The music today, in observance of the 50 years since MLKJr.s passing as well as the October 29th observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, was

made possible by the generous donations formerly made to the Alex Post Music Fund. Please help us replenish the fund if you are so moved.

Scenes from the Life of a Martyr Written in 1981, it is a 16-part oratorio composed by Undine Smith Moore as a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr, and "to the ordinary men and women who

struggle against the tragedies of human existence." Her most ambitious work, Moore wrote the libretto which includes passages from the Bible, quotations, and poetry excerpts. It is written for mixed choir, with solo parts for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, a spoken-word narrator, and orchestra. Smith began work on Scenes in November, 1975 and spent about four years on it. Parts of Scenes were performed in 1979 with Moore accompanying the choir by piano. Orchestration was done by Donald Rauscher, and the work was completed in 1980. The score was published by Carl Fischer, who nominated it for a Pulitzer Prize in 1981. The official premiere of the work was complicated by scheduling difficulties, so it was first performed in New Jersey in December, 1981. It was later performed in Carnegie Hall on January 15, 1981 and 'officially' premiered by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra on April 19, 1982.

Moore's oratorio is meant to "comment on the private life of King," starting as far back as his childhood. The work is divided into four different stages in King's life. The work starts out with the narrator's prologues and then segues into a contemporary-sounding movement which includes African-American rhythmic motives. In a similar way, the narrator "prepares" the listener for the next movements. The second section covers Dr. King's early manhood and includes the first songs that Moore wrote and uses text from the Song of Solomon. The third section covers his rise to fame, beginning prophetically: "The hour of anointment is at hand," and uses text from the gospel of Luke followed by the final movement which includes a lament and a climactic work, They Tell Me Martin is Dead, which eventually ends with "frenzied screams and moans." The final song is a chorale, Tell All My Father's People, based on the spiritual, "Angels Waiting at the Door."

Moore had stated that she chose to write Scenes "as a way to make tangible my feelings about Dr. King." She also felt that everyone could feel a sense of "kinship" with King. She also stated that she did not want to strive for a "consistency of style," but instead wanted the music to reflect his life at the time. Scenes received a good response from the public and Will Crutchfield of the New York Times felt the finale was "suitably stirring." Bernard Holland, also of the Times, felt that Scenes could be compared to Krzysztof Penderecki's St. Luke Passion.

Undine Smith Moore, who lived from 1904 to 1989, was a granddaughter of slaves and was the first graduate of Fisk University to receive a scholarship to Juilliard, where she graduated cum laude in 1926. She was a notable and prolific composer as well as a professor emeritus at Virginia State University where she taught from 1927 to 1972. She wrote more than 100 compositions, although only about 26 of these were published in her lifetime. Much of her work was composed for choir or voice and many of these were inspired by black spirituals and folk music. Moore once said that she was "a teacher who composes, rather than a composer who teaches." As a teacher her students included jazz great Billy Taylor and Camilla Williams. She died February 6, 1989, not three years after her appearance locally at the Oakland Symphony and Chorus' performance of Scenes.

First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

Sunday, April 8, 2018 11:00 AM

Fifty Years Later

ABOUT TODAY'S MUSIC Highly regarded Bay Area singer, NOAH GRIFFIN, narrator for the Undine Smith Moore work, has also had an illustrious career as a public policy advisor, syndicated newspaper columnist, radio talk show host (on KGO), and songwriter. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he has served as press secretary to former San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan, legislative aide to Dianne Feinstein, Statewide Deputy Campaign Director for President Clinton and Public Affairs Director for Charles Schwab. As a singer, he has been enchanting audiences since the age of seven when he performed with the San Francisco Boy’s Chorus. He later performed with Duke Ellington, and Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Philharmonic, among other luminaries. He is especially known for his Tribute to Cole Porter and Tribute to Nat King Cole.

Praised by The San Francisco Chronicle as "a wonder to hear", soprano MICHELE KENNEDY is a specialist in early classical and contemporary music. Michele has been lauded by The Washington Post as "a fine young soprano with a lovely voice" that is "so warm, powerful, and versatile - you have the sense that she could sing anything (Front Row Center, NYC)." Michele most recently performed Handel's Messiah in NYC and Detroit, MI, and made her debut at Davies Symphony Hall as a featured soloist with the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Up next, she'll sing The Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 with Dark Horse Consort and NYC's Voices of Ascension, Handel and Vivaldi's Dixit Dominus settings with Crescendo Vocal Ensemble in Lakeville, CT, and the Bach Magnificat with The San Francisco Symphony Chorus. A native of Oakland, California, Michele studies voice with Ruth Rainero and Marguerite Krull, completed her musical studies at Yale University and School of Music, and is an associate member of the voice faculty at Rutgers University. Please find more at www.michele-kennedy.com.

CRYSTAL PHILIPPI’s depth of color, lyricism, and embodiment of a work’s emotion and dramatic physicality have earned her critical acclaim for bringing life to the characters she portrays. Equally comfortable in contemporary and traditional repertoire, some of Crystal’s career highlights include performing the roles of Carmen, Charlotte (Werther), Mallika (Lakmé), and creating the title role in the workshop presentation of Mary Pleasant: At Land’s End by David Garner. Also trained as an actor, expert ethnic ballroom dancer, swimmer, and clown, Crystal’s performance expression is truly diversified, making her a sought after performer across genres. Info: www.crystalphilippi.com.

