The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Music News & Events

March, 2010

The Louis Durra Trio
Sunday March 14, 7:30 p.m.

This will be the trio’s final concert of the season. Come to the Second Sunday supper at 6:00 pm and make it an evening! $10 suggested donation, reception following the concert. Also some corrections for the site: the music table happens on the second and fourth Sundays, and no longer on the fifth Sunday of each month. the music committee now meets on the fourth Sunday of the month.

December, 2009

"The Messiah"
Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 8:00 p.m. (note time change!)

Selections from Handel’s Messiah will be performed by Michelle McWilliams, Danielle Marcelle Bond, Steve Grabe and Eric Carampatan, accompanied by a chamber ensemble. Suggested donation is $15, or $10 with a non perishable food donation for the Westside Food Bank. Reception following the performance. Some parking will be available at the Seventh Day Adventist parking lot on 19th street between Arizona and Wilshire. Reservations for the concert can be made at messiah.at.uusm@hotmail.com

Roy Zimmerman
Sunday December 20, 7:00 pm

Roy Zimmerman, singer, songwriter and satirist Come hear satirical genius Roy Zimmerman present his comic and insightful slant on current events. Roy has been writing songs for 20 years in the tradition of Tom Lehrer and Phil Ochs and has performed across the nation. Suggested donation $15

November, 2009

Saturday Spotlight Stewardship Celebration
Saturday, November 14, 6:00 p.m.

Let us entertain you! Come hear a variety of music performed by church members, followed by an update from the Settled Minister Search Committee, a video tribute to UUCCSM, and a gourmet chili feast provided by the Stewardship Committee. Free admission, childcare provided for babies and toddlers. Contact Patrick Meighan for more information.

October, 2009

Louis Durra Trio
Sunday ,October 11, 7:30 p.m.

Louis Durra and his trio will dazzle and enchant us in their first show of the year in the Sanctuary. And why not make a whole UUSM night of it? Consider coming along to the Second Sunday Supper Potluck in Forbes at 6pm, soak up an hour of jazz at 7:30pm, and then wrap it all up by joining us at the post-Louis-Durra-Trio champagne reception. $10 suggested donation.

Musical Mixer Madness
Sunday, October 18, 2:00 p.m.

Our second musical mixer will take place in the cottage from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. This time we are reading through some classical repertoire. No rehearsal is essential! This gathering will be informal and fun. Just let Victor Wylie know that you plan to come and what instrument you will be bringing along with you.

April, 2009

On Sunday, April 5, Roy Zimmerman will be our guest musician at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Roy has been writing satirical songs for 20 years working in the comedic tradition of Tom Lehrer and the folk tradition of Phil Ochs. He is a wonderful performer, nationally known, and often plays at UU churches around the country. If you want to hear more, Roy will be playing at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica that same Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. In the meantime, you can check Roy and his music at http://www.youtube.com/user/RoyZimmerman.

The Louis Durra Trio will be performing April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow. To whet your appetite, here are a few musical thoughts from our very own Mr. Durra:

“Steve Wight once said to me, “Did you ever notice that the golden age of songwriting was whenever the person talking was sixteen?” I came up with an eclectic-listening family and music education — classical music, Motown, Big Bands, Santana, The Beatles — were all in the air around me as a small child. My horizons became vastly broader when I "grewed up" and was performing all of the time.

“One of the coolest things (ah, yes, coolest — that's the technical term) about playing at Ye Olde UUCCSM is the open-nessivity , even demand. for performing in many different realms of music. Between what the soloists bring to the first service, Steve's choices and arrangements for the choir, and topical requests for the services — the musical styles have spread around 400 years pretty thick. With the other music going in that many directions, I'm encouraged to make eclectic choices for the prelude music. Last week 20th century Hungarian composer Bela Bartók and Bob Dylan (another utra-modern Hungarian) respectively rounded out the first and second services. This week the request has come in from the guest speaker for Ramsey Lewis and Kurt Weill. I'm looking at some Debussy (good friend of Carlos Santana's) for next week. K, that's enough chatter, back to the platters. . . .”

— Bronwen Jones

January, 2009

The Louis Durra Trio forsakes its recent genre-hopping explorations to play a concert of straight-ahead jazz. Find out and hear what that sounds like. It’s always awesome. January 18, 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Champagne reception follows. $10 suggested donation.

Watch out for the upcoming early choir Sunday. Our devoted choir members and section leaders will sing at 9 a.m. instead of 11 a.m. and our 11a.m. crowd will hear our guest musician. The very first one of these for 2009 will be 9 a.m., January 25.

