Organ Gala Concert

First Parish in Bedford will celebrate the restoration of its historic 1885 Hook &amp; Hastings tracker organ with a special Gala Concert and reception on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Hosted by the First Parish Music Committee and Capital Campaign Committee, the afternoon will feature First Parish organist Sandra LaBarge-Neumann, joined by distinguished guest organists Heinrich Christensen and David Carrier, two of the Boston area’s most respected performers. Built in 1885 and acquired by First Parish in 1898, the organ has been part of the musical life of the congregation for more than 125 years. Its intricate mechanical system reflects the craftsmanship of 19th-century organ building: with the exception of the electric motor that supplies air to the wind chests, the instrument operates mechanically through an elaborate system of levers, rods and slides connecting the keyboard to its ranks of pipes. The organ underwent its last comparable overhaul in 1970. This summer, specialists from the Andover Organ Company dismantled much of the instrument and removed its wind chests and other components for reconstruction. The project addressed problems that had begun appearing in the aging instrument, including air leakage and occasional “cyphers” — notes that continue to sound after a key has been released. The $53,100 refurbishment was funded through First Parish’s recent $1.7 million capital campaign and is expected to give the historic instrument many more decades of service. The restoration also uncovered a small piece of First Parish history. Removing the organ pipes exposed part of the sanctuary wall normally hidden from view and revealed an inscription that had not been seen in more than half a century: “Meeting House Erected 1816.” The October 4 concert will give the wider community an opportunity to hear the renewed instrument in the hands of three accomplished organists and to celebrate the preservation of an important part of First Parish’s musical heritage. A reception will follow the concert. The community is warmly invited to attend this festive afternoon of music and celebration.

First Parish Bedford Unitarian Universalist 

An Evening of Jazz

Jazz is alive and swinging in 2026! Join us in the Common Room for an evening of toe-tapping tunes, soulful ballads, and vibrant rhythms from the world of jazz. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just jazz-curious, this musical evening is not to be missed. Enjoy a rich mix of classic standards, bossa nova, bebop, and original pieces—featuring both vocal and instrumental performances. Our talented First Parish Family band includes: Emory&nbsp;Carroll – drums Dean Groves – electric bass Dave Southard&nbsp;&amp; Ian Carroll – sax Steve Sussman – piano Buffie Groves and Cynthia Mork -- vocals This year's concert will feature a special appearance by the a cappella vocal group Fretless, with David Getty, Alison Weaver, Becky Linton, Grant Hicks, and Clark Jarvis. We’ll have a light bar and plenty of snacks. Feel free to eat, drink, and enjoy the music. Admission by suggested donation at the door: $20 for Adults $15 for Seniors and Students All proceeds go to support First Parish in Bedford. Come celebrate community, music, and the spirit of jazz!

The First Parish in Bedford

"Why Do They Shut Me Out of Heaven?" Valerie Anastasio, soprano and Steve Sussman, piano

“Why Do They Shut Me Out of Heaven?”, a concert featuring soprano Valerie Anastasio (http://www.valerieandtim.com) and pianist Steve Sussman (https://rscadmin6.wixsite.com/home/faculty-directory/steve-sussman). The concert will feature songs by Richard Strauss, Kurt Weill, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein.

First Parish Bedford UU

Irish Celebration -- A Family Event

First Parish's 5th annual Irish Celebration happens on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 5 p.m. Hosted by the Music Committee and Ian Carroll, it will include an evening of incredible Celtic music by Ian joined by local Irish music specialists Joy Grimes, Emily Peterson, and Dirk Tiede. Janet Welby will lead the youth choirs singing Irish songs including "Rattlin' Bog", and Nate Sellers will share some stories.&nbsp;This year's event will feature a potluck meal during intermission. Bring your favorite dish of any kind to share. Desserts will be provided.&nbsp; Suggested Donations Collected at the door: $20 adults $15 seniors and students Proceeds to benefit First Parish

