Music
Our Music Director
Lynne Wilkinson
Lynne Wilkinson first came to First Parish in the fall of 1987 as a paid soloist/section leader and subsequently became our Music Director in 1992. Lynne originally hails from Madison, Connecticut where she studied piano from the time she was 4 years old. Her singing career began as a member of the Children’s Choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Lynne’s degree in music from the University of New Hampshire was further advanced with voice study at the New England Conservatory of Music and Temple University. She has a wide range of Choral experience. She sang for 34 years with The Boston Cecilia, was the Music Director of The New English Song & Daunce Companie, The co-founder/director of the musical ensemble, Ayriel and is the creator/director of the women’s a cappella chorus, Persephone’s Daughters. Lynne loves music and loves making it accessible to all who are interested. She has taught both piano and voice privately and has performed in schools, museums and concert venues throughout New England. Lynne loves to teach and to bring out the musical best in those with whom she works.
Comments from our Music Director
I believe that music is a ministry. Music creates a spiritual space that is unique unto itself. It speaks often to the heart and psyche and inspires thought, reflection and reminiscences that might otherwise lie dormant within us. Because of this special opportunity that music provides within the service each Sunday, I choose music that will enhance the message of the sermon and the theme of the service in general. I love the creative process of working together with the minister to provide worship experiences in which all of the separate parts come together to make a spiritual whole. I draw from a variety of musical forms and traditions and am continually gathering music wherever I go. I try to bring the excitement that I feel about music to the choir and to the congregation.
About the Children’s Choir / Comments by Lynne WilkinsonFrom time to time the children of our congregation come together to form a “Children’s Choir”. This has been an informal gathering open to any of our children who are interested in singing. There is usually a short rehearsal (about 30 minutes) on a Sunday after church previous to the scheduled service and then again on that morning. This is a wonderful way for the children to be in community together, to learn about music and making music and to share their talents with the congregation and each other. Please speak with either Lynne or Kym Johnson, Director of Religious Education, if your child is interested in being part of a children’s choir.
About the Choir / Comments by Lynne WilkinsonThere is an overall air of excitement and possibility at First Parish these days. It is with this energy of possibility that I approach the music each week with our small but mighty Choir, nicknamed by us, “The Little Choir That Could”. We are in some ways exemplary of the congregation’s leadership as a whole in that we trust in the healing process of making music together, are willing to take risks and try new things, are supportive of each other and are committed to serving the congregation as best we can. The choir is open and welcoming to all those who enjoy singing and sharing their voices. We sing weekly from Ingathering Sunday in September through June. We meet at 8:30-9:40 each Sunday morning and occasionally meet on a weeknight for special occasions. If you would like to join please speak with me or any member of the choir, or show up on Sunday morning at 8:30. We would love to see “The Little Choir That Could” become “The Big Choir That Could”. |
About the OrganistWe at First Parish are blessed to have a very good organist who is willing and able to try new things and at the same time has a varied classical repertoire. She, Licia Lemieux, is equally at ease playing the piano and the organ and is also an oboist. She has been a church organist for many years and has worked for varying denominations. This is her 7th year at First Parish. Unlike the choir that sings September through June, Licia plays for services throughout the summer. She is also employed as a full time music teacher in the Duxbury School System. She also teaches music lessons privately.
The James Spooner FundJames Spooner (1868-1954), one of Plymouth’s outstanding benefactors, was a member of First Parish Church and served on its Music Committee. In his will he made provision for the enrichment of music at First Parish. He wished to insure that “high grade music” continue to be part of worship for years to come. Thus our music program is partially subsidized by The James Spooner Fund.
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