The Music Committee is launching a new series of events coordinated by VictorWylie. Folks are invited to come together and play music. No rehearsal required. This will occur four times a year. Two will be for popular music and two for the classical repertoire. All are welcome. Our first event will be all kinds of popular music on February 8, 4–6 p.m. Look out for more information in February’s newsletter.

A Celestial Christmas was a really wonderful evening. Seven opera singers from Michelle McWilliam’s Celestial Opera Company blended superbly in our small and elegant sanctuary. Their performances were interspersed with a singalong. Some of us sang, and some of us just wanted to keep hearing those magical voices. It was a beautiful 85 minutes of music followed by champagne, pastries, and chat with the artists.

— Rima Snyder & Bronwen Jones Co-Chairs, Music Committe

December, 2008

Our Saturday Spotlight last month was a blast. It is always a friendly environment in which we can all strut our stuff. And the Louis Durra Trio’s opening concert for the season, twisting well-known Beatles tunes, was a sensation. It is really a treat to hear such great jazz within our sanctuary walls.

This month’s main music event is A Celestial Christmas. The Celestial Opera Company (Michelle’s McWilliams’ group) and our UU music committee are co-sponsoring this delightful evening to be held on Saturday, December 13, at 7 p.m. Local opera singers and company members perform in this special evening of seasonal classical favorites and traditional carols with an audience sing-a-long. Yay! See ad for more info.

During December, the music committee will reintroduce the Music Table in Forbes Hall after church. Come and stock up on Louis’ CDs and DVDs, and the choir’s CDs for all your holiday needs.

We welcome Judith Straw and Victor Wylie to the music committee. Judith will be covering PR for our events. Victor is going to launch a whole new music program — Sunday afternoon jam sessions and chamber music readings in the cottage. Folks will be invited to hang out to play and/or listen to music, just for fun. No rehearsal essential.

— Rima Snyder and Bronwen Jones Co-Chairs,Music Committee

A Celestial Christmas

Mark your calendars for a very special concert and singalong of holiday music performed by The Celestial Opera Company Singers.

Saturday, December 13, 7 pm at The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Tickets: $15 or $10 with a non-perishable food donation at the door. Call our ticket hotline (626) 628-3305 for more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit our website at www.celestialoperacompany.org

November, 2008

Saturday Spotlight
Saturday, November 1, 7:00 pm

Come and enjoy your fellow UUs as they sing, act, read poetry, and try out their stand up routines. It's a lot of fun, and we always wrap up the evening with a reception in Forbes Hall. Admission is free.

Louis Durra Trio
Sunday, November 9, 7:00pm

Don¹t miss the Louis Durra Trio's first show for the year! Veteran jazz pianist Louis Durra performs with his longtime bandmates bassist Larry Steen and drummer Jerry Kalaf. This will be a thematic concert, as they present their highly personal take on the music of the Beatles. If you haven¹t been before, or it has been a while, come and remind yourself how wonderful it is to have Louis in our music program. Tickets $10, reception following the concert.

October, 2008

Our music program warmly welcomes tenor section leader Michael Lamb back into the fold. It’s wonderful to have his talent and great spirit with us again.

Stevening: "Why The Heck Do They Need a Conductor?"
Saturday, October 4, 7:00 pm.

The answer is that herding musicians is like herding Unitarians. How do you organize all those voices and make them one? There will be some fun stories that you can tell at your next dinner party. Admission is free, reception following in Forbes Hall.

"Getting to Know You": A Musical Tea Party
Sunday, October 12, 12:15 p.m. in the cottage

Tea, sherry, sandwiches and scones will be served, along with a little entertainment, and information about our music program. Please join us, perhaps we can even tempt you into getting involved!

Saturday Spotlight
Saturday, November 1, 7:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars for the first Saturday Spotlight of the year. Start thinking about what song, poem, theatrical sketch or short story you would like to share with your friends.

— Rima Snyder & Bronwen Jones Co-Chairs,Music Committee

June, 2008

Louis Durra Trio to Play June 8

The Louis Dura Trio performs Sunday, June 8, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Don’t miss Louis’ final jazz concert of the season. $10 at the door.

May, 2008

Dining for Dollars Choir Concert - "Greatest Hits"
Saturday, May 10, 7:00 PM

It's the UUSM annual spring choir concert, where you¹ll hear your favorite songs from the last few Dining for Dollars extravaganzas, including "Age of Aquarius/ Let the Sunshine In," "All My Trials," "Bali Hai," "Embraceable You," "59th St. Bridge Song," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Moon River," "No One Mourns the Wicked," "Some Enchanted Evening," "The Sound of Silence," "Summertime," you get the picture. It'll be a blast!

