaraderie. Sundays, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Contact Ellie Hodder: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beacon Bells, for 6th through 8th  graders is the initial opportunity for young ringers to play bronze handbells. Ringers continue to learn musical skills, gain self confidence and pride in making music together. Beacons ring for concerts and special occasions. Mondays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Contact Ellie Hodder:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marguerite Bells is our high school handbell ensemble (grades 9-12). This ensemble is named after our late Religious Education Director, the Rev. Marguerite Hessler Deale. When Marguerites ring for services and special events, it is clear that they have developed poise and confidence through their years of making music together. Mondays, 8-9 p.m. Contact Ellie Hodder: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Parker Bells rehearse Monday evenings, 6:30-8 pm. Parkers are our senior adult handbell ensemble comprised of experienced musicians and ringers. Parkers ring for several services and special events throughout the church year. Membership is open by audition.
Contact Ellie Hodder: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chalice Bells is our newest adult handbell ensemble and is open to all interested adult musicians. Chalice Bells rehearses on Tuesdays, 6-7:15 pm and ring for services, concerts and at regional handbell events. Contact Ellie Hodder: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bell Rehearsal Schedule

Youth Handbells:
Warbington Chimes, Sundays, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Beacon Bells, Mondays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Marguerite Bells, Mondays, 8-9 p.m.

Adult Handbells:
Parker Bells, Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Chalice  Bells, Tuesdays, 6-7:15 p.m.

Calling Artists: 2012 Fine Arts and Crafts Show

We are extending the deadline for artists’ jury applications to November 15, 2011. To receive a jury application, click here or send an email event co-chair, Ellie Hodder to have one emailed to you directly.

 The First Unitarian Church Fine Arts Show is scheduled for April 20-22, 2012 in the Buchan Reception Rooms. Each year we gather a group of the region’s excellent and eclectic artists to display and sell their works. Proceeds from the weekend benefit the artists, Music and Arts programs at the church and also the church general fund.

Questions? Contact Ellie Hodder ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Gail Durham ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Music Staff Bios

Mark Slegers has been Music Director/Minister of Music at First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon for 33 years. The church's music program includes over 300-member musicians of all ages participating in some 11 musical ensembles. It is the largest music program in the Unitarian Universalist denomination.
 
Mr. Slegers received his undergraduate degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon where he was recognized in May of 2007 as an outstanding graduate. He attended Union Theological Seminary, School of Sacred Music in New York City where he received the Master of Sacred Music degree. While in New York he sang and conducted in various New York churches. He has completed further study in conducting with Dr. Rodney Eichenberger and has also taught music in all levels of music education, including both Pacific University and Reed College.

Mr. Slegers was a commissioner/compiler for the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition, published by Beacon Press. For the past nineteen years he has served as church music consultant to Unitarian Universalist congregations continent-wide.
 
Choirs from the church under Mr. Slegers' direction toured Eastern Europe in 1990, the Seattle area in 1999 and Cuba in 2003.  This unprecedented Cuba tour was captured in an award-winning documentary, "What We're Asking for is Peace."  Mr. Slegers and his choirs were selected to provide choral music for Services of the Living Tradition at General Assemblies for the Unitarian Universalist Association in Spokane, WA and Calgary, Canada and Portland.
 
In March of 2006 Mr. Slegers and the 1^st Unitarian Chamber Choir were selected to give a concert at the American Choral Directors Association's NW Regional Convention.  Later that year a touring choir from the church under Mark Slegers' direction returned to Eastern Europe for a reunion tour.

Ellie Hodder has served as Director of Handbells at First Unitarian Church since 2002.  She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music, Potsdam, New York, and Masters of Fine Arts degree from Southern Illinois University.  She has served as a clinician at regional handbell events, founded the Pacific Northwest Handbell Directors' forum, initiated the Pacific Northwest Youth Handbell Festival and leads the regional chapter of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.  

Signe Lusk, Pianist, has been staff accompanist and director of the Nova youth choir since 1995.
She studied accompanying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in Stuttgart, Germany and Graz, Austria.  At national festivals and conferences she has accompanied the finest US and British choral directors and is one of the most sought-after accompanists in the Pacific Northwest.

Joe O'Donnell, Organist has served at the church for thirteen years. He holds degrees of Bachelor of Music in Organ and Master of Liturgical Music from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. While there he served on the music staff at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and as Organist and Choir Director of  St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill.  For the past ten years he's worked at Bond Organ Builders, Inc. in Portland as a service technician and design engineer.

Mona Warner has been the director of Sophia Singers at First Unitarian Church, Portland, since 1986. She now directs both of the children’s choirs at First Church (Sophia and Music Tree) and also the Prelude choir for Hillsboro Community Youth Choir. Mona is a life-long singer/songwriter, plays guitar and banjo and sings in the Chamber Choir.

John Boelling is new to the music staff this year, serving as the Assistant Director of Music. His duties include directing the New Women's Choir, assisting Mark with the other choirs, leading music in the Eliot Chapel services, acting as a coordinator for the children's music program, and leading summer music at 1st Church along with the Sometime Quartet.  John has been teaching voice and performing in the Portland area since 2003 and is currently on the voice faculty at the University of Portland.