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UNITAS Sacred Sounds Choir
With Choir Director Francine Lancaster
Monday Evening Rehearsals 7:30 - 9:15 PM
Part of the Unitas choir performs at the Cosmic Cabaret, led by Choir director Francine Lancaster
UNITAS Sacred Sounds Choir is a gathering of singers and musicians who rehearse and perform at events, occasional Sunday services, meditations, retreats, weddings, etc. Unitas is growing fast and expects to expand sacred service through singing into hospitals and nursing homes in the greater Bay Area community. The music we sing varies from Gospel and Hildegard Von Bingen to the medicine melodies of Brazil.
Choir Director Francine Lancaster invites all to join Unitas. If you have always wanted to sing with others, please come to choir practice and let Francine guide you into fulfilling that dream. No audition required. Experienced singers also welcome.
FRANCINE LANCASTER
Francine Lancaster lends her soaring soprano to the musical mix at Unity Sunday Services and various other church events and serves as Director for the church’s choir, Unitas: Sacred Sounds. In addition to her musical contributions, Francine is responsible for the stunningly beautiful altar that graces our sanctuary, which she re-designs on a monthly basis.
Originally from Tampa, Florida, Francine came to California to make her debut with the San Francisco Opera. She went on to win the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and to debut at Lincoln Center in New York City. As president of her own production and publishing company for several years, she won seven international awards for her songbooks and recordings for children, “The Keepsake Collection”. Her credits also include producing and starring in a one-woman show, “A Night in Vienna,” appearing in “Broadway Goes to the Met,” and working closely with the Screens Actors Guild on their annual viewing parties.
For 20 years, Francine was the soloist for First Church of Religious Science in Oakland, where she also co-directed many events, concerts, and fund-raisers. As a passionate member of Unity of Berkeley, she has done the same. She is a certified Sound Therapist and is currently developing a Sound Voice Music Healing Center at Unity of Berkeley.
CHARLES MOSELLE
Charles Moselle sets the musical tone for services every Sunday. Playing an extraordinary range of instruments — including piano, shakuhachi flute, saxophone, and percussion — he creates a beautiful aural atmosphere for our meditation periods and charges us up for lively sing-alongs. Whoever the Sunday soloists may be, Charles finds a way to enhance and embellish the beauty of their offerings.
Charles has played with such luminaries as Bobby McFeron and Robin Williams and performed for the likes of Presidents Bill Clinton and Barak Obama.
Beyond his regular work at Unity and a busy schedule of gigs, he offers his uplifting musical gifts for the good of the community. As a Youth Counselor with Giant Steps Foundation, he takes a portable recording studio into juvenile detention facilities to make CDs with incarcerated youth.
TAD TOOMAY
Tad Toomay, a consummate singer-songwriter with decades of performance experience, is lead composer and front man for the Unity House Band. His incredible repertoire of original songs combine beautiful melodies, expert finger-picking, and insightful lyrics.
Are they contemporary folk, inspirational rock, or some new kind of music you just can’t get out of your head? Hear the Unity House Band at our 10:30 AM celebration on the first Sunday of every month and decide for yourself.
Tad also hosts the Cosmic Cabaret — our quarterly community talent night — and has served as Master of Ceremonies at various Unity fundraisers and special events. Tad’s latest CD, ”Touch the Sky from Where You Stand,” is available for purchase at the church or from www.cdbaby.com.
Unity of Berkeley is located in the heart of one of the most musically diverse areas of the world. Our Creative Arts and Music Program at Unity of Berkeley consists of many talented musicians and artists who are committed to enlightening and enthralling audiences in Berkeley and beyond.
Our current music program directors, Francine Lancaster, Charles Moselle, and Tad Toomay are award-winning performing artists, songwriters, and musicians with strong practices in Unity and New Thought.
At Unity of Berkeley, music is a powerful ministry. Wise, moving, and energizing songs are essential to our Sunday Celebrations. The Co-directors of Music at Unity of Berkeley are all extraordinary musicians, in-demand recording artists, and seasoned performers who will uplift and delight you, week-in and week-out.
Our ongoing concert series features some of the best songwriters and performers working today in the field of positive music. We actively support the positive music movement, which is dedicated to making insightful, non-denominational, contemporary music a force for good in our lives and culture.