Tickets available in advance for $13 or $15 at the door

Stevening II: "Gravicembalo col Piano e Forte" (or "If I Had a Hammer")
Saturday, May 31, 7:00 PM

Music Director Steve Wight will give a talk with musical examples, this time about the development of the piano and what it has meant to musical history. Composers in all ages have sought new forms of musical expression suited to the spirit of their age. For composers at the turn of the 18th century, this meant leaving behind the complexities of Baroque counterpoint in favor of a texture of melody and accompaniment, often with dramatic dynamic shifts. The demand for an instrument suited to this new style led a gifted instrument maker to perhaps the most brilliant and influential invention in musical history. This is the story of his visionary idea, without which the concertos of Mozart, the sonatas of Beethoven, the Preludes of Chopin, the rags of Scott Joplin, and the improvisations of Thelonious Monk could not exist.

Admission is free, reception following.

April, 2008

Call Off Your Old Tire Ezz-Thetics (COYOTE)
Louis Durra Trio Jazz Concert
Sunday, April 27, 7:00 pm  

Louis Durra, Larry Steen and Jerry Kalaf experiment this time with versions of Bjork, the White Stripes and other musical surprises rarely heard in jazz clubs! Champagne reception will follow. $10 suggested donation.

March, 2008

Saturday Spotlight
Saturday, March 22, 7:00 p.m.

It’s time to warm up your fingers, vocal chords, sense of humor, and joie de vivre. Come to entertain or to be entertained. Poetry, songs, comedy, short stories, instrumental solos and groups — all talents and genres are welcome and will be accommodated. If you would like to perform, contact Bronwen Jones.

February, 2008

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, February 24, 7:00 p.m.

Once again, the incomparable Louis Durra Trio will play their magical jazz in the graceful ambience of our sanctuary. It is a treat not to be missed. Please join us and hear Louis Durra on the ivories, Jerry Kalaf on the drums, and Larry Steen on bass. A champagne reception will follow. For more information contact Bronwen Jones.

Jaunary, 2008

Stevening I: The Great 20th Century Music Robbery
Saturday, January 19, 7:00 p.m.

Many of the composers of contemporary classical music had an intimate knowledge and love of the music of their predecessors. In fact, there are a large number of 20th century classics by composers such as Stravinsky, Bartok, Webern, Strauss, Copland, and others, which are stolen directly - sometimes note-for-note - from older music. Come discover how short the distance is from Bach to Webern, from cowboy songs to Copland, or from Pergolesi and Tchaikovsky to Stravinsky. Admission is free.

Opera Coming to UUCCSM

The Celestial Opera Company returns to UUCCSM this spring with a new production of “The Bartered Bride,” a comic tale of love and trickery by Bedfiich Smetana. The opera will be performed in English. Watch for dates.

October, 2007

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, October 14, 7:00 p.m.

Come hear our own Louis Durra, bassist Larry Steen and drummer Jerry Kalaf play selections from their newly released CD, "What We Have". There will be a reception after the concert. Suggested donation $10.

Jim Scott Songfest
Friday, October 26, 7:00 p.m.

Renew your spirit and celebrate UU ideals in song. Drawing on his own music and other songs of ecology, diversity, community and peace, Jim invites the audience to join in joyful music of all sorts. Come listen or participate. No experience necessary! Suggested donation $10, free parking available at the UCLA garage.

June, 2007

Stevening II - Vox Humana
Saturday, June 2, 7:00 p.m.

Music director Steve Wight will talk about the range and expression of the human voice. Listen and learn about the panoply of vocal sound and how it expresses the depth of human emotions throughout all the world's cultures. Free admission.

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Friday, June 8, 7:00 p.m.

The final jazz concert of the season by the incomparable Louis Durra Trio. Come hear Louis, drummer Jerry Kalaf, and bassist Larry Steen sizzle, and coll down with some champagne after the concert. Suggested donation $10.

Appreciation

Those who attended this year’s Dining for Dollars choir event, “I Get A Kick Out Of UU,” had a wonderful evening of fun and entertainment. The Music Committee would like to thank our fabulous Steve Wight and Louis Durra for once again putting their amazing talent to work for us. We would also like to thank the choir for all their devotion and time spent to learn and sing all those notes, to Rima Snyder, our ever-patient librarian, to the instrumentalists who donated their time, to Diana Spears, Sue Moore, Nedra Bickel, and Marv Pulliam for hosting the reception, to Peter van den Beemt for pouring the champagne, to Joe Hardin for building a stage for the orchestra, to Norb Gallery for honchoing the sound system, for the printers and tapers of music at Sue Bickford’s house, and to all those who helped set up and tear down the stuff, returning the Sanctuary to its serenity. The whole event was characterized by everyone’s spirited desire to put on a very fine show.

