Polyphonic Spree
Tim DeLaughter formed The Polyphonic Spree in 2000 in the wake the demise of his former band, Tripping Daisy, after guitarist (and close friend) Wes Berggren died of a drug overdose. It was a combination of trying to find a light in the darkness that followed, and childhood memories of psychedelic vocal groups like The Fifth Dimension, that formed the genesis of the Spree. From the time their debut album The Beginning Stages Of… was released, it was a whirlwind trip to international acclaim, tours of the world, and a unique place in the popular consciousness for their music, their ecstatic performances, and their always-unique style (be it matching robes or the matching military fatigues they later adopted for The Fragile Army). For more than a decade now, The Polyphonic Spree have been cutting a singular swath through the pop culture landscape, spreading a positive energy that makes people scratch their heads and ask questions while presenting music in a way that’s colorful to the ears and eyes.
Sarah Pirtle
Songs written by Reverend Sarah Pirtle include “My Roots Go Down,” “Walls and Bridges,” “The Mahogany Tree,” and “Two Hands Hold the Earth” which have been part of UU singing for decades. She has eleven recordings including Everyday Bravery and Heart of the World, and eleven national awards.
Her lyrics bless the daily making of courage. She brings out unsung stories and helps visualize moments that strengthen the conscience of the world. She began performing her songs when she was in her twenties as a founding member of a feminist poetry troupe in Cleveland, Ohio. Sarah is a CLF member. She grew up in the Summit UU Church in New Jersey, has been a workshop leader at Rowe Conference Center, and has had an unflagging life-long commitment to building social justice. Of the six peace education books she has written, her first book — An Outbreak of Peace — received the Olive Branch Award for outstanding book of the year on world peace.
Sarah received the Magic Penny Award for life-time achievement in children’s music. Pete Seeger says, “If you want to hear some of the best songs out there today for children, listen to Sarah Pirtle.” As a guest minister at UU churches since the 1980’s, she has performed her many songs for adults including “Follow the Voice.”
Currently her sermons, church concerts and ceremonies center around the theme of “Holding the Light.” As a human rights activist she helps inspire support for people healing from the continuum of violence. Her newest collection is Better Together: Caring and Including instead of Bullying.
Contact: Discovery Center for Peacebuilding, email pirtle22@hotmail.com.
Nick Page
Nick Page is both a natural and a schooled musician, with a boundless enthusiasm and ability for awakening song. He is a collector of folk tunes from around the world, and a gifted teacher. Sing with Nick!” Alice Parker is a Boston based composer, song leader, conductor, and author. He has led songs at many UU General Assemblies and UU congregations as well as at synagogues and other places of worship. In the 1980’s he was a director of the Emmy Award winning Chicago Children’s Choir. Since 1990, he has been the artistic director of Boston’s Mystic Chorale, a chorus that often invites their audiences to sing along. Why? Because Nick believes that we are all amazing, capable of great beauty and compassion. Nick has over eighty published choral works and is the author of three books including his SING WITH US SONGBOOK. In 2008 Nick directed his NURSERY RHYME CANTATA at Carnegie Hall and his COMIC BOOK OPERA premiered at Lincoln Center in 2011.
“Nick Page embraces the whole world in his soul and in his music. He is a skillful, passionate, and respectful interpreter of world music who backs up his work with knowledge and context. As composer, teacher, and songleader, Nick inspires people through song like few others, empowering them in the process.” Emily Ellsworth, Glen Ellen Children’s Choir
“Nick Page’s soul is filled with a very special and unique goodness (and I don’t use that word lightly) that reaches deep into the minds and souls of those with whom he works. Each and every life he touches is better for having worked with him, been lead by him and/or simply known him.” Dr. Donald Neuen, UCLA, Crystal Cathedral.
“Nick Page is both a natural and a schooled musician, with a boundless enthusiasm and ability for awakening song. He is a collector of folk tunes from around the world, and a gifted teacher. Sing with Nick!” Alice Parker
Mineko Ogata
Mineko Ogata, a Japanese acclaimed Jazz pianist, has released three albums, the first of which sold out in Japan. “CD Journal” in Japan has said, “Once you listen to her music, you will be impressed by her brilliant and straight sound.”
