Where in Milton can you go to hear some of Boston’s finest musicians performing every week on Sunday morning?
Where in Milton can you go to hear one of the finest pipe organs on the South Shore, a beautiful seven-foot grand piano, and a glorious acoustic inside an historic and breathtaking church building, Milton’s oldest (built in 1787) alongside its own matching children’s church?
Where in Milton can you hear a choir of 20-25 committed and multi-talented musicians bolstered by a trio of paid professional soloists?
Where in Milton can you hear a series of musical performances open to the entire town?
Come find out for yourself by paying a visit to First Parish Church of Milton, located at 535 Canton Avenue on the Town Green. Under the direction of Timothy Steele (organist, pianist, and conductor currently in his twenty-fourth year on the opera faculty at New England Conservatory), the music program at this Unitarian-Universalist church is just one part of a vibrant welcoming community. Interim minister Hank Peirce leads services each Sunday morning at 10:30 am and new choir members are always welcome at any time, with choir rehearsals on Sundays at 8:45 am (no audition necessary).
Since September First Parish has hosted performances by Boston Lyric Opera mezzo-soprano Vanessa Schukis, professional violist Francis Grimes, operatic soprano Erin Rogers, and multiple musicians who assembled to honor the memory of bass-baritone T. Stephen Smith. Looking ahead on January 10th will be a concert featuring the “Dueling Divas”; on February 1st a not-to-be-missed musical version of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” by baritone Philip Lima; and on March 1st a rare public performance by the local women’s ensemble Luminaria. And more surprises to come.
This Christmas Eve an early 5pm service will include carols, a pageant, and special music under the direction of Joel Hiller. A 10pm service will feature the Meetinghouse Choir and soloists in a special commemoration of the 100th anniversary of a unique and moving WWI Christmas Eve event, along with some of your favorite Christmas anthems.
Come be surprised, welcomed, and inspired at First Parish Church in Milton, perhaps one of Milton’s best-kept secrets. You are welcome to contact the church office at 617-698-6329 with any questions, and you can learn more about us on our website, www.fpmilton.org, or check us out on Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!
Every one of the singers above is part of maintaining a long-standing and strong choral history at FP of Milton. I sang with them for 26 years before moving West to Arizona in the Fall of 2013…and I’ve missed singing and my friends every single week since then…trust me…being in the part of the country settled first makes a HUGE difference when it comes to established programs like music and established instruments like the Pipe Organ or 7-ft grand. Long-standing tradition of being a welcome and valued part of the church service….keep it up….and I’ll be cheering from the Desert. With Love and Hugs, Paul L.