— Bronwen Jones, Co-Chair, Music Committee

May, 2007

Dining for Dollars Choir Concert - “I Get A Kick Out of U.U.!”
Saturday, May 5, 7:00 p.m.

The UUCCSM choir presents their annual spring concert in the sanctuary on Saturday, May 5, at 7 p.m. This year the theme is Broadway showtunes. Tickets are available in advance for $13 and at the door for $16.

April, 2007

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, April 15, 7:00 p.m.

Our own Louis Durra and the incomparable Louis Durra Trio will put on their third jazz concert of the season in the sanctuary on Sunday, April 15, at 7 p.m. Take a break from your taxes! Come hear Louis, drummer Jerry Kalaf, and bassist Larry Steen work their magic on jazz standards and original music. If you’ve heard them before, you know. If you haven’t, you’ve missed some of the best jazz in LA. Suggested donation $10.

Hansel and Gretel
Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.

Bring the whole family to this concert version of the classic opera by Englebert Humperdinck. It will feature fabulous local singers including UUSM’s resident soprano soloist, Michelle McWilliams. The performance, in English, is presented by The Celestial Opera Company and sponsored by the UUSM Music Committee. It lasts just over an hour, making it a great way to introduce your children to opera. Suggested donation $10-$15 Reception in Forbes Hall after the concert.

March, 2007

Spotlight Saturday
Saturday, March 24, 7:00 p.m.

Our second Spotlight Saturday will entertain you with a wealth of songs and stories presented by church members and friends. Come join us for an evening of fun! Admission is free.

February, 2007

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, February 18, 7:00 p.m.

Our own Louis Durra and the incomparable Louis Durra Trio will put on their second jazz concert of the season in the sanctuary on Sunday, February 18, at 7 p.m. Come hear Louis, drummer Jerry Kalaf, and bassist Domenic Genova work their magic on jazz standards and original music. If you’ve heard them before, you know. If you haven’t, you’ve missed some of the best jazz in LA. Suggested donation $10. For more information contact Peter van den Beemt.

January, 2007

Stevening I
The Colorists
Saturday, January 20, 7:00 PM

Everyone knows that music has attributes like melody, harmony, and rhythm.  Another quality of music is what musicians call color, and it is in this area that some of the most striking innovations of the last 250 years of western classical music have been made.  What is color in music, and who are music's great colorists?  Come find out! Free admission.

November, 2006

Spotlight Saturday
Saturday, November 11, 7:00 p.m.

Last year's Church Talent Sunday has morphed into Spotlight Saturday, an evening of entertainment provided by church members and friends. Come hear just how good we are!

October, 2006

"The Viola, in Concert
Sunday, October 29, 7:00 p.m.

Come hear this classical viola concert put on by members of the Southern California Viola Society, headed by Jennie Henson.  Donation $15

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, October 8, 7:00 p.m.

Our own Louis Durra and the incomparable Louis Durra Trio will put on a jazz concert in the sanctuary on Sunday, October 8, at 7:00 PM. Come hear Louis and the band work their magic on jazz standards and original compositions. If you’ve heard them before, you know. If you haven’t, you’ve missed some of the best jazz in LA. Suggested donation is $10

July, 2006

UUCCSM Choir at UCLA
Sunday, July 30, 4:00 p.m.

Our choir will perform "Songs of Peace" as part of UCLA's Summer Sunset Series. This summer's concerts are presented in conjunction with the UCLA Fowler Museum's premier of the traveling art exhibition, "The Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama." The museum is open from noon to 5:00 p.m.. Admission is free to both the Fowler Museum exhibit and to the outdoor concert, which will be held next to the museum. Parking is available for $8 in Campus Lot 4.

June, 2006

The YBC Trio
Saturday, June 24 at 3:00 PM

Paula Yoo, violin: performs on a regular freelance basis for both classical ensembles and rock and jazz bands. She also writes for TV, including NBC's "The West Wing." Niklas Bertani, cello, performs regularly with the Caltech-Occidental College Orchestra and the Santa Monica Symphony. Gloria Cangahuala, piano: has played with the Santa Monica Symphony and currently with the Claremont Symphony Orchestra.           

Program:
Dvorak "Romance" for Violin and Piano
Boccherini Sonata #6 in A Major - Adagio - Allegro brillante for Cello and Piano
Mendelssohn Trio No. 1 in d minor for violin, cello, and piano

Reception to follow. Admission is free.

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, June 4, 8:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: This event has been CANCELLED.

