Music at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church
Introduction
Our congregation has always placed music as a primary value in all the things we do. From encouraging congregational singing on Sunday mornings to creating a top-notch choir and then to supporting individuals to offer their musical talents, we have continuously believed that music can be a powerful energy in all our activities.
Our Music Director, Fred West
Fred West is proud to be the music director at Shoreline UUC where he has directed since 2004. Several Easter Sundays the choir has performed the Vivaldi “Gloria “with string ensemble, harpsichord and Dick Nelson at the trumpet.
Fred studied composition and choral conducting at WWU under Dr. Edwin La Bounty and Dr. Robert Scandrett. He has worked with some eminent choral conductors in workshops over the years including the late Robert Shaw, Elmer Iseler and Dr. Rodney Eichenburger.
He has directed the City Cantabile Choir for 28 years, touring Europe, performing in Seattle with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, and with the famous Flamenca guitarist Paco Pena. With this choir which will sing at the SUUC Winter Solstice event he will also be conducting a Celtic Christmas concert Sunday at 2:30 pm the Dec. 20th at St. Benedict Church in Wallingford.
Also directing the Seattle Peace Chorus for 10 years, he has toured Cuba and Venezuela and performed The Mozart Requiem in honor of all those who have died in the Iraqi war/ With that ensemble he will be performing Peace IN Jerusalem Nov. 22 Sunday at 2:30pm at St. Benedict Church; a concert featuring sacred music from Jewish, Islamic, and Christian traditions.
Fred is delighted to see the Shoreline UU Choir grow and become a rich part of the music services offered to our community.
Our Choir
The SUUC choir sings on the third Sunday of each month. Fred West, Choir Director, starts with the premise that we sing for peace, justice, and building community in a way that honors many different cultures. This year we will develop the idea of what it means to express the values and culture of our Unitarian Universalist Congregation as a choir. The choir practices every Thursday evening from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Spirit Hand
The musical group Spirit Hand has become a highly valued part of our congregational life. It is composed entirely of members of Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church — Teresa Bain, guitar and vocals; Joe O’Malley, guitar and vocals; James Lucal, violin and vocals; Laura Banks, rhythm and vocals, and Ben Tompkins, percussion. They first got together almost 6 years ago with the intention of bringing new and interesting sounds to our services. They play a wide variety of music — from traditional to rock'n'roll, folk to bossa nova. In addition to Sunday Services and special events at our church, Spirit Hand has played at a soup kitchen and at two benefit concerts (one for the Hamoui family and one for the non-profit organization Headstrong). Spirit Hand will be playing at the Pacific Northwest District Assembly in Bellevue in February 2010.
Full Moon Concerts
Several times a year, on the Saturdays closest to the full moon, professional musicians share their talents with us. This tradition, started in 2004, has brought us musical treats ranging from the haunting a capella women’s choir Dunava to the swing music of Lexington Avenue. Produced by Fred West. See the 2010 Season flyer here. You won’t want to miss it!
