Chalice Choirs: Youth Music at First Church

The Chalice Choir program began in 1999 with a rotating cast of about six singers and some young instrumentalists. Since then it has expanded to three choirs consisting of as many as 40 young people at a time.

First Church's Chalice Choirs provide a vibrant and active music program for young people ranging in age from Kindergarten through high school. Repetoire is chosen with an eye to UU themes, musical quality, and variety. Chalice Choir members, over the years, have sung in everything from Hebrew to Hungarian to Swahili and learned music from wide ranging styles, drawing on classical sources, popular music, folk music, and the compositions of a variety of UU composers. We are proud to have premiered a number of works by in-house composers Carol Burrus and David Collins. The Chalice Choirs also strive to include young instrumentalists in performance, adding violin, guitar, and a variety of percussion to enliven our performances.

The program is ably directed by long-term volunteers Dema Solberg and David Collins. Dema has a B.A. in voice from Rice University, is a certified teacher, sings soprano in the adult choir, and is a member of the Music Committee. David is also a certified teacher and a tenor in the adult choir; he brings a wealth of experience in pop and folk music to the mix, as well as his skills with piano, guitar, drums, and composition/arranging. Their combination of skills means that young musicians at first church get a musically sound, age appropriate and diverse experience.

There are three Children's Choirs available, divided by age, for Kindergarteners through High Schoolers. Rehearsals are held between services on most Sundays during the school year. The choirs perform 4 to 5 times a year.

Chalice Lights

Our youngest singers start in the Chalice Lights, our choir for Kindergarten through 2nd graders. Chalice Lights performs mostly unison songs four to five times a year. Elements of early childhood-appropriate music education are incorporated into Chalice Lights rehearsals, providing a fun and meaningful musical experience. Musical selections are chosen specifically for younger children whose musical sense is just developing. Most of the selections are unison or in round. The Lights rehearse between services, from 10:45-11:15 on Sunday mornings.

Chalice Flames

In 3rd grade, singers can join the Chalice Flames. This choir learns and performs more challenging music from the children's choral music repetiore. They sing two and three part pieces four to five times a year. Flames is open to all young singers through high school. The Flames rehearse between services, from 10:45-11:15 on Sunday mornings.

Koloszvar Ensemble

The Koloszar Ensemble is an audition-only group of talented young musicians in middle and high school. Koloszvar routinely includes bass and drums in it's performances and draws more heavily than the Flames on popular music. Joining this group, designed as a small ensemble rather than a choir, requires an informal audition.They rehearse on a schedule based on the availability of the members.

How to join

It's easy! Just come by any rehearsal, introduce yourself and your son or daughter, and start singing! We rehearse on the third floor in the choir room.

Need more information?

Email Dema at demasings@comcast.net