Music at First Parish

Music at First Parish in Cohasset plays an important role in the ministry of the church. It offers an opportunity for our members and children to participate in the creation of something beautiful and it enhances our spiritual joining at our Sunday services.

Adult Choir

Our adult choir provides music for our worship services almost every week. They are also called on from time to time to provide their talents to other events, such as the annual Martin Luther King Breakfast, union services held with local UU churches, and at the solemn occasion of memorial services for our cherished members.

The music of First Parish is a rich blend of the traditional and an eclectic mix drawn from a vast array of genres, including Gospel, African, Hebrew, jazz, pop, and Broadway. Our choir might sing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus at Easter and a traditional African song two weeks later.

Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 and for one hour before Sunday services. All are heartily welcome to join the choir, whatever their level of expertise. Anyone interested should contact Mary Beth Courtright, our Music Director.

Children’s Choir

The children’s choir sings on an irregular basis. All children and teens are welcome to participate on a pick-up basis. We typically lead the rest of the congregation in singing a song that we already know, such as “Blue Boat Home” or “Swimming to the Other Side.” We run through the song in Sunday school the week before.

Children are also invited to participate in the monthly song circles on Sunday morning.

Pop-Up Choir

Every Voice is Welcome in our Pop-Up Choir

We just started the tradition in 2025 and have had a great response to the two that we’ve offered. No prior experience or previous attendance necessary. This is a family-friendly happening.

What is it?   A one-off musical event where you will learn a short and easy song before the service begins, then sing it as a group during the service. You do not need to read music or have any choir experience (although you won’t be turned away if you do.)

Why come?  You want to enjoy the experience of singing in a group but can’t commit to weekly choir rehearsals. The emphasis will be on enjoyment, not perfection.

When do I show up?  9:15am on a designated Sunday at the Meeting House. You will be led through a short vocal warmup followed by a fun, focused singing session.

Pop-Up Choir Motto: Everyone is good enough, and every voice is welcome!

Song Circle

On most third Sundays of the month, join an informal song circle from 11:30-12 noon. We sing in the Atkinson Room.

Ukulele Circle

The ukulele circle meets on 2nd and 4th Mondays from 7 to 8:30 in Trueblood Hall. All skill levels are welcome. Ukulele-friendly instruments (guitar, etc.) are also welcome. Or you can sing, or just listen. Loaner ukuleles are available.

Hand Bells

The hand bell choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 8:30 to 9:30, upstairs in the Meetinghouse. Beginning ringers are welcome.

First Parish owns a three-octave set of Whitechapel hand bells.

Our Organ

On Sundays the Meeting House is filled with the glorious music of an 1892 George S. Hutchings & Co. Opus 274 pipe organ. The organ underwent a substantial rebuilding in 1970 and has been maintained in excellent working condition since.

For organ lovers, here’s some technical information. The organ has 2 manuals, 3 divisions, and 21 stops. The manual compass is 61, the pedal compass is 30. The manuals have a

mechanical connection from key to chest, the pedalboard does not.

Stoplist:

Great Division

Diapason 8’

Stillflote 8’

Waldflote 4’

Octave 4’

Super Octave 2’

Mixture II

Trumpet 8’

Swell Division

Bourdon Treble 16’

Bourdon Bass 16’

Stopped Diapason 8’

Viola 8’

Celeste 8’

Principal 4’

Flageolet 2’

Sesquialtera II

Oboe 8’

Pedal Division

Subbass 16’

Gedeckt 8’ (Subbass extension)

Principal 8’ (pipes located outside case on either side)

Choralbass 4’ (pipes located outside case on either side)

Posaune 16’

(Great Trumpet extension)

Trumpet 8’ (Great)