Mineko’s mother was a singer and her father was a Jazz pianist. Mineko’s father was able to give her a solid classical music education at their own music school. Mineko joined a Japanese fusion band as a keyboard player and has performed at many live house concerts in both Japan and the US. She has played under the direction of the famous Japanese choir conductor Kenji Otani, and, while residing in the US (August 2007 – December 2010), Mineko performed at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reading, MA and Ryles Jazz Club.
Holly Near
Holly Near is a unique combination of entertainer, teacher, and activist. An immense vocal talent, Near’s career as a singer has been defined by an unwillingness to separate her passion for music from her passion for human dignity. She is a skilled performer and an outspoken ambassador for peace who brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality.
Linda Myers
Linda has been writing music since age 12, and much of it with a Unitarian theme, even though she didn’t discover UU’ism until 1999. Both of her albums, Paradox Clock, and Something Is Different contain a tapestry of styles and themes. All the songs have threads that weave together creating a wonderfully rich fabric of music including jazz, electronica, and alternative/singer-songwriter genres. Several of the songs on each album have a social justice theme, and one of these, Destiny II, from the Something Is Different album, won the 2011 NM Music Awards for Best Song Overall, going against songs written and produced by former Grammy award winners. Another social justice themed song, “We Want Peace” from Paradox Clock, has been sung by the choir at First UU, several times. Linda invites you to listen and share her music for free as long as it’s used in non-commercial ways. Linda’s music can also be found at iTunes, Amazon, and Jango.
http://www.lindamyersmusic.com
Paul McAuliffe
Paul’s solo ethnic flute music offers us meditative and peaceful moments – especially poignant for those who want to create calm, quiet space for reflection. A flute player, flute maker and social services worker, Paul McAuliffe is a member of the UU Fellowship of Bay County, FL. He researches the history and performance techniques of ethnic flutes, as well as drums and other wind instruments.
Paul has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning autism) and gives his program “Flutes, Autism & a Different Way of Seeing” throughout the Southeast. He was featured recently on CNN’s “Health Minute.” He loves to serenade the Florida Panthers at Bear Creek Feline Center, a sanctuary for big cats unable to live in the wild. He’s a member of the Bay Storytellers and gives another presentation entitled “Flutes & Storytelling: Two Ancient Arts.”
Peter Mayer
Peter began playing the guitar and writing songs when he was in high school. He studied Theology and music in college, and then spent two years in seminary. After deciding that the priesthood wasn’t for him, he took a part-time job as a church music director for 8 years, while performing at clubs and colleges, and writing and recording his music. In 1995, he quit his job and started touring full-time. He has nine CDs to his credit, and has sold over 70 thousand of them independently.
Sarah Dan Jones
Born and raised in south Georgia, Sarah Dan spent her formative years participating in her small Presbyterian Church, where she was encouraged to seek the Holy through music. She became aware of Unitarian Universalism in the late 90’s when she accepted a job as the pianist for the Georgia Mountains UUC in Dahlonega, and soon learned to love and support the Faith movement. Sarah Dan became active in the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network (UUMN), and has served in many capacities in the organization—from Secretary, Director of Communications, Liaision to the UUA’s Music Leadership Credentialing Committee, and currently as President. Sarah Dan also was the General Assembly Music Coordinator for two years, and has been the musician for the GA service of the Church of the Larger Fellowship.
Living now in Concord, New Hampshire with her wife, Abby Charbeneau, and doggie Dawes, Sarah Dan travels to congregations in the New England area and beyond for workshops and worship around Building Community Through Music. Her chant, Meditation on Breathing, is sung in congregations around the globe, and at social justice and peace rallies worldwide.
Her CD, Church Session, (which has the entire song When I Breathe In) is available through cdbaby.com.
Clif Hardin
Clif is a composer, conductor and pianist living in the Washington, DC area. Along with his freelance work in theater, he has served as Director of Music at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation since 1983, where many of his arrangements and compositions were first performed.