This Heart of Mine - This Heart of Mine -- The Songs of Harry Warren and virtuosic romantic violin masterpieces

This Heart of Mine -- The Songs of Harry Warren and virtuosic romantic violin masterpieces 16th Annual Valentine's Day Concert Sunday, February 8 at 4:00 pm Cynthia Mork, Ben Sears (vocals) and Bradford Conner (piano) With Special Guest Violinist Haig Hovespian Scrumptious chocolate reception to follow!&nbsp; Ben Sears and Bradford Conner, founders and producing directors of the American Classics ensemble, along with mezzo soprano Cynthia Mork will perform romantic favorites by Harry Warren, the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. Familiar favorites will include "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "42nd Street," "I Only Have Eyes For You," "Jeepers Creepers," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," "That’s Amore," "You’ll Never Know" and "You Must’ve Been a Beautiful Baby".&nbsp; The second part of the program will feature virtuosic romantic violin masterpieces performed by Haig Hovsepian, praised as “one of the most gifted musicians of his generation” He is recognized for his expressive versatility and cross-cultural artistry as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader. Selections will include "Love Song, Op. 7, No. 1" by Josef Suk, "Liebesleid (Love's Sorrow)" by Fritz Kreisler and&nbsp;"Andante molto" from the "Three Romances" by Clara Schumann. Join us after the concert for a reception featuring a selection of chocolate treats.

A Ravel Tea

Parish Bedford UU Music Committee's 2025-2026 season kicks off with a concert and tea celebrating Maurice Ravel in the 150th anniversary year of his birth. Featured performers are pianist Eric Mazonson, violinist Rebecca Hawkins, and cellist Young Sook Lee, Maurice Ravel was a French composer best known for his innovative piano pieces and orchestral works like 'Bolero' and 'Daphnis et Chloé'. Ravel's work is most renowned for its complex yet sophisticated and precise orchestration. Eric Mazonson has performed his extensive repertoire in many recitals and appeared with several orchestras in the US, Canada, and Europe, besides serving as a music director, educator, accompanist, and producer for a wide variety of student and professional choral and orchestral ensembles. He has performed frequently at First Parish, most recently in September of 2024. Rebecca Hawkins has been a member of Lexington Symphony since 2002. She is also a first violinist with the Vista Philharmonic Orchestra at Groton Hill, performs frequently at local churches, and has a private teaching studio. While an undergraduate at Yale, she was a professional player in the New Haven Symphony, working summers at the Aspen Music Festival to finance her degree. She went on to premiere many contemporary works with the New England Philharmonic as associate concertmaster. While briefly living in England with her husband and three boys, Rebecca performed as a principal player in several orchestras. Young Sook Lee has earned acclaim as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral cellist across North America and Asia. She has performed at renowned venues like Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, UN Center, TD Garden, Boston Symphony Hall, and Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium. Currently, Ms. Lee is the principal cellist of the Vista Philharmonic Orchestra and regularly performs with Symphony New Hampshire, the Lexington Symphony, and Duo Nouveau. The program will also include performances by soprano Cynthia Mork, flautist Carol Epple, violinist Nao Okamoto, dancer Dorothy Perales, and pianist Brad Conner. Following the concert (approximately one hour), tea and cookies will be served.

An Evening of Jazz 

Jazz is alive and swinging in 2025! Join us in the Common Room for an evening of toe-tapping tunes, soulful ballads, and vibrant rhythms from the world of jazz. Whether you're a longtime fan or just jazz-curious, this musical evening is not to be missed. Enjoy a rich mix of classic standards, bossa nova, bebop, and original pieces—featuring both vocal and instrumental performances. Our talented First Parish Family band includes: Emory &amp; Ian Carroll – drums and sax Buffie and Dean Groves – vocals and bass Dave Southard – sax Steve Sussman – piano We’ll have a light bar and plenty of snacks. Feel free to eat, drink, and enjoy the music. Admission by suggested donation at the door: $20 for Adults $15 for Seniors and Students All proceeds go to support First Parish in Bedford. Come celebrate community, music, and the spirit of jazz!

