
xxHome xxVisitors xxFAQs xxLocation xxMeaning of Membership xxMore About UUism xxUpcoming Services xxMusic Ministry xxPast Homilies & Reflections xxWorship Leaders/Associates xxWorship Feedback & Sign-Ups xxAdult Religious Education xxChildren & Youth Religious Education xxWho We Are xxLive Oak's Vision Statement xxFaith in Action: Social Justice Work xxEnvironmental Justice xxWhy We Chose the Name Live Oak xxGovernance & Church Docs xxStewardship & Generosity xxHistorical Roots in Alameda xxPhotos xxContact Us xxNews & Newsletters xxCalendar	Music at Live Oak "I've seen people weeping because the third line in the fourth verse had an image that cradled them or evoked a beautiful memory. Music can bring a level of emotional resonance that no other form of worship can." ~ Rev. Mark Belletini Live, vibrant music is an experience that everyone shares at Live Oak UU Fellowship. We joyously sing together, accompanied by talented pianists (and occasionally by drummers or other instrumentalists). Instrumental interludes often provide for a time of reflection or prayer during services. In each of our services, the Live Oak choir sings. They perform a varied repertoire of music chosen thematically each week to enhance and communicate the message of the sermon. The message is conveyed through song in a worshipful and reverent manner that provides an interactive and meaningful presentation to the congregation. Special Musical Performance Two Sundays in May our choir joined with the choir of the First UU Society of San Francisco to perform David Conte's In Praise of Music. Listen to the joint choir performing this lovely, neo-Romantic work by San Francisco-based composer David Conte. With thanks to the San Francisco church for this recording. Photo: Joint choir singing at Live Oak. (Thanks to Niels Kjellund for the photo.) The Live Oak UU choir performs music from the traditional to the sublime. Choices from recent worship services reflect styles ranging from: Multicultural (Sengalese chants "Kaki Lambe", Zulu chorales "Siyahamba") Traditional Folksongs (African American Spirituals "Sometimes I feel Like a Motherless Child" and American Folk anthems, John Lennon's "Imagine") Contemporary and Classical choral compositions (Fred Small's "Everything Possible" and Ron Jeffer's "This We Know") Top 40 hits and musical theater pieces arranged for choirs (Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Be Kind to Your Parents" from Fanny) Hymns from Singing the Living Tradition, a UU hymnbook Rock songs ("All Star" by Smash Mouth -- see video below) <br /> Susan Schon Sonnemaker directs our choir and works with our Worship Leaders to plan music for each service. Susan began working with us in April-2010. Susan, who will soon have her Masters in Music-Choral Conducting (Cal State-LA), has more than 15 years experience in vocal and instrumental assignments in public, non-profit and community music education programs. Her varied experience includes directing traditional choral ensembles, musical theater, vocal/instrumental jazz groups, church choirs, community choirs and school choirs. And several of her choirs have won awards from festivals locally, regionally and nationally. Most recently Susan served as the Choral & Musical Theatre Director for Carson High School (Carson City, NV). In addition, for several years she served as the Resident Music Director for the Brewery Arts Center Summerstock Theater. In 2009, she was named Nevada Music Educator of the Year. Ours is an all volunteer choir -- and all are welcome. Rehearsals are held two times per month (on Tuesday evenings prior to each service). Although the current singers in the Live Oak UU choir have varied musical experiences and skills, we have a common goal: to worship through song. Whether you are a professional singer or just like to have fun with some musical fellowship, we welcome any and all who wish to participate. Each member of our choir brings a different set of talents, skills and experiences to our rehearsals and we want to invite anyone who enjoys singing to join us at our Tuesday night rehearsals. Even if you can't commit to singing with us at every worship service, we would still love to have you check out a rehearsal. Ask any choir member for more information or email our director, Susan Sonnemaker at choirdirector@uuliveoak.org. We are blessed to have members and friends who play instruments (piano, cello, trumpet, drums, e.g.) and share their talents with us in worship. Please let Susan (choirdirector@uuliveoak.org) know if you are interested in enhancing our service with your gift. Photo (right): Susan Sonnemaker and Debra Temple playing Orff instruments during a recent worship service.
	xxxxxxxx© 2011 Live Oak UU Fellowship xxxxxxxxxx info@uuliveoak.orgxxxxxxxxxxxx 510-419-0953

