Emerson Bicentennial Opening Celebration

Program of Events (PDF)

On the evening of Friday, March 7th, more than 200 people filled the sanctuary of First and Second Church in Boston for the opening celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer, lecturer, reformer, and one-time minister of the Second Church in Boston. Sponsored by First and Second Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA's) Emerson Bicentennial Committee, the program included the opening of an Emerson exhibit by Bonnie Hurd Smith (with assistance from Robert Richardson, Jr. and J. Frank Schulman); welcoming remarks from Stephen Kendrick, minister of First and Second Church; addresses by Emerson scholars Wesley Mott and David Robinson; the debut of a newly-commissioned anthem in Emerson's honor by noted composer William Bolcom as performed by the Emerson Choir under the direction of Beth Norton; and group songs from "An Emerson Garland: Poems and Hymns of Ralph Waldo Emerson," edited by Leo Collins.

The Emerson Bicentennial Committee is grateful to all who contributed to the success of this joyous celebration of the living legacy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and we invite you all to participate in the upcoming Emerson celebrations you will find listed in other sections of this website.

—John Hurley, on behalf of the Emerson Bicentennial Committee

Presentations

• Introductory Remarks by Rev. Stephen Kendrick
• Emerson, Second Church, and "The Real Priesthood" by Wesley T. Mott
• Emerson: Religion After Transcendentalism by David M. Robinson

Music

• "May-Day" by William Bolcom (MP3); performed by the Emerson Choir under the direction of Beth Norton; Terry Decima, piano
• Ralph Waldo Emerson's Concord Hymn (MP3)
• Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Ode" (MP3)