May, 2006

Choir Concert
"Let There Be Peace on Earth" - Songs of Social Conscience
Saturday, May 6, 7:00 PM

The UUCCSM Choir, under the direction of Steve Wight, will present a concert of songs of activism and protest from different eras of the 20th century. All proceeds go to the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica. Suggested donation of $15 at the door.

April, 2006

Stevening IV
The Golden Age of Music
Saturday, April 8, 7:00 PM

In every field of human endeavor there arises from time to time a Golden Age, when, for reasons no one has ever quantified, achievement within the field is on a much higher level than usual. There is such an age in music, and the works of the period are not among the best known to most music lovers. Free admission.

March, 2006

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, March 12, 7:00 p.m.

Oour own Louis Durra and the incomparable Louis Durra Trio will present a jazz concert in the sanctuary on Sunday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. come hear Louis with drummer and bassist work their magic on jazz standards and original music. If you've heard them before, you know. If you haven't, you've missed some of the best jazz in LA. Suggested donation is $10.

February, 2006

Stevening III:
The "Three B"s of American Music -
Barber, Bernstein, and Copland
Saturday, February 11 at 7:00 PM

Somewhere in the dim past, some wise soul decreed that classical music had three essential Bs: Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. In our cultural consciousness, this placed Brahms in a higher echelon of the musical pantheon than, for example, Mozart. In the interest of musical accuracy at the expense of a foolish consistency of spelling, this evening will be an examination of the lives, works, and influence of three giants of American music, almost all of whose names begin with B.

January, 2006

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, January 22, 7:00 p.m.

Our own Louis Durra and the incomparable Louis Durra Trio will present a jazz concert in the sanctuary on Sunday, January 22, at 7:00 PM. Come hear Louis, drummer Jerry Kalaf and bassist Larry Steen work their magic on jazz standards and original music. If you've heard them before, you know. If you haven't, you've missed some of the best jazz in LA. Suggested donation is $10.

December, 2005

Three Rhapsodic Romanians
Thursday, December 29, 7:30 PM

Three Romanian boys, ages 12, 13 and 14, will put on a piano recital on Thursday, December 29th at 7:00 pm. The three young virtuosi will perform classical, gypsy, and jazz works, including J. Strauss’ Radetzky Marsh, written for six hands, one piano. Admission is free. Come join the fun!

"Stevening II
"The Music and Recordings of the Beatles, II"
Saturday, December 3, 7:00 p.m.

Back by popular demand! The evening in October was so successful, and Steve had so much left that he hadn't said, that the overwhelming response from the audience was, "Do another one!" - so we are. (See October events for details.)

November, 2005

Louis Durra Trio in Concert
Sunday, November 6, 7:00 p.m.

Our own Louis Durra and the incomparable Louis Durra Trio will present a jazz concert in the sanctuary on Sunday, November 6, at 7:00 PM. Come hear Louis, drummer Jerry Kalaf and bassist Dan Lutz work their magic on jazz standards and original music. If you've heard them before, you know. If you haven't, you've missed some of the best jazz in LA. Admission is $10.

October, 2005

"The Music and Recordings of the Beatles"
(First "Stevening" of the New Season)
Saturday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.

Among rock fans, the Beatles are generally regarded as the greatest band ever. Among people who practice the art of recording professionally, the Beatles are held in even higher regard.On Saturday,October 15, at 7 p.m,Music Director Steve Wight will present the first in the 2005-06 “Stevenings” series and “The Music and Recordings of the Beatles” in our church sanctuary. Admission is free. This will not be a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane or a discussion of goofy haircuts. If you don’t know what the first violin plays in the last verse of “Scrambled Eggs,” what the role of the Fairchild 660 and 770 compressors played in the sound of Beatles records, how tonic major/minor key changes are used in such songs as “Penny Lane” and “Fool On the Hill,” or what a Clavioline is, you may get a fresh look at music you’ve known for 40 years.

June, 2005

Saturday, June 18, 7:00 p.m.
Stevening IV:
"The Day the World Changed: A-1 Sauce, the Eiffel Tower and the Altered Face of Musical Time in the West"

Details TBA

May, 2005

Saturday, May 7 (time TBA)
Nevenka

A women's folk chorus performing songs of Eastern Europe. In the eastern tradition, Nevenka includes women of all ages (18 on up!)

Saturday, May 21, 7:00 p.m.
Choir Dining for Dollars Event:
"We Shall Overcome -- Songs of Social Conscience"

Details TBA. Tickets at the door.

March, 2005

Saturday, March 20, 7:00 p.m.
The Louis Durra Trio

You know how good one third of them is. Imagine Louis times three! Jazz standards and original music. Suggested Donation $10.