Music at United Church in Walpole

"I have always loved music.  Those who have mastered this art are of good stuff.  They are fit for any task.  Music is a beautiful and glorious gift of God.  I would not give up what little I know about music for something else which I might have in greater abundance."  -  Martin Luther

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.  In addition there are 3 choral groups, two bell choirs, a percussion ensemble, and a liturgical dance team.  Please read on for more information about our music program.

Music Director
Nathan Zullinger came to United Church in Walpole as Music Director and organist in November 2004.  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.

Mr. Zullinger is a Faculty Artist at the University of Rhode Island, where he conducts the University Chorus and serves as a staff accompanist.  He recently conducted three performances of Menotti's short opera The Medium at Brown University.  In 2006-2007 he will conduct Die Fledermaus and David and Tamar (world premiere) at URI.

In addition, Mr. Zullinger is an active member of the Connecticut Choral Artists (CONCORA) and performs regularly as a conductor and accompanist in the Boston-Providence area.

Nate can be reached at MusicDirector@unitedwalpole.org

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.  In 2006-2007, we will be performing Michael Burkhardt's Savior of the Nations, Come: An Advent/Christmas Hymn Festival on December 17 and excerpts from Part II of Handel's Messiah on April 1.Among the works performed in recent years are:

Britten: Ceremony of Carols
Handel: Messiah (excerpts)
Holst: Christmas Day
Mozart: Requiem (excerpts)
Rutter: Requiem
Schubert: Mass in G
Vivaldi: Gloria
Vivaldi: Magnificat
Wade: Seven Last Words (East Coast Premiere)
Weber: Mass in G

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

The Chancel Choir has traveled abroad three times in its history: Austria in 1992, Wells, England in 1995, and Salzburg in 2004.  On each of these trips the choir has performed with a mass choir at a major festival.  In addition,   they presented short concerts in other venues.  They have also traveled to Bethesda, Maryland, to take part in a performance of the Brahms Requiem with several other churches.

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.

Music for Children and Youth
High School Youth Choir - Grades 9-12, a vocal ensemble of high school students that performs approximately two times per year

Chime Choir - Grades 6-8, an ensemble of middle school students who perform on hand chimes several times a year

Mustard Seed - Grades 3-5, a vocal/percussion ensemble that rehearses in conjunction with the Sunday School program

Angel Choir - Pre-Kindergarten- Grade 2, a beginning choir that rehearses in conjunction with the Sunday School program

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