Musical Musings: November 19-26, 2020

Hello members and friends of UUCC, 

Thank you to everyone who attended Good Company’s online cabaret last Sunday – it was great to see so many of you there! If you were unable to attend in Sunday but still want to check out the show, click on the video icon to the right.

We’ll have some special music in this week’s online service as well, featuring our Chancel Choir, UUCC Pianist Karin Tooley, Steve Sanford on clarinet, and me. I hope you’ll be able to join us online this Sunday! Read on for this week’s Music Notes…

Music Notes for November 22, 2020

Music 1: We Gather Together – Valerius/Dutch folk melody

Found in the hymnals of dozens of denominations, “We Gather Together” is among the most familiar and well-loved hymns within Singing the Living Tradition – in fact, it appears twice (with lyric variations) in our hymnbook, as #67 and #349. The hymn tune, known as ‘Kremser”, is derived from a Dutch folk melody called “Ey, wilder den wilt”, which dates to at least the 16th century. The words for “We Gather Together” were originally written by Dutch poet Adrianus Valerius (c. 1575-1625) in celebration of a 1597 Dutch victory over the Spanish force that had been occupying The Netherlands. That victory resulted in liberation from an order by Spanish King Philip II that had prohibited Dutch Protestants from worshipping with one another. Many years later, Dutch settlers brought their beloved song to the new world, and the hymn gained popularity in the United States, particularly at the end of World War II when American families were especially grateful to be reunited. This Sunday, UUCC’s Chancel Choir will lead “We Gather Together, accompanied by Mike Carney at the piano and Steve Sanford on clarinet. 

Music 2: There Is a Love – Norton 

“There Is a Love” is a simple but powerfully moving song with words and music by two strong UU women. The music was composed by Elizabeth Norton (b. 1959), who is a performer, composer and the longtime music director at First Parish (UU) in Concord Massachusetts. The words were written by the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker (b. 1953), a minister, author and theologian who served as president of the UU Starr King School for the Ministry from 1999 to 2014. UUCC Music Director Mike Carney will lead the song on Sunday as soloist and pianist, joined by the UUCC Chancel Choir.

Music 3/Offertory: Thanksgiving – Winston 

American pianist and composer George Winston (b. 1949) is known mostly for folk and jazz, although has written and performed in a wide range of styles. According to Winston, his contemplative “Thanksgiving” was ‘inspired by friends and places of Miles City, Montana’. “Thanksgiving” is the first track of Winston’s 1982 album December, and will be performed by UUCC Pianist Karin Tooley in this week’s online service.  

Postlude: We Give Thanks – Perkins 

A native of Nova Scotia, Wendy Luella Perkins (b. 1966) is a singer, songwriter and UU Minister. Still active as a musician, Wendy is also known as a local food and farm activist in Ontario, where she currently lives. Ms. Perkins wrote “We Give Thanks” in 2004, and her song is #1010 in our Singing the Journey hymnbook. This Sunday, “We Give Thanks” will be led by members of UUCC’s Chancel Choir and YoUUth Choir – please sing along as the spirit moves you!