We are proud of our choral music at BUF. Our goal is to enhance the quality of our worship and to strengthen our relationships with one another by creating meaningful, engaging and inspiring music; music that uplifts us and illuminates the diverse themes that we explore within our community of seekers. We encourage BUF members, friends and area singers to join the excellent choral groups described below.

This is the latest 2021-2022 schedule and gathering considerations.

Chalice Choir

The BUF Chalice Choir is the centerpiece of our music program. This 50-60 voice, mixed choir is open to all voices and meets from September through early June, rehearsing on Wednesdays from 6:45 pm to 8:00 pm. We perform for a Sunday morning service about once a month, stage a big December concert and an end-of-season Choir Finale, and also sing for a few community events throughout the year. We enjoy presenting a wide range of inspirational songs including classical and world music, spirituals and contemporary arrangements.

We encourage interested singers to come try us at any time, and we promise to help you feel welcome! No previous choral experience is necessary, but we do like to stretch ourselves! We implement various schemes that allow our choir members to help each other further develop our music reading and performing skills, including vocal workshops, sectionals, retreats, a music reading buddy system and on-line rehearsal tracks. Our members tend to feel comfortable singing, loved and loving with each other, and inspired to serve the BUF community.

For more information, including recordings, photos, our current repertoire list and a performance schedule, please visit bufchoir.blogspot.com or email music director, Kevin Allen-Schmid.

Phoenix Ensemble

The Phoenix Ensemble is a select, auditioned group of 18-20 singers who rehearse after the Chalice Choir from 8:10 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesday evenings. Auditions are held first in September, and thereafter as needed. Members must also belong to the Chalice Choir.

Phoenix performs an eclectic mix of challenging and inventive music for a once-monthly Sunday morning service, and also sings for community events. For more information, see bufchoir.blogspot.com or contact director, Kevin Allen-Schmid.

Treble Voices

Karen Fitzgerald directs the Treble Voices, a congregational favorite because of their soulful sound and sisterly connection. This non-auditioned group rehearses after the Chalice Choir on Wednesday evenings, from 8:10 pm to 8:45 pm or 9:00 pm in the Flex Room upstairs, and performs for Sunday morning services once a month. Contact Karen Fitzgerald.

Karen has enjoyed a lifetime of choir singing. She directed the choir at the Abundant Living Center (now the Center for Spiritual Living) in the 1990’s, and was co-director and accompanist of the Kulshan Chorus for ten years. She also composes and records music for solo piano.

Special Music

Volunteers are needed to perform Special Music. Please let Kevin know if you are interested in providing instrumental or vocal special music at anytime, and especially for Sunday mornings when there is no choir.