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Music at UPC
Music at UPC
Music is an important part of our coming together at United Presbyterian Church. We are excited to make music with every resource that we have, and to use a variety of styles — not all at once, but intermingled. What emerges is a vibrant worship service with music that includes everyone who wishes to participate.
We had great fun at the beginning of our Palm Sunday service this year, when choir sang the Moravian Hosanna. Then our brass band led the congregation in the first Palm Parade around the sanctuary since 2019. Musicians included Adrian Finney (tuba), Sara Liebermann (trumpet), Zeke Merelis (cello), Elikem Nyamuame (kpanlogo drums), Nate Raboy (trombone), and Phil Westcott (tenor saxophone). They played a New Orleans Jazz rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In, and we sang “When the Lord Came Riding In” to commemorate Jesus’s triumphant ride into Jerusalem.
Phil also played guitar and sang Woodie Guthrie’s Jesus Christ, Starletta Noll-Long sang Were You There from the organ loft, and Robbie Manners closed the service by singing How Long, O Lord and was accompanied by Becky Mebert on piano and Zeke Merelis on cello.
On Maundy Thursday, Margaret Davis (violin), Lana Ogden (recorder), and Claude Cornwall (piano) provided special music for the service, which was held in the Upper Lounge. The striking timbre of the recorder and violin combination perfectly set the tone for this service.
Our Easter celebration was filled with lots of joyful music. Bell choir opened the service with Hymn to Joy, a rendition of Ode to Joy; the ensemble included Ethan and Ellis Nyamuame. This was their first time performing with bell choir — well done!
Communion music was provided by Aimée Backus (flute), Austin Shadduck (shakuhachi), and Arianna Windsong (flute). They played an arrangement of the Faure Pavane.
The UPC Choir sang Christ is Risen Today, accompanied by Phil Westcott on the tenor saxophone. Because of our YouTube livestream, a complimentary message came to us from the composers of the song, Don Besig and Nancy Price!
Brass musicians Riya Bolander (tuba), Sara Liebermann (trumpet), Nate Raboy (trombone), and Phil Westcott (tenor saxophone) played along with all the hymns, which were accompanied marvelously at the organ by Becky Mebert.
This spring we’ve enjoyed a great deal of beautiful music from our music community:
Victoria Barics and Riya Bolander sang a delightful array of duets the Sunday after Easter;
David Berti sang a beautiful arrangement of Be Thou My Vision with Becky Mebert at the piano on April 14;
On April 21, our worship began with Austin Shadduck playing Tabibito No Uta (“The traveler’s song”) on shakuhachi …
… and closed with Ken Mebert singing Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace at the organ, accompanied by Becky Mebert;
Starletta Noll-Long sang a stunning Let Us Break Bread Together for our communion music on May 5.
Choir has been enjoying some of our most favorite songs, including The Lone Wild Bird, Offertory (Micah 6:6–8 text), the “Sabbath Prayer” (from Fiddler on the Roof), With a Voice of Singing, and “All Good Gifts” (from Godspell). Bell choir has also lifted our spirits with their performance of “Litany”.
We are blessed to have such musical offerings to enhance our worship services, and we are grateful for everyone who participates in our music program.
With summertime fast approaching, the choirs will take a break from mid-June until after Labor Day. We invite instrumentalists and vocalists who’d like to share their gifts to talk with any of our music leaders about providing special music for worship — you can call the church office, email music@upcbgm.org, or speak with them in person after worship.
Upcoming Community Performances
Upcoming Community Performances
“Embellished and Refreshed”: American Guild of Organists Concert
Sunday, June 2, 4pm at United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton
“Embellished and Refreshed”: American Guild of Organists Concert
Sunday, June 2, 4pm at United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton
The sanctuary space in our church has many voices in the line of “if only walls could talk” spirit. Our sacred space has been the stage for concerts of many genres including, organ, flute, Madrigal, Philharmonic, Opera, and senior recitals (voice and instrumentals), to name a few. The sanctuary organ was rebuilt and enriched in the 1970s under the guidance of Binghamton University’s Jonathan Biggers (then Head of the Organ Department and world-renowned concert organist) and Robin Lostetter (organist and choir director at the time). It has featured many recitals by students and accomplished organists, including local organist Jean Henssler, and recently Joseph Ossei Little from Ghana, a graduate student at Syracuse University.
The United Presbyterian organ is a masterful example of what is referred to as the “King of the Instruments”, since the many voices created by wood and metal pipes can sound like an entire orchestra or a solo flute, or a string ensemble to accompany voice and other instruments, concerts, or accompany uplifting hymns and anthems done on Sundays to lead worship.
On Sunday, June 2 at 4:00pm, musicians including organists from the local American Guild of Organists chapter, many of whom play and lead worship at churches in the greater Binghamton area or who have substituted as our worship musician, will play our sanctuary organ for any who wish to attend. There will be a variety of styles and genres, with some instrumentals included. We invite all to attend, including, especially, children and youth. Sit in the balcony and allow them to watch and observe this incredibly interesting and flexible King of the Instruments. Planting the seed of possibility begins sometimes with a new experience. We hope you will step out and come to hear the King of the Instruments!
This concert is free and open to the public.
“Love and Remembrance”: An Evening with Brio vocal ensemble and Friends
Sunday, June 2, 7pm at Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Boulevard, Endwell, NY 13760
“Love and Remembrance”: An Evening with Brio vocal ensemble and Friends
Sunday, June 2, 7pm at Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Boulevard, Endwell, NY 13760
“Love and Remembrance” offers music to soothe and uplift the spirit with joy and gratitude. Gospel pieces, sacred classics and spirituals, plus instrumental works by our guest musicians!
Featured artists:
Will Hayes, cello • Cathy Lyon, vocalist • Burt Mueller, guitar • Wendy Stafford, flute • The Vivace Recorder Ensemble
Craig Johnson, founder and director
Carolyn Corse, accompanist
This concert is open to the public. A free will offering will be collected.
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