Music is a very important part of the life of First Unitarian Church. Our choir, under the direction of our Director of Music, Michael Thorn, sings nearly every Sunday. They offer a diverse musical repertoire, from Bach to Contemporary, with a little Jazz thrown in, and welcome new singers who can rehearse on Wednesday evenings.

Michael Thorn is not only Choir Director, pianist and organist, but a versatile composer of note. Since joining First Unitarian he has composed numerous choral and solo works with Unitarian themes and lyrics, and he brings his special jazz touch to many of our church services.

First Unitarian is the original home and founding institution of the internationally renowned Chicago Children’s Choir. We continue our connection with this amazing, diverse group of singers as we hear the Concert Choir at two services during the year, including Christmas Eve vespers. Though the choir moved to larger quarters a number of years ago, we are still home to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Choir, one of the training choirs of the Chicago Children’s Choir. For more information about this choir, call (312)849-8300 or visit their website at www.ccchoir.org.

We feel strongly that part of our mission is to offer the congregation, the city and the Hyde Park community an opportunity to participate in a wide variety of quality music programs. We are proud of our historic and newly restored 3-manual, 40-rank E.M. Skinner organ in our sanctuary, as well as the Schlicker neo-baroque organ in Hull Chapel. Special choir concerts, evening and Sunday concerts with top local musicians, and a great deal of music during our regular Sunday services bring the joy of music to many church events.