When you step into our sanctuary, you'll notice painted tapestries, stained glass windows, the glint of organ pipes, and the history behind the wooden floors and pews.  But when a note is played, a chord is struck, or a voice is lifted, you'll feel the beauty and warmth of this sacred space.  Music is an essential part of worship here at First Universalist.  It helps us to go "beyond words."  Musical selections cover a broad range of styles and genres, from classical to contemporary to folk, and are carefully selected by our Music Director to reflect that Sunday's theme. Our choir rehearses every Sunday morning from September to June, and their voices regularly fill the sanctuary during service. Our congregation is blessed with many talented musicians, and we are especially grateful to have Keith Stott, a living composer in our congregation. 

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Eastman At Washington Square - Spring 2023 Season

We enjoy hosting free concerts presented by the Eastman School of Music every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. throughout the school year, running for roughly 30-45 minutes. The complete schedule can be found at the Eastman Community Music School website.  Admission is free.  

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Spring 2023 Performances:

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January 12

Musique Francaise
Celebrate the start of a new year, and a new season of Eastman at Washington Square, with clarinetist Andrew Brown and pianist Irina Lupines.

January 19

Minus 2
Join Eastman students Aliceyn Covington on french horn, Cole Henslee on tuba, and Kathryn Carley on euphonium, in appreciating the low-end of the musical spectrum!

January 26

Four Centuries of Songs Across the World
Monica Ramich, soprano and Kenneth Kam, guitarist and lutenist, will be sharing music by Bach, Dowland, Hahn, Villa-Lobos, Seiber and the Beatles.

February 2

Classical Guitar
Guitarist Alex Nazaretski, from the studio of Nicholas Goluses, will perform the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Mario Castelnuvo -Tedesco, and Dionisio Aguado.

February 9

Something Old, Something New
Bassoonist Blaire Koerner and pianist Zack Peterson will be returning to Eastman at Washington Square. Don’t miss this much anticipated reprise!

February 16

Piano Extravaganza I
Come hear the students from the studio of Professor Douglas Humpherys perform fabulous works for solo piano.

February 23

Piano Extravaganza II
A second installment of masterpieces for piano performed by students from the studio of Professor Douglas Humpherys.

March 2

Inspiring Violin
Come hear a virtuoso recital featuring violinists from the studio of Eastman professor Renée Jolles.

March 9

Flutissimo!
Enjoy the ECMS Krustenjerna Scholarship Flute Choir, performing under the direction of Sophia Gibbs Kim, as they help us usher in the spring with beautiful music!

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Our Hope-Jones, Opus 2 Pipe Organ Circa 1908

Robert Hope-Jones is not exactly a household name, yet his innovations in organ building have profoundly influenced the history of the instrument in the 20th century. First Universalist is very fortunate to be connected with the Hope-Jones legacy in a very significant way, for it possesses one of the few surviving Hope-Jones organs in its original form.