Our music ministry fosters spiritually fulfilling musical experiences for all with multiple ensembles that regularly contribute to worship. For more information about the music ministries at UUAA, including how to get involved, please contact Dusty Francis, Director of Music Ministries: dusty@uuaa.org
The Chalice Singers
Adult choir for singers high school age and above
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:30–9:15 p.m., late August–late May
Singing in Sunday worship roughly twice per month
The Chalice Singers are open to all, regardless of prior musical experience, ability, and knowledge. We sing a diverse repertoire spanning a broad range of styles, languages, and traditions in a relaxed but rigorous environment. Join an inviting community of singers while growing your vocal and musical knowledge through a fun and focused rehearsal process.
Participating in Sunday worship roughly six times per year
The Chalice Sparks are a youth choir program for children in grades three through five. Fostering community and leadership through choral singing, the Chalice Sparks provide choristers with a solid foundation in healthy vocal technique and comprehensive musicianship training as well as friendships to last a lifetime.
The Chalice Bells
Handbell ensemble for musicians high school age and above
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 5:30–7:00 p.m., late August–late May
Ringing in Sunday worship monthly
Experience the joy of handbell ringing by joining the Chalice Bells. No prior handbell experience is necessary, though the ability to read music is essential. Build your rhythm skills and a repertoire of handbell techniques as you work collaboratively to realize a diverse repertoire of music for worship.
Other Opportunities
Looking to share your musical gifts but haven’t seen quite the right opportunity to get involved? Let us know! We are always happy to hear from singers, instrumentalists, chamber ensembles, composers, arrangers, poets, volunteers, and more. Simply write to Dusty Francis, Director of Music Ministries at dusty@uuaa.org to express your interest in getting involved.
Music Staff
Dusty Francis
Director of…
Allison Halerz
Pianist-in-Residence
Director of Music Ministries
Dusty Francis
Conductor and bass-baritone Dusty Francis enjoys an active career as a performer, clinician, and educator across both the United States and the United Kingdom. Past roles have included musical leadership of the New York City Master Chorale, London’s The Fourth Choir, and the Brooklyn-based Park Slope Singers, as well as classroom teaching positions with the American School in London and Collegiate School in New York City. Recent seasons have included performances at esteemed venues such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center.
When not on the conducting podium, Francis can often be heard singing with some of the country’s finest professional choral ensembles, including the GRAMMY-nominated True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Skylark Vocal Ensemble, and the Manhattan Chorale. Recent solo engagements have spanned styles and periods ranging from Bach to Puccini and Schubert to Sondheim.
Francis holds the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Xavier University in Cincinnati. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministers (AUUMM).
Pianist-in-Residence
Allison Halerz
Allison Halerz is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music with a degree in Performing Arts Technology. As a previous member of the UMS Choral Union, she participated in the Grammy Award-winning recording of William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience in April 2004 under the direction of Leonard Slatkin.
Allison has been attending UUAA since 2003 and became a member in 2007. She was drawn to the congregation partly because of its already excellent music program, and quickly became an active participant both as a member of the Chalice Singers and as a substitute pianist. She became UUAA’s Pianist-in-Residence in 2007 and is excited to be a part of the continued musical experiences and growth of this congregation. She is a member of the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM). In addition to her work at UUAA, she is also a Development Associate at SafeHouse Center.