A resident and native of Oakland California, ALEX TAITE graduated in 2007 from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor’s Degree in music theory and composition. He emphasized in vocal performance with a minor emphasis in jazz piano. He spent 4 years teaching theory and conducting choirs at the Oakland School for the Arts. In 2014 He placed third in the inaugural James Toland Vocal Arts competition and in 2016 took audience favorite. He was a finalist in the East Bay Opera League scholarship competition in 2015. He is currently singing with the SF Opera chorus, teaching private piano and voice lessons, and conducting the graduate level chorus at the San Francisco Boys Chorus.

UC ALUMNI CHORUS

UC MENS CHORALE

UC WOMENS CHORALE

FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY SF CHOIR

First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

415-776-4580 / info@uusf.orgwww.uusf.org / #fuussf

Martin Luther King, Jr

A F T E R T H E S E R V I C E TO D AY"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people,

but the appalling silence of the good people.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Order of ServiceSunday, April 8, 201811:00 AM to 12:15 PM

Prelude There Is A Balm in Gilead Arr. O. Nelson Russel

Unison Chalice Lighting

We light this chalice for the light of truth,the warmth of love,

and the fire of commitment.We light this symbol of our faith

as we gather together.

*Hymn 199 Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas A. Dorsey

Opening Words Rev. Alyson Jacks

2018 All Church RetreatMay 26-28 (Occidental, CA)

Join the UUSF Community on Memorial Day weekend at our annual All Church Retreat! Partake in peer-led workshops or help plan the Sunday worship. Activities for all ages include: swimming, archery, canoeing, games, puzzles, gourd making, campfire sing-a-longs, s’mores and more! Register online at uusf.eventbrite.com or pick up a paper form at the ACR Table starting Sunday, April 8th.

Message for All Ages Rev. Alyson Jacks

*Covenant Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its prayer. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in freedom, and to help one another.

*Doxology TALLIS' CANON

The children and teachers depart for classes on the second stanza. If you want your child to attend Sunday School, meet in the gallery following the children's recessional, or ask for assistance in the church office.

Rev. Jacks (ajacks@uusf.org) can answer questions or address special needs.

Humanist and Non-Theists: "Pete Kronowitt Performance"12:30 PM, Fireside Room (TODAY)

Music is a powerful means by which together, people can achieve social change. Pete Kronowitt aims to do just that with his songs. Four albums and 30 years of performing, touring and activism, Pete Kronowitt’s songs lie at the juncture where culture and passion clash with politics. Soulful. Pointed. Poignant. Playful. We’ll be in the Fireside Room. Sandwiches will be available for purchase. Everyone is welcome.

Reiko Oda Lane, organ African-American Spiritual

Third Week of Climate Justice Month: Candle Lighting for AIR

Climate Justice Month 2018 - AIROur fourth annual Climate Justice Month continues this week with the element AIR. Visit the Get Involved! Table after service to learn more about it, and to take action to protect our clean air. If you haven't already, sign up participate in Climate Justice Month. Or if you're already participating, let us on how you're doing. Whoever got the most points this week gets their choice of a prize!

Greeting One Another

Welcome and Announcements Scott Benbow, Trustee

Music Scenes from the Life of a Martyr Undine Smith Moore

Reflection Rev. Alyson Jacks

Good Food With UU Friends2PM, MLK Room (TODAY)

Newcomers are welcome to join the April Singletarians Sunday Potluck, Sunday April 8 at 2:00 pm. Bring a dish to share for 6-8 people and a $2 donation, or $5 if you don’t bring food. A fine meal and a social afternoon will be your reward.

Our Whole Lives: Young Adults2PM, Thoreau Room (TODAY)

OWL:YA is a series of workshops where participants will clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of their sexuality. All people ages 18 to 39 are invited to join us as we explore the nuances of communication and deepen out relationships skills.

Forum: "Rev. Dr. Dorsey Ordell Blake: “Reflection on Martin Luther King Jr."12:30 PM, TSK Room (TODAY)

Rev. Dr. Dorsey Ordell Blake on Dr. King: "His idea of a beloved community is an extraordinary idea and I pray that somehow we today can live into that idea," said the Rev. Dorsey Blake at Grace Cathedral earlier this year. Rev. Dr. Dorsey Ordell Blake, minister of SF’s Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples since 1994, has has extensive field ministry experience, including The California People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, The Interfaith Alliance for Prison Reform, Genesis, and The San Francisco Interfaith Council. At Starr King until 2015, he served as dean of faculty, a member of the core faculty, and a visiting professor of spirituality and prophetic justice. He currently chairs IDA, a social network empowering women and communities of color affected by today’s economic crisis. There will be lunch provided and a musical interlude before the program.

Sunday, April 15, 2018, 11AM, Sanctuary"What Still Connects Us”

Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz, Assistant Minister, preaching

* Please rise as you are able.

Offertory Sentence

Offertory Hope for Resolution arr. Caldwell & Ivory

*Hymn 149 Lift Every Voice and Sing

Postlude The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha arr. Ringwald/Sumner

*Benediction Rev. Alyson Jacks (Please remain seated until after the Postlude)

words/music Johnson & Johnson

Reflection Rev. Alyson Jacks