xxHome

xxVisitors
xxFAQs
xxLocation
xxMeaning of Membership
xxMore About UUism

xxUpcoming Services
xxMusic Ministry
xxPast Homilies & Reflections
xxWorship Leaders/Associates
xxWorship Feedback & Sign-Ups

xxAdult Religious Education
xxChildren & Youth Religious Education

xxWho We Are
xxLive Oak's Vision Statement
xxFaith in Action: Social Justice Work
xxEnvironmental Justice
xxWhy We Chose the Name Live Oak
xxGovernance & Church Docs
xxStewardship & Generosity
xxHistorical Roots in Alameda
xxPhotos
xxContact Us

Music at Live Oak

"I've seen people weeping because the third line in the fourth verse
had an image that cradled them or evoked a beautiful memory.
Music can bring a level of emotional resonance
that no other form of worship can." ~ Rev. Mark Belletini

Members of the choir singing Live, vibrant music is an experience that everyone shares at Live Oak UU Fellowship. We joyously sing together, accompanied by talented pianists (and occasionally by drummers or other instrumentalists). Instrumental interludes often provide for a time of reflection or prayer during services.

In each of our services, the Live Oak choir sings. They perform a varied repertoire of music chosen thematically each week to enhance and communicate the message of the sermon. The message is conveyed through song in a worshipful and reverent manner that provides an interactive and meaningful presentation to the congregation.

Special Musical Performance

Two Sundays in May our choir joined with the choir of the First UU Society of San Francisco to perform David Conte's In Praise of Music.

Listen to the joint choir performing this lovely, neo-Romantic work by San Francisco-based composer David Conte. With thanks to the San Francisco church for this recording.

Photo: Joint choir singing at Live Oak. (Thanks to Niels Kjellund for the photo.)

The Live Oak UU choir performs music from the traditional to the sublime. Choices from recent worship services reflect styles ranging from:

Multicultural (Sengalese chants "Kaki Lambe", Zulu chorales "Siyahamba")
Traditional Folksongs (African American Spirituals "Sometimes I feel Like a Motherless Child" and American Folk anthems, John Lennon's "Imagine")
Contemporary and Classical choral compositions (Fred Small's "Everything Possible" and Ron Jeffer's "This We Know")
Top 40 hits and musical theater pieces arranged for choirs (Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Be Kind to Your Parents" from Fanny)
Hymns from Singing the Living Tradition, a UU hymnbook
Rock songs ("All Star" by Smash Mouth -- see video below) <br />

Susan Schon Sonnemaker directs our choir and works with our Worship Leaders to plan music for each service. Susan began working with us in April-2010. Susan, who will soon have her Masters in Music-Choral Conducting (Cal State-LA), has more than 15 years experience in vocal and instrumental assignments in public, non-profit and community music education programs. Her varied experience includes directing traditional choral ensembles, musical theater, vocal/instrumental jazz groups, church choirs, community choirs and school choirs. And several of her choirs have won awards from festivals locally, regionally and nationally.

Most recently Susan served as the Choral & Musical Theatre Director for Carson High School (Carson City, NV). In addition, for several years she served as the Resident Music Director for the Brewery Arts Center Summerstock Theater. In 2009, she was named Nevada Music Educator of the Year.

Ours is an all volunteer choir -- and all are welcome. Rehearsals are held two times per month (on Tuesday evenings prior to each service).

Although the current singers in the Live Oak UU choir have varied musical experiences and skills, we have a common goal: to worship through song. Whether you are a professional singer or just like to have fun with some musical fellowship, we welcome any and all who wish to participate.

Each member of our choir brings a different set of talents, skills and experiences to our rehearsals and we want to invite anyone who enjoys singing to join us at our Tuesday night rehearsals. Even if you can't commit to singing with us at every worship service, we would still love to have you check out a rehearsal. Ask any choir member for more information or email our director, Susan Sonnemaker at choirdirector@uuliveoak.org.

We are blessed to have members and friends who play instruments (piano, cello, trumpet, drums, e.g.) and share their talents with us in worship. Please let Susan (choirdirector@uuliveoak.org) know if you are interested in enhancing our service with your gift.

Photo (right): Susan Sonnemaker and Debra Temple playing Orff instruments during a recent worship service.