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 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 2025 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!

 

May 1​

Violin and Piano Showcase

Renowned violinist Oleh Krysa and pianist Irina Lupines will perform gems of violin/piano repertoire from Beethoven to modern times.

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May 8

Guitar Roots

Join Eastman alum and graduate dean, Matthew Ardizzone, for a solo classical guitar program rooted in folk music and features pieces by Leo Brouwer, Edward Flower, and Joaquin Rodrigo.

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May 15

Gracias a la Vida: Music & Poetry of Chile

Tenor Pablo Bustos and pianist Priscilla Yuen will present the highlights of the cultural richness of Chile through musical settings by Chilean composers and poetry by Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda.

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May 22

ECMS Honors Finale

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

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December 12
Daphne Piano Trio

Graduate Eastman students violinist Chihiro Kakishima, cellist Hannah Sohn, and pianist Huipng Cai perform trio by Ravel.​

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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.