
“Music is what feelings sound like” ~Author Unknown

Kathy Sullivan, Music Director
Music is a very important part of Unity Center of the Heights. The best way to express this is by sharing an updated article written for our newsletter by our Music Director, Kathy Sullivan.
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When I was in my mid-30’s and started to experiment with playing guitar and singing, it was something I was compelled to do. It was what I needed to do in order to express my feelings. I sang my feelings even though, in my ears, the sounds that came out were not pretty. I sang my feelings even though my knees were shaking to a different rhythm than the music I was playing. I sang my feelings even though my ego persistently told me I was making a fool of myself, that I couldn’t sing, that no one would ever want to hear me. I lived in Nashville at that time and thought about just writing the songs and trying to get someone else to sing them (a thriving business in Nashville). However, a wise woman told me “Kathy, if someone else sings them the message won’t be the same.” She was right. But the message was not in the words of the songs I was singing. The message was in the fact that I was singing them. The message was one of conquering my fears. The message was one of self-acceptance. The message was one of learning and sharing who I truly am, the Perfect Child of God.
That is what I see as the purpose of music: to share with yourself and the world who you truly are, the Perfect Child of God. To share with yourself and the world that you are the light that is love, and by extension, so is everyone who listens to you. Whether you prefer to listen or to perform, my mission is to use music to help you rediscover who you are.
There are many ways to carry out this mission. At Unity Center of the Heights we have a choir for those who feel led to group singing, or those who just want a kind, gentle way to try their vocal wings, to have a vehicle to do that. We receive many gifts of appreciation for our performances, however the most
meaningful review was from a woman who told me that our music opened her heart and she felt totally uplifted. That’s what it is all about. We meet on Wednesdays beginning from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Please see me if you are interested. We encourage everyone to join, regardless of your prior musical experience or lack of it. There are no auditions required and you don’t have to be a music reader to join. There are other ways to teach and learn. And most importantly, we have fun doing it!
For those who feel drawn to solo singing, there couldn’t be a more
accepting and loving audience than here at Unity Center of the Heights. Pictured here are Irwin Weinberger, Sherrie Kozak and Bettse Birinyi. We have many Sunday’s available for you to sing in the Special Music slots, so let me know and we'll get you on the schedule. We are happy to assist you with song selection and supportive coaching (both musically and emotionally)!
Once a month, Rev. Tony takes a look at the spiritual and metaphysical meaning in some of our
favorite songs from the 60’s, 70’s, and more recently. This has become known as Rock-n-Roll Sunday. If you have any suggestion or would like to participate, please let Rev. Tony know. Or just come join in the fun and the excitement, hearing an uplifting message along with some awesome music! Complete with the UCH Band and a variety of performers, Rock & Roll Sunday is a “groovy” way to spend a Sunday morning. Rock On!
For those of you who prefer to listen, please know that we are seeking professional soloists and performers from within our congregation and from the community, who would like to come in and share their music. So, if you know of any, please let me know.
Our goal is to provide this spiritual community with another avenue of self-discovery through listening to the best musicians the world has to offer. My heart is truly singing at the opportunity to build a music program and music ministry here at UCH. I am looking forward to helping your heart sing as well.
Kathy Sullivan
Music Director
(Kathy is a singer/songwriter who currently performs with her sisters “The Oh! Sullivans” (www.osullivansisters.com). She has been playing guitar, writing songs and performing for 19 years and was employed in the music industry for 15 years. Kathy is currently the Board President for the woman's choral group Windsong (www.windsongchorus.org) Kathy can be reached at 216-544-1249 or at klsull@sbcglobal.net)