Music has always been an integral part of our spiritual and cultural life at First Church Boston. It is how we rejoice, connect and seek to inspire and be inspired. 

The church is home to the First Church Boston Choral Ensemble, a 12-voice fully professional chamber choir that sings a colorful array of various types of music. The ensemble can be found on any given Sunday with music that is from the classical canon, jazz, Broadway, art song and folk traditions. We draw from these many sources and traditions in keeping with the intent and spirit of Unitarian Universalist worship which keeps our hearts aglow and highlights our interconnectedness. We have a deep connection to the greater musical world outside our church and have had many talented instrumentalists from some of Boston’s most prestigious ensembles as our guests throughout the year.

We are fortunate to have two wonderful composers in residence at First Church Boston, Ellie Miller and Larry Thomas Bell. Their work reflects our commitment to the music of living composers. In 2021, a special hymn was commissioned and written for us for the 50^th Anniversary Celebration by acclaimed hymnologist and hymn writer, Carl P. Daw, Jr.  

Although we have a fully professional chamber choir, we also heartily welcome opportunities throughout the year for capable volunteers. Volunteer opportunities have included participation in our larger 21-member Festival Choir for the 50^th Anniversary Celebration with brass ensemble, organ and percussion; a Sunday hymn sing with Brass ensemble, and various Music Sunday celebrations. There are also special services with volunteer opportunities, including a traditional Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve service, a Winter Solstice evening complete with a mummers play and the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, traditional solstice music and, in some years, a Celtic Harp recital. Other special services of interest are Poetry Sunday which includes solely the ‘music of verse,’ and others which showcase a vast array of non-traditional instruments such as banjo, squeeze box, Celtic fiddle, djembe and other delights too many to mention.

All church-sponsored events are free and open to the public. To see a listing of our services as well as our guest ensemble series and recitals, please check the calendar section of our website.