Music

Music for Spiritual Healing

/ Cat / Leave a comment
Friday, March 22, 7:00 to 9:00pm, Sanctuary
The 1U Music Team is excited to offer an evening of music to soothe our minds and souls. On March 22,  mother and daughter musicians Melanie and Julia Willison, second- and third-generation Unitarian Universalists, will share a program of music based on a recital held in their hometown church, The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland, Michigan. Melanie has served that congregation as Music Coordinator and Accompanist for 20 years, and Julia shared her musical talents in the congregation since childhood and is also a member of the 1U Chalice Choir.

For the concert here at 1U, they have intentionally chosen music that acknowledges both human pain and loss, and the transformative power of hope, joy, and love … with plenty of fun sprinkled in!

We hope you will join us for this free musical offering in the Sanctuary. Come let the music touch your heart and mind. Benefit from the transformative, healing power of music.

sheet-music-6305620_1280

The Flying Horse Big Band was in flight at 1U despite rain.

/ Martha H / Leave a comment

Big Band photo SS 2024-01-15 at 7.31.55 PMDSC07417DSC07462DSC07475

An esteemed professor filled in at piano for the first half and a visiting professional drummer for a couple of sets toward the end-in true jazz tradition. So, with jazz, there are always surprises and innovations.

The Flying Horse Big Band is under the direction of saxophonist, American jazz musician, and professor Jeff Rupert. It has played at music festivals and appears at concert halls regionally and nationally. The Flying Horse Big Band is a big band of the Jazz studies program at the University of Central Florida.

In 2005, the UCF Jazz Ensemble I performed a world premier for double big band composed by Sam Rivers. Until February 2013, it was known as UCF Jazz Ensemble 1. This band has the distinction of being one of the few college groups to have both of its first two professional recordings (2011 and 2012) on the Flying Horse Records label[1] hit the top 50 of the JazzWeek charts.

Their debut album Jazz Town climbed to 43 on the JazzWeek chart in 2011.[2] Their 2012 release, The Blues is Alright topped out at 35th on JazzWeek’s chart in March 2013.[3]

Music Salon on February 17, 2024 – Flying Horse Big Band

/ Cat / Leave a comment

The second concert of “The Milk District Salon at 1U” 2023-2024 music series presented by the First Unitarian Church of Orlando, The Flying Horse Big Band, is one of the premiere performing ensembles of the UCF Music Department. It has appeared at the Montreux, Switzerland, and the North Sea Jazz Festivals, as well as numerous festival and concert appearances domestically. The band has featured Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Michael Mossman, James Moody, Nick Brignola, Harry Allen, Steve Turre, Rodney Holmes, Terry Gibbs, Marvin Stamm, Mulgrew Miller, John Swana, Kevin Mahogany, Lou Donaldson and Eric Alexander with the band. In 2005 the Flying Horse Big Band premiered Sam Rivers’ work for double big band, with Rivers’ RIVBEA orchestra. The group has had six recordings on the national jazz charts. Recordings include Jazz Town, The Blues is Alright, Into the Mystic, Big Man on Campus, The Bat Swings! And most recently Florida Rays. The last two albums climbed to #1 on the national (professional) jazz charts.

Former members of the band include musicians now performing on the Grammy’s and various television shows in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. Several others are now professors at universities around the country. The Flying Horse Big Band recordings can be found at FlyingHorseRecords.com

Join us Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 8 PM for a big night of big band fun!

Buy tickets here:  http://tinyurl.com/BigBandMilk

For more information on The Milk District Salon at 1U series, visit https://tinyurl.com/MDSalon1UConcertSeries

2022.04.08-FHBB-Tony_Firriolo-1-MOD

“Halloween Music Service (Multigenerational Worship Service)”

/ Carolina L. / Leave a comment

Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 10:30am

Worship Leaders: Aubrey Connelly-Candelario / Judith Stein-Farrall / Monteverde High School Choir

Calling all witches, goblins, and ghouls. The students from the Music Conservatory of Montverde Academy will be performing during the Sunday, October 29 service. Under the direction of 1U’s director of Music Aubrey Connelly-Candelario, this choir will sing and dance through a mini-concert of Halloween hits including “I Put a Spell on You”, “I’m in Love with A Monster”, “Old Black Magic”, “Thriller” and more!

See more program photos here.

DSC03270DSC03313DSC03277DSC03333DSC03345DSC03351DSC03379DSC03471DSC03514

Holly Near filled our hearts and our space

/ Martha H / Leave a comment

The Sanctuary was packed. Church members, friends, and Holly Near lovers from as far away as Ocala showed up at First Unitarian for the Florida part of her concert tour in the southern U.S. Without her accompanist who had injured his hand, Holly sang a cappella and told stories about her activism and her songs.

A singer friend from Ottawa, Jamie Anderson, began the concert and readied the crowd for Holly. Through her music and her words, Holly reflected on  a life of “speaking out” and showing up. Caring, speaking out, and showing up are essential actions-especially in this time and place.

DSC01405DSC01409DSC01435DSC01424DSC01414DSC01468DSC01456DSC01471DSC01493DSC01498

Holly Near Concert-Sept. 9 at 1U at 8:00 pm

/ Martha H / Leave a comment

download

The Milk District Salon at 1U series – presented by the First Unitarian Church of Orlando – is back!

Come celebrate creative defiance and the human spirit with singer/songwriter and activist Holly Near!

Holly Near has been singing for a more equitable world for over 40 creative years. With insightful musical storytelling, she engages listeners in the world around them — speaking to anyone who believes in peace, justice, and feminism.

Respected around the world for her commitment to music and activism, she released her 31st album in 2018.  Holly’s joy and passion continue to inspire people to join in her celebration of the human spirit.

One of the most powerful, consistent, and outspoken singers of our time, she is an ambassador for peace who brings to the stage a unique integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality.  BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

And, to get prepared to enjoy, have a listen by going to YouTube for song choices like “I am willing”  and “ Singing for our Lives-We are a gentle people.” In addition, PBS American Master offers a wonderful documentary about her life and her songs. Enjoy it whole or in segments.

Click to enjoy “I am willing” and for “Singing for Our Lives” or for the short promo American Masters program. You will be hooked again.

Holly Near | Milk District Salon at 1U on Sept 9, 2023

/ Cat / Leave a comment

Come celebrate creative defiance and the human spirit with singer/songwriter and activist Holly Near!

The Milk District Salon at 1U series – presented by the First Unitarian Church of Orlando – is back! Holly Near has been singing for a more equitable world for over 40 creative years. With insightful musical storytelling, she engages listeners in the world around them — speaking to anyone who believes in peace, justice, and feminism. Her music embraces a wonderful spectrum of humanity. Respected around the world for her commitment to music and activism, she released her 31st album in 2018.

Holly’s joy and and passion continue to inspire people to join in her celebration of the human spirit. One of the most powerful, consistent, and outspoken singers of our time, she is an ambassador for peace who brings to the stage a unique integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality.

When:  Sept 9, 2023 at 8 PM

Where:

First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 E. Robinson St.
Orlando FL 32803

Cost: $25 per ticket

Buy Tickets at EventBrite!