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 - Fall 2025 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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Congratulations are in order! Our weekly Thursday concert series, Eastman at Washington Square, is celebrating 30 years!​

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Spring 2026 Performances:​

The Eastman Community Music School is proud to present free weekly concerts featuring artists from the Eastman School of Music and ECMS. Faculty and Student Performances from both schools offer an excellent opportunity to hear some of the best musicians that Rochester has to offer and all performances are absolutely free!

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February 26

“A Woman’s Hand”

Lynn McGrath performs a program that highlights charming works of the 20th century by women guitarist-composers María Luisa Anido, Ida Presti, and Louise Walker.

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March 5

The Sound of Low Brass

Enjoy the magnificent sound of ESM Trombone Choir directed by Larry Zalkind and Mark Kellogg.

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March 12

She Plucks Her Pen

Harpist Sunshine Quan presents solo harp works by female harpist-composers Pearl Chertok, Sophia Dussek, Caroline Lizotte, and Ekaterina Walter-Kuhne.

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March 19

Virtuoso Trumpet

Demian Spindler performs a preview of his solo program for the upcoming International Trumpet Guild’s 50th Anniversary Conference, which will take place this May at the Eastman School!

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March 26

In Slavic Spirit

Violinist Mikhail Kopelman, cellist Rosemary Elliott, and pianist Irina Lupines perform the Piano Trio “Dumky,” a brooding and introspective composition with cheerful sections interspersed throughout.

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March 26

In Slavic Spirit

Violinist Mikhail Kopelman, cellist Rosemary Elliott, and pianist Irina Lupines perform the Piano Trio “Dumky,” a brooding and introspective composition with cheerful sections interspersed throughout.

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April 2

Piano Extravaganza I

The students from the studio of Professors Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will dazzle you with piano masterpieces.

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April 9

Piano Extravaganza II

The students from the studio of Professors Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will dazzle you with more piano masterpieces.

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April 16

Woodwind Chamber Music

Come and enjoy fabulous music for woodwind ensemble performed by ESM students.

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April 23

All American

Soprano Tyler Cassidy-Heacock and composer/pianist Daniel Pesca will present a program of vocal music by American composers using texts from American writers. 

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April 30

Fulton Chamber Players

Violinist and ECMS alum Addison Teng and violist Amy Hess present works for violin and viola by Classical stalwart Anton Hoffmeister and little-known late-Romantic Emil Kreuz.

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May 7

Entre Tierra y Recuerdo (Between Homeland and Memory)

Tenor Pablo Bustos and pianist Priscilla Yuen will perform the program centered on themes of memory, love, and cultural storytelling, drawing on music from Argentina, Spain, and Chile.

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May 14

New Horizons Chorus

The New Horizons Chorus will journey through musical eras, sharing songs from medieval chant to Renaissance polyphony and a Bach chorale. They’ll also perform several contemporary pieces inspired by the classics. 

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May 21

Honors Finale

Enjoy the final concert of the season, featuring more amazing young high school graduates from the Honors Program at the Eastman Community Music School.

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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.