Sunday, April 21st
Today’s service is on “Rediscovering Prayer,” Chris will open the service with a unique rendition of the prayer of St. Francis. For the Offertory and Reflection, the UUCB Choir will sing spirited arrangements of two traditional songs – “Down in the River to Pray” and “Kumbaya.” As the Postlude, Taryn will lead the UUCB Soloists in the groovy “O Bless the Lord my Soul” from the musical Godspell.
Sunday, April 28th
Today is this year’s youth-led service, featuring youth musicians with support from the music staff. Youth pianist Luca DePietro will share the first movement of Beethoven’s piano Sonata in F Major as the Prelude, and flautist Kaitlyn Dissek will provide the Postlude. At the Offertory Jessie and Shaun will share their rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” This song captures the challenges the youth faced during distance learning and the joy they felt when they came back together in community.
As we head out of showers into flowers, get excited for this year’s special two-night Cabaret event entitled “It Take Two!!” on Friday, May 10th, and Saturday, May 11th, both at 6:30pm. These fun evenings of food, drink, atmosphere, and entertainment will feature our HoUUse Band performing a variety of musical theatre and pop/rock duets – with the occasional larger ensemble number thrown in for extra pizzaz. The evening will be narrated by emcee and UUCB Tenor Soloist Shaun Doyle, who will lead the audience through a comedic yet insightful exploration of the nature of twoness. Stay tuned for more information about how to purchase tickets or otherwise support these fabulous shows.
Sunday, May 5th
The month of May kicks off with a service exploring elevator speeches about Unitarian Universalism, and so the Music Staff and Choir will share songs that capture different aspects of the UU experience. As the Prelude, Shaun Doyle will sing “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Porgy and Bess as a nod to UU’s questioning mindset. At the Offertory, the choir will sing Pat Humphries’s “Swimming to the Other Side,” a song about how we are all traveling through this life together, no matter what path we may be on. As the Reflection, the choir will sing a lovely setting of the Langston Hughes poem “I Dream a World,” about visioning for a better tomorrow. Finally, Helen Lowry and Paul Zanolli will share “Let the Mystery Be,” launching us into the week with an even-minded perspective on life’s unknowns.
May 10th & 11th
Be sure to have your tickets for the Music Ministry’s annual Cabaret fundraiser. This year’s goal is to raise $10,000 that will go towards the church’s operating budget and, just as the title of this year’s event – “It Takes Two” – implies, we can’t reach this goal without your help! The evenings’ musical program will feature a variety of musical theatre and pop/rock duets – with the occasional larger ensemble number thrown in for extra pizzaz. Narration from emcees Jessie Downs and Shaun Doyle will lead the audience through a comedic yet insightful exploration of the nature of twoness. Food will be prepared by amazing chefs Jeff Lowry and Nate Muka, and drinks will be available at a cash bar. Enjoy a night out on the town with friends and support our community while you’re at it!
Get your tickets now!
Sunday, May 12th
After we’ve bopped til we drop at the Cabaret, we can all come out for a mellower Mothers’ Day service. As the Prelude, Christopher Sierzchula will play Part II C from Köln Concert by Keith Jarret. As the Offertory, Jessie, Helen, and Paul will share CSNY’s “Teach Your Children Well.” Throughout the sermon, Paul will play and sing segments of “Canned Goods” by Greg Brown to support Cathy’s tribute to grandmothers. Finally, the HoUUse Band will reprise “You’re My Best Friend,” which (spoiler alert) will be the opening number of the Cabaret.
Sunday, May 18th
Saturday, May 18th is Buffalo’s annual Porchfest, and this year UUCB’s lawn will be functioning as a “porch!” Come out to hear Brazilian bandolinists Stephen Guerra and Ken Luk play a captivating set at 2pm as a part of our Casual Concert series and then consider circling back around to hear Joel Cohen and the Buffalo Silver Band at 4pm. You can also stay tuned for more announcements about other acts that will be hosted throughout the day.
Sunday, May 19th
Sunday, May 19th is RE Sunday and the Soloists and Choir will support this annual coming-of-age ceremony with their music. The service will open with Helen singing “Being Alive” from Company, capturing the youthful desire for life experiences, whatever shape they may take. At the Offertory, the choir will sing an arrangement of Emmy Lou Harris’s “Calling My Children Home,” a song from the perspective of the adults who love our youth and want to protect them on their journeys. As the Reflection, the choir will sing “Omnia Sol,” the opening lines of which are, “Somewhere far from nowhere, I grew both strong and tall, longing to become but knowing not the path at all.” The service will finish with the Chamber Choir’s rendition of “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen, sending our youth into the world with our loving support for their discovery of the world and the world’s discovery and acceptance of them.
Sunday, May 26th
The final service of the month falls on Memorial Day weekend and Cathy will be leading us in a celebration of the lives of people of color who served the U.S. throughout the ages. As the Prelude and Postlude, Chris will usher us into and gently lift us out of this time of remembrance with reflective piano music. At the Offertory, the UUCB Chamber Choir will share an arrangement of the Civil War era song, “Tenting on the Old Campground.” As the Reflection, Taryn Goehrig will sing “David Mourns for Absolom” as tribute to all those who have fallen in battle and the loved ones who have mourned their loss.
June
Looking ahead to June, stay tuned for more information about UUCB’s Pride Parade float, featuring performances by our HoUUse Band!
