Music Staff

Music Director, Amber Fetnerhas been the Music Director at UUFA since 2001.  She leads the Chalice Choir, JUUbilation Singers, Palms of Fire drum circle, and coordinates the Rainbow Singers program.  Amber is also an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network.  She most recently completed her Master’s work in Ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago.  She also earned a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Music Education from Shorter College in Rome, GA.

Pianist/Accompanist, Thomas Duncan joined us in 2008.  He has been studying piano since age seven and attended John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in his hometown of Augusta, Ga for middle and high school. Currently, he is working on a B.Mus. in Music Education and a B.S. in Mathematics at the University of Georgia and will be graduating in the fall of 2011.  In addition to piano, he has interests in all forms of music. He has also studied trombone, organ, handbells, and recorder, and he particularly enjoys to sing. 

Volunteer Musicians

Our music activities and programming rely on the work of dedicated volunteer musicians.  We welcome new voices and gifts to join us in creating a musical community.  If you have a gift you want to share, please contact our music director, Amber Fetner

Music Activities

Chalice Choir

Meets Wednesdays 7:45-8:45p.m.
The UUFA Chalice Choir is an inclusive group, welcoming all those who share our commitment to developing our voices, musical skills, and connections with each other and the larger community.  We sing for Sunday services two times a month, and on these Sundays we warm up at 10:15.  We lead two musical services a year, one in December and one in the spring.  These services may require additional rehearsals.  We take part in musical outreach, interfaith events, and denominational activities.  We also enjoy being together for fun and fellowship!  Contact Amber Fetner for more information (706) 546-7914.

JUUbilation Singers

Meets Wednesdays 7:15-7:45p.m.
This is a new group, a sub-section of the Chalice Choir that will sing on fourth Sundays.  Most people in this group will be members of the Chalice Choir who want to make an additional commitment.
However, someone can be a member of this group and not be a member of the Chalice Choir.Contact Amber Fetner for more information (706) 546-7914.

Palms of Fire

Meets Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.
No experience (or drum) necessary!
This is an intergenerational group in which you will learn drumming basics and have fun exploring the sounds of the circle. We drum for the 11:00 service once a month. We also occasionally drum in the Athens community. Contact Amber Fetner for more information (706) 546-7914.

Rainbow Singers

Second Sundays 11:15-12:00
First and Third Sundays 11:00-11:15
Rather than offer a Children’s Choir, we have starting teaching songs to our children during the regular Religious Exploration time.  Every second Sunday, two of our Rainbow singers lead singing in the Religious Exploration classrooms.  These songs are selected to coordinate with the curriculum, and we sing them together during the Family Services on first and third Sundays.  Contact Amber Fetner for more information (706) 546-7914.  To find out more about our exciting Religious Exploration program, click here!

Other Opportunities

We support many other musical activities in our congregation and the greater community, including concerts, sing-alongs and hootenannies, theatrical performances, and dances.  It is our vision that music in all of its forms may be available for worship, fellowship, and enjoyment, wherever and whenever members of the Fellowship gather together.

Music Committee

The Music Committee meets monthly to assess the developing needs of the music community (music library, budget, mission, objectives) and to plan music activities and events (services, fundraisers, music outreach, retreats, interfaith festivals). Herb West is the committee chair.

Mission Statement of the UUFA Music Committee

The mission of the Music Community of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens is to promote and develop the expression and enjoyment of all forms of music for all ages in worship, fellowship, and other settings; to support UUFA music staff and volunteer musicians; to encourage emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth; and to promote Unitarian Universalism by sharing our music with our local and greater communities.