FIRST UNITARIAN CONGREGATION OF OTTAWA

music

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Join a FirstU Choir - Come Sing With Us!

Our choirs are always looking for new voices and there is a place for everyone to sing at FirstU!
  • Fusion Choir rehearses on Monday afternoons from 1pm - 2:30
  • Three Rivers Singers meets on Wednesday afternoons from 1pm - 2:30
  • Chalice Choir meets on Thursday nights, 7pm - 8:30​ ​
Scroll down for information on the different musical styles our three choirs perform and, if you are interested in being a part of our musical community, or have any questions about the choirs, you can email Kirk at music@firstunitarianottawa.ca
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choirs at firstu

Chalice Choir meets Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30 and is our largest group. Our repertoire covers it all, from pop arrangements to hymns; folk tunes to choral standards. We value community building, dedication to musical development, laughter and learning. We sing in services approximately twice a month. This is a non-auditioned choir and everyone is welcome. Previous musical experience is helpful but not necessary.
Chalice Choir is actively searching for more members - this is a great place to start if you are new to choir singing or new to FirstU.
​Three Rivers Singers meet on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30pm. We are a small women’s ensemble that sings in a variety of styles, aiming to highlight female composers and themes of welcome, community and empowerment. Three Rivers sings in services on a monthly basis. This is an auditioned choir; ability to sight-read and/or learn music quickly is an asset.​
​Fusion rehearses on Monday afternoons from 1:00-2:30pm. We like to sing music that has lush harmonies and funky rhythms and we work on blend and ensemble development. Fusion sings in services on a monthly basis and is designed for experienced singers. This is an auditioned choir. Ability to sight-read and/or learn music quickly is an asset. 

music is meaningful

We asked "What makes singing at First Unitarian meaningful to you?" Here are just some of the answers:
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our interim music director

Kirkland (“Kirk”) Adsett joined FirstU as Interim Music Director in January 2023. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, and holds a Master of Sacred Music degree, focusing on the study of organ-playing and choral conducting, from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.
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He has held numerous organist/choirmaster church positions in Canada and the United States. He was privileged as well to have been founding director of an after-school program called Reaching Out Through Music which continues to offer free or subsidized music lessons to immigrant children in the St. Jamestown project in Toronto.

Liturgical improvisation at the organ, choral conducting and composition are among Kirk’s main musical interests. To this end, he has studied improvisation in France with Dr. Naji Hakim, Jean-Pierre Leguay, and Marie-Louise Langlais and in Germany with Otto Maria Krämer. Teachers in choral conducting have included Dr. Sun Min Lee, Ralph Allwood and Timothy Brown.

Kirk’s hobbies and joys include reading, travelling, socializing with family and friends and walking his blue standard poodle Max.
​
Listen to Kirk's choral composition, A New Commandment, HERE.

our music director

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Jennifer ("Jenn") Berntson became FirsTU's Music Director on August 16, 2021, after a competitive search with talented applicants, input from our Music Search Team , Choir members, Revs. Pat and Eric.
Jenn recently went on parental leave and will return in Fall 2023.

Jenn is the Ottawa Children Choir's Chamber (for 11-15 year olds) conductor for the 2021-2022 season. She has also been the conductor for OCC's Prima choir (for 6-7 year olds) for the last four seasons. In addition, Jenn is the founding artistic director of Aella, an advanced treble ensemble based in Ottawa, known for its innovative and engaging programs and sings with the Capital Chamber Choir. Here is an example of Jenn's work (do note the full length is 16 minutes)
 
Jenn holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice from Mount Allison University and a Master of Arts in Music and Culture from Carleton University, where her research focused on collective music-making as a form of protest. We are excited for Jenn to bring her experience, talent, creativity, and passion for choral music to FirstU.


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Fusion Choir in rehearsal with Jenn

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​30 Cleary Ave   K2A 4A1   
613-725-1066
  
uuoffice@firstunitarianottawa.ca

"We acknowledge that our campus is located on traditional, unsurrendered and unceded Algonquin Anishinabeg Territory;
and that the work of reconciliation is a responsibility of our congregation, and of all Canadians.  "Our goal is to educate ourselves and all
who have ears to hear, to be of service to those who are at risk, and to advocate for justice.


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  • Welcome
  • What's Happening
    • Congregational Focus - Climate Action >
      • Green Sanctuary Accreditation
      • AJASHKI Garden Project
      • EARTH SPEAKS FORUMS
    • Pandemic Safety Protocols
  • About Us
    • Our Ministry Team
    • About Unitarian Universalism
    • Our Campus >
      • Affordable Housing
      • Cleary Detour
    • Member Information >
      • Steps to Membership
      • Members' Page
      • Campus Planning Member Page
      • Governing Documents
      • Death Notices and Memorial Details for Members
  • Worship
    • Sunday Service FAQ
    • Past Sermons
    • Children's Religious Exploration
    • Youth
  • Get Involved
    • Embracing Diversity
    • Music
    • Lifespan Learning
    • OWL
  • Social Justice
    • Climate Action
    • Truth and Reconciliation
  • Communications
    • eUU Weekly Newsletter
    • Archives
    • Lectures and Presentations >
      • HOLTOM LECTURES
  • Contact Us
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Ceremonies and Rentals >
      • Weddings, Memorials, Child Dedications and other Rites of Passage
      • Facility Rentals
  • Make a Donation
    • Legacy Giving