The First Parish Bedford UU Music Committee will host their fourth annual Irish Celebration on Saturday evening, March 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. This is a family event with our very own Ian Carroll performing with guest Celtic music experts Joy Grimes, Emily Peterson and Rosanne Santucci. Natan Wythe will play guitar and mandolin as well as leading the First Parish youth choirs in some familiar Irish tunes. Director of Faith Development for Children, Nathan Sellers will be this evening's storyteller. There will also be delicious Irish Stew (both meat and vegetarian)! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

First Parish Bedford UU 

Album Release Celebration "Who Will I Be?" by Nathan Arielle

The event will include a track-by-track listen through the album, a Q&amp;A session, a live performance of a few songs, and a reception in the common room. QR codes will be posted during the reception with links to listen for free or purchase online. This project has been a labor of love, and I am deeply grateful for the support of this community. Thank you for providing a space where creativity, growth, and meaning through music can be nurtured. Your kindness and support has meant more to me than words can express.

15th Annual Valentine's Day Concert

"The Songs of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers" 15th Annual Valentine's Day Concert Cynthia Mork, Ben Sears (vocals) and Bradford Conner (piano) With Special Guest Pianist Leslie Amper Scrumptious chocolate reception to follow! Suggested Donations Collected at the door: $20 adults $15 seniors and students Proceeds to benefit First Parish&nbsp; Ben Sears and Bradford Conner, founders and producing directors of the American Classics ensemble, along with mezzo soprano Cynthia Mork will perform romantic favorites from the films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, including "Night and Day," "Cheek to Cheek," and "They Can't Take That Away From Me".&nbsp; The second part of the program will feature piano solo masterpieces by Debussy and Ravel, performed by acclaimed pianist, Leslie Amper. A winner of the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Fellowship Grant, Ms. Amper has performed in concert series with Monadnock Music, Emmanuel Music, Pittsburgh Symphony Concerts at the Point, Friday Musicale of Jacksonville, Florida, New Hampshire Music Festival and Harvard University’s Fromm Music Foundation Concerts, as well as in England, Italy, and Austria. Join us after the concert for a reception featuring a selection of chocolate treats.

First Parish Bedford MA UU

Beethoven Birthday Bash -- Paul-André Bempéchat , piano

Celebrate Beethoven's 254th birthday with a piano concert followed by a birthday party reception.&nbsp; Pianist Paul-André Bempechat&nbsp;has toured in virtually every country in Europe, including major appearances at the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Barbican Centre London, the Philharmonics in Meiningen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Rotterdam and Belgrade. Colleagues and critics alike have hailed him as a singularly lucid, introspective interpreter capable of drawing audiences into a near-palpable relationship with the select composers he performs.&nbsp; PROGRAM Piano Sonata No. 2, "Moonlight", Opus 27 Piano Sonata in G Major, Opus 79 Piano Sonata in Bɦ Major, Opus 22&nbsp; Piano Sonata No. 23, "Appassionata", Opus 57&nbsp; Suggested Donations Collected at the door: $20 adults $15 seniors and students

The First Parish in Bedford  

"Our Precious Vote" 

Folk troubadours Howie Rashba and Mel Green return to First Parish Bedford UU on the weekend before election day with a program titled "Our Precious Vote". Following up their spring concert of well known traditional favorites, Howie and Mel will inspire us to participate in our democracy by tracing the history of voting in the USA through stories and songs from 1776 to the present. The program, which promises to be non-partisan, but decidedly pro-democracy, includes "Blowing In the Wind", "Where is the Soul of Man", "Give The Ballot To The Mothers", "Turn Me Round", "Here Comes The Sun", "Slip Sliding Away", "Vote’m Out", "Please Vote", "I Won’t Back Down", "If I Had a Hammer", and "This Land Is Your Land".

