United Parish has choirs for all age groups: preschool, elementary aged, teens, and adult, and a handbell choir for teens and adults. All of our choirs are non-audition. We welcome newcomers, both expert and novice, throughout the year. We are committed to providing our volunteer musicians — adult, youth, and children — with the training needed to participate fully in our music program. Our children and teens are a vital part of our music in worship — their singing often leading us powerfully into worship!
Youth and Adult Handbell ChoirThe Youth and Adult Handbell Choir is open to anyone in seventh grade and beyond. The choir is a group of adults and youth that includes both highly experienced ringers and beginners. You need only be able to ring a bell to join. The handbell choir plays music during various parts of the service, including the prelude, congregational hymns, and in collaboration with other choirs. READ MORE
Youth ChoirThe Youth Choir is open to sixth/seventh through twelfth graders. The Youth Choir leads, enhances, and deepens our worship experiences through their anthems and special presentations. The youth sing in parts, develop vocal technique and musicianship, and work on a wide range of repertoire, from gospel to classical. They occasionally sing with the adult choir and serve as role models for the younger choirs. READ MORE
Children’s ChoirThe United Parish Children’s Choir rehearses most Sunday mornings at 9am in the choir room with minister of music Susan DeSelms. They welcome first through sixth graders, and sing (and occasionally play instruments as well!) with joyful enthusiasm and beauty at least five times a year during the 11am worship. New singers are welcome at any time throughout the year, and develop their musical skills through kind and encouraging music and spiritual education. READ MORE
Adult Choir (aka the Chancel Choir)
The United Parish Adult Choir is a community of adult singers anchored by four professional section leaders that is passionate about choral singing and spiritual development through music. The adult choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:45pm, and assists with leading vibrant congregational song and elevates worship with choral music of all styles and eras. New and inexperienced singers are always welcome to join, and are invited to choir orientation sessions by making an appointment with Susan DeSelms – susan@upbrookline.org. READ MORE
Cherub ChoirThe Cherub Choir is open to children in preschool through kindergarten. Children of this age are just beginning to develop their musical abilities. Our hope for the Cherubs is that they enjoy making music together at the church. We have designed their entire curriculum to help them find the music that is living inside of them. They dance, march, and wiggle; they make noise, play rhythm instruments, and pretend to be animals; they pray, they learn about God, and they sing!
The Cherub Choir meets during the first 15 minutes of Church School (9:45 – 10:00am). Twice a year they sing praise to God during the 11:00am worship service.