Music at United Church in Walpole

“Let the “AMEN!” sound from his people again . . .”

Music occupies a special place in the life of United Church.  A large number of adults and children are involved in singing, ringing, and playing instruments for the glory of God.  At the center of our worship life is our two-manual Casavant-Freres organ, installed in 1998, and our 1926 Baldwin grand piano, purchased and restored in 2007.  Keep reading for more information about the exciting and diverse musical programs that United Church has to offer!

Music Director

Nathan Zullinger is currently completing his dissertation (entitled “A Guide to the Choral Music of Charles Fussell”) for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting at Boston University.  He holds a Master of Music degree in conducting from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Messiah College, Grantham, PA.  His principal teachers have been Ann Howard Jones, David Hoose, Dennis Shrock, Joseph Gifford, and Linda Tedford.

Mr. Zullinger is also music director and organist here at the United Church in Walpole and has taught or conducted at Boston University, Brown University, and the University of Rhode Island. 

In 2007, Mr. Zullinger was a Conducting Fellow at Chorus America’s A Cappella Conducting Workshop in Minneapolis, MN, where he was coached by Anton Armstrong, Kathy Romey, Sigrid Johnson, and Ronald Staheli. He has participated in the Robert Shaw Choral Workshop at Carnegie Hall, the Conductor’s Institute at Bard College and the New Pathways in Conducting workshop in Nashua, NH.

A member of the professional choir CONCORA (Hartford, CT)since 2005, he conducted an ensemble of CONCORA members in a recording session of contemporary choral works during the summer of 2011. This season he will serve as chorusmaster and conducting assistant for the Opera Boston production of Michael Tippett’s A Midsummer Marriage.

Nate can be reached at MusicDirector@unitedwalpole.org

View the Calendar of coming and recent Music Program events

Music Committee
The music committee meets once each month, except for the months of July and August.  This committee is responsible for overseeing all musical aspects of church life and planning and executing special musical projects.  There are six members of the committee, not including the Music Director, who also attends every meeting.

Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir sings each Sunday at the 10:00 AM Service.  Rehearsals are held every Thursday evening from 7:30-9:00 PM.  The choir also practices one hour before the service on Sunday morning.  The singers learn and perform a wide variety of repertoire from all styles of music.  This often includes music of other Christian traditions or cultures, as well as standard church repertoire.  The Chancel Choir also presents two large musical offerings each year, traditionally held on the Fourth Sunday in Advent (Christmas Sunday) and Palm Sunday.

For these presentations, and on other occasions, the choir is often accompanied by professional instrumentalists from the greater Boston area. See our recent repertoire here.

The Chancel Choir has traveled abroad three times in its history: Austria in 1992, Wells, England in 1995, and Salzburg in 2004.  In 2009, the Chancel Choir participated in the Vermont International Choral Festival Mass Choir, conducted by Robert DeCormier. On each of these trips the choir has performed with a mass choir at a major festival.

Membership in the Chancel Choir is open to anyone who wishes to worship through song.  The ability to read music is helpful, but not required.  In addition, scholarship monies are available to local college students who sing with the choir during the academic year.  Please contact the Music Director for further information.

Handbell Choir
The Handbell Choir rehearses on Thursday evening from 6:30-7:30 and plays for worship approximately once a month.  This group is composed of high school students and adults who enjoy an exciting musical experience with the occasional challenge thrown in.  Music reading is not required.
Listen to one of our performances here.

Musical Opportunities for Pre-K through Grade 12

ANGEL CHOIR (Marcia Waitekus, director) - Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 2. A beginning choir that rehearses in conjunction with the Sunday School program

MUSTARD SEED (Amy Fassett, director) - Grades 3-6. A vocal/percussion ensemble that rehearses in conjunction with the Sunday School program.  Incorporates Orff instruments and “Boom-whackers.”

CHIME CHOIR (Lisa Oberly and Barbara Tausey, directors) - Grades 5-8. An ensemble of middle school students who perform on hand chimes several times a year.

YOUTH CHOIR (Nancy Rollo, director) - Grades 7-12.  A choral ensemble of high school students.  Emphasizes contemporary repertoire and vocal technique.

Additional Opportunities
DRUMMING CIRCLE (Lois Czacharowski, coordinator)
INSTRUMENTALISTS
PIANISTS

Links to other sites of interest
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION
www.uccma.org

AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS
www.agohq.org

BOSTON CHORAL CONSORTIUM
www.bostonsings.org

CONNECTICUT CHORAL ARTISTS (CONCORA)
www.concora.org