Fauré Celebration

The First Parish Music Committee opens its 2024-2025 concert season on Sunday, September 29 at 3:00 pm with an observation of the centenary of the death of Gabriel Fauré, one of the most influential composers of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Featured performers include Armenian-American violinist <a href="https://www.haighovsepian.com/" target="_blank">Haig Hovsepian,</a> Chilean-American pianist <a href="https://matiasnestorcuevas.com/" target="_blank">Matias Cuevas,</a> and pianist <a href="https://www.themastersingers.org/accompanist" target="_blank">Eric Mazonson</a>. At just 25, Hovsepian has built a multifaceted career that spans the US, Canada, Norway, Iceland, and Armenia. He has graced prestigious stages including Carnegie Hall, Koussevitzky Music Shed, Jordan Hall, Slosberg Hall, Killian Hall and many other distinguished venues across the US and internationally. Chilean-American pianist Matias Nestor Cuevas is pursuing his Master of Music degree at the Frost School of Music under Kevin Kenner. He has won numerous prizes in national and international competitions, including 1st prizes in the “Nuova Coppa Pianisti” and “PianoTalents” competitions in Italy. Cuevas has performed at prestigious venues such as Teatro alla Scala, the Vatican Museums, and with the Italian Symphonic Orchestra across Italy and Romania. Pianist Eric Mazonson, has performed his extensive repertoire in many recitals and appeared with several orchestras in the US, Canada, and Europe, besides serving as a music director, educator, accompanist, and producer for a wide variety of student and professional choral and orchestral ensembles. He has performed frequently at First Parish, most recently in February of 2024. &nbsp; Also performing will be the First Parish Adult Choir, with Carol Epple (flute), Elizabeth Connors (clarinet), Bradford Conner (piano), Sandra LaBarge Neuman (organ), Carol Krusemark (soprano), Cynthia Mork (soprano), Carlough Faulkner (violin), and Dorothy Anderson Perales (dancer). Net proceeds from this event will benefit First Parish in Bedford. Suggested Donations (gratefully accepted at the door) will be $20 for Adults, and $15 for Seniors/Students.

The First Parish Music Committee is reviving a popular fundraising event that got derailed by COVID. "An Evening of Jazz" will feature an inter-generational crew of members and friends of First Parish bringing a jazz perspective to tunes from a variety of eras and styles.   Performers include Emory Carroll (drums), Buffie Groves (voice), Dean Groves (electric bass), Dave Southard (saxophone), and Steve Sussman (piano).   The event will take place Saturday, April 27th, in the Common Room from 7pm to 9pm. There will be two sets with one intermission. Table seating and light bar snacks will be available.   Net proceeds from this event will benefit First Parish in Bedford. Suggested Donations (gratefully accepted at the door) will be $20 for Adults, and $15 for Seniors/Students.

Folk Music Concert with Howie Rashba and Mel Green

Bedford musician Howie Rashba will perform a concert of folk favorites. He'll be joined by Mel Green, a veteran of the folk scene in his native South Africa, as well as London, the Poconos, Greenwich Village, and Cambridge, where he worked with luminaries such as Sandy Bull and Rosalie Sorrels. The program will include familiar favorites such as "Lemon Tree," "Blowing in the Wind," and "Wimoweh". Singing along is strongly encouraged!

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Experiences

Organ Gala Concert

An Evening of Jazz

"Why Do They Shut Me Out of Heaven?" Valerie Anastasio, soprano and Steve Sussman, piano

Irish Celebration -- A Family Event

This Heart of Mine - This Heart of Mine -- The Songs of Harry Warren and virtuosic romantic violin masterpieces

A Ravel Tea

An Evening of Jazz

Irish Celebration -- A Family Event

Album Release Celebration "Who Will I Be?" by Nathan Arielle

15th Annual Valentine's Day Concert

Beethoven Birthday Bash -- Paul-André Bempéchat , piano

"Our Precious Vote"

Fauré Celebration

An Evening of Jazz

Folk Music Concert with Howie Rashba and Mel Green