“Sources” Choir Information

About the Sources of Unitarian Universalism:

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
1)      Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;

2)      Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;

3)      Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical & spiritual life;

4)      Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;

5)      Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;

6)      Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision.

(From the Principles and Purposes of the UUA. Adopted as a Bylaw by the 1984, 1985 and 1995 General Assemblies.)

About“Sources: A Unitarian Universalist Cantata”:

At the 2005 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, the Commission on Appraisal presented its report, Engaging Our Theological Diversity, which challenged Unitarian Universalists to grow in their understanding of our theological identity as a religious movement.  As part of Jason Shelton’s process of growth, he decided to explore writing a major work using the six sources of our living tradition as inspiration. Could these diverse theological statements be articulated poetically?  Could these poetic interpretations be expressed in equally diverse musical forms?  And if the answer to these questions is yes, is there an artistic statement to be made about how the six statements relate to one another, that is, in the midst of all of this diversity, what holds us together?

 The result is “Sources”, a 45-minute cantata in 7 movements:  one for each of the six sources (described below) and a final movement tying the sources together into one final message.  The work calls for SATB choir, piano, strings, and percussion.  The words are by Kendyl Gibbons.

You can listen to the entire cantata at http://www.jasonsheltonmusic.com/audio.htm.  You can also watch videos of the work, conducted by the composer, at http://www.firstuunashville.org/music/sources.php.  You can also view and/or download the choral score at http://www.jasonsheltonmusic.com/files/Sources_SATB.pdf.  We have been given permission by the composer to print these scores!   

About the San Diego Cluster Performance of “Sources”:

We currently have 101 singers, ages 14 and up, from all around San Diego County. These singers will comprise the SATB choir.  There are also several vocal soloists, for which auditions were held in March and April of this year.   Please note that we will NOT be memorizing the music, but rather we will be holding music. 

One of the goals of our San Diego Cluster performance has been for musicians from the various congregations in the cluster to visit other congregations and get to know some of the other UU’s in the San Diego area. To accomplish this, montly choir rehearsals started back in October 2011 and have been continuing to the present. The rehearsal location has been rotating among the various cluster congregations.

The work will be conducted by Tim McKnight, Music Director at Chalice UU Congregation in Escondido.  Roy Attridge, a member of First Church and the director of that congregation’s JUUbilation handbell ensemble, will be the Technical Director for the event.  A Planning Team has been formed consisting of Music Directors and other musicians from each of the cluster congregations.  This Team will meet regularly to plan and facilitate the process from beginning to end.

 There will be one performance on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 7:30 PM in the Meeting Hall at First UU Church located at 4190 Front Street in San Diego, CA 92104.  There will be a suggested donation, and all proceeds from the concert (after expenses) will go to a charitable cause which is yet to be determined.

Questions: