Music and Choir
Music at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua reflects the diversity of our congregation, community, and our world. We want music to play an important part in our religious experience.
The music program consists of the Choir, the accompaniment of hymns on piano, invited regional and community groups, and providing opportunities to share the musical talents of our congregational members. The music program is organized by our Music Director, Jed Holland, and our Music Team. We work with our Minister to tailor music to the topic of the sermon and the service as a whole.
Choir
The Choir is for adults and high school students. The music spans many styles from Renaissance to contemporary, sacred to secular, serious to light-hearted. There are no auditions, but participation does require the commitment of time. The Choir rehearses from 7:30 to 9:00pm in the Campbell Chapel on Wednesday evenings during the church year. A rehearsal is also held on most Sunday mornings at 9:00am in the Campbell Chapel. Newcomers are always welcome! For more information speak with our music director, Jed Holland.
For a copy of our Choir COVID Policy, Click Here.
From Our Music Director, Jed Holland
Greetings!
My full name is Jared Holland, but I also answer to Jed. I was born in Nashua in 1964 and have lived here all my life, now with my lovely wife Martha and our five great kids. I’m honored to serve as Music Director at the UU Church of Nashua since January of 2007. Aside from musical activities, my professional life has been as a software engineer.
I believe that music is a great space in which we can find beauty, wonder, joy, comfort and strength. I believe that everyone can make music, and probably should.
My introduction to music was an accidental consequence of a local church fire in 1968 (an electrical fire that started in the organ, of all things) after which some damaged equipment was sold off and my family received a hand-me-down piano. In the 40+ years since, I’ve played pianos from Nashua to Beijing, organs from Nashua to New York, and French horn from Nashua to, well, the south part of Nashua.
Although my own playing is centered mostly on keyboard instruments, my favorite musical instrument is the human voice. It’s easy-to-use, highly expressive, and quite versatile. And, it’s easy to carry around (a factor that we piano players never overlook). I love accompanying groups of singers, and the wonderful choir that was already in place at this church is one of the main factors that drew me here.
My goal in church is to make sure that every person here finds an opportunity for meaningful musical expression in the context of the church. Toward that end, I want to invite all of you to sing in the Choir or the occasional All Ages Choir. These groups are open to all singers without regard to experience or training. If you are able to come to the rehearsals, we want you!
I want to reach out specifically to anyone who was ever told that they couldn’t sing well or shouldn’t sing. I’ve met too many people who were told these things in childhood. If a parent, sibling, child or friend has told you that you can’t sing, then I’m sad that they limited your outlook, even if they meant well. If a teacher told you not to sing, then I hold that you’re the victim of a crime. If you view yourself as a non-singer, I hope that you will give me and the choir the opportunity to help you find your voice. Recognizing that our conceptions of our own limitations come to be deeply held over time, I promise to be patient as you explore new territory.
Your suggestions, questions, and comments are important to me. I hope you’ll share them in person (wherever and whenever you might catch up to me in church) or by email. Thank you!