Music at UUMC
Listen to the Music
🎶 UUMC Choir & Traditional Music Playlist
Experience the beauty and spirit of our choral and instrumental music. From anthems and hymns to special seasonal performances, the UUMC Choir brings traditional worship to life with depth, harmony, and grace.
🎷 REACH Jazz Band Playlist
Enjoy the energy and soul of our REACH Jazz Band—an ensemble that blends faith, rhythm, and artistry in every performance. These recordings capture the joy and improvisational spirit that make REACH a vital part of UUMC’s worship and community life.
MAKE SOME MUSIC
Musical Opportunities
Chancel Choir
Celebration Ringers
Children's Choir
meet the team
Music Staff
Connie Gamage
Music Director, Organist, Hand Bell Choir Director
Connie has been a member of UUMC since 1984. She joined the UUMC staff in 1994 as organist and later, director of music. She has directed the hand bell choir for a total of 16 years, non-consecutively. Connie has a degree in Music Therapy from MSU and worked for 37 years as a psychiatric music therapist at St. Lawrence/Sparrow Hospital. She retired from that job 7 years ago and began working in the College of Music as keyboard collaborator for MSU choirs and the graduate practicum. Connie has co-written five Christmas musicals with Rev. Frank Lyman, specifically for the children and youth of UUMC. Connie and her domestic partner, Nate Jost, are long-time members of the UUMC softball team. Connie has three adult children, Heather, Matt and Nathan, and four grandchildren, Addison, Rowan, James and Jovie.
Sam Corey
REACH Band Director
Sam is a saxophonist, bassist, composer and producer, originally from West Michigan, Sam attended Michigan State University from 2017-2023 earning his undergraduate and masters degrees in Jazz Studies. Since 2017, Sam has spent his career as a freelance musician and band leader in Michigan performing with his group "The Sam Corey Quartet” as well as artists and groups such as indi hip hop artist Stoop Lee and the Culdesac, jazz fusion group Minor Element, Jazz Artist Rodney Whitaker, jazz fusion group Brandon Rose and Soul Therapy, jazz fusion group Caleb Robinson and Reaching, fusion artist Redwood, gospel jazz group Josh Watkins and Ascension, vocalist Bradley Sinclair and the Corey Sound.
Ben Saunders
Chancel Choir Director
Ben Saunders is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University in Choral Conducting. As a Graduate Assistant, he serves as assistant conductor of the MSU Singing Spartans, Choral Union, and assists in teaching undergraduate conducting. Ben taught choir and music at Lockport Township High School where he directed mixed, treble, and bass choirs of beginning - advanced levels, as well as contemporary a cappella. He graduated with distinction from Northern Arizona University with a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting and was awarded the NAU Outstanding Graduate in Master of Music. He served as the Artistic Director of the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, a 100-voice auditioned mixed choir performing major works for chorus and orchestra. He also conducted the Arizona Mountain Chorale and the NAU Men’s Chorale.