Westborough’s Unitarian Church welcomes new music director

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Leonardo Ciampa with the church’s 1895 Ryder organ (Photo/submitted)
Leonardo Ciampa with the church’s 1895 Ryder organ (Photo/submitted)

Westborough – The Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society of Westborough recently announced the appointment of Leonardo Ciampa of Natick as music director.

Ciampa has long been a well-respected organist, pianist, and composer in the musical scene of Greater Boston. He is the artistic director of organ concerts at MIT and the founding director of the MetroWest Choral Artists. As a concert organist, he has performed in Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but he is particularly admired in Italy, where he has played in many festivals.

From 1986 to 2012, Ciampa worked as music director for various churches of different denominations. He most recently worked as music director for one season at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shrewsbury.

For Ciampa, one attraction to joining the Unitarian Church is the 1895 Ryder organ, which was recently restored.

He wrote on Facebook about the first time he was able to play it.

“Tonight I experienced something of an organ resurrection. … A group of us gathered at the church this evening. Folks were emotional. Some had never heard the instrument. Others hadn’t heard it in 50 years. … What a great evening, one which says much about the power that music holds over the human spirit.”

Ciampa lives in Natick with his wife Jeanette McGlamery, an attorney. He is the father of four boys, ranging in age from 2 to 10.

Sunday services at the Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society are held at 10:30 a.m. at 64 W. Main St., Westborough.

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