KITKA Yiddish Song Workshop

KITKA is thrilled to be hosting two Yiddish Folk Singing workshops with MICHAEL ALPERT plus two concerts and a Ukrainian Ritual Folk Song workshop with the wonderful singer/actress from Lviv, Ukraine, MARIANA SADOVSKA.
Yiddish Folk Singing Workshops with MICHAEL ALPERT.
Introduction to Yiddish Folk Singing
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
7:30 - 9:30 PM

Advanced Yiddish Folk Singing
Thursday, April 14, 2004
7:30 -9:30 PM

First Congregational Church
27th and Harrison Streets
Oakland, CA
$20 per workshop
Registration and Information: 510.444.0323 or http://www.kitka.org

MICHAEL ALPERT (voice, accordion, violin, guitar, percussion) has been a pioneering figure in the current renaissance of East European Jewish klezmer music for 25 years, and is internationally known for his performances and recordings with Brave Old World, Khevrisa, Kapelye, and David Krakauer. Raised in a Yiddish-speaking family, he is considered the finest traditional Yiddish singer of his generation, and is noted for his original Yiddish songs on contemporary themes. Alpert was musical director of the PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) Great Performances special "Itzhak Perlman: In the Fiddler's House" (1996 Emmy and Rose d'Or Awards) and its subsequent concert tours, and executive producer of the resulting CDs. A former research associate at New York's YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Alpert has conducted extensive documentation of traditional Jewish music and dance in throughout North America and Europe. He is active as a scholar, producer and educator in the Jewish ethnomusicology and cultural history fields, and is the leading contemporary researcher and teacher of East European Jewish traditional dance. An important link between Old World Jewish musicians and the klezmer revival, he has taught and lectured at Oxford University, Columbia University, Yale University and the New England Conservatory of Music. For more information about Michael Alpert, visit: http://www.braveoldworld.com/english/

Esti Kenan Ofri

Singer Esti Kenan Ofri has worked and recorded with Betty Olivero ("Juego de Siempre")and many other composers. She is the singer for the Kol-Tof Duo ("Camino en Mano") and the Kol-Oud-Tof Trio ("Gazelle"). Visit the web site at www.koltofmusic.com

GOLEM Yiddish Rock Band

Sick of eating matzoh? GOLEM, New York’s premiere Yiddish rock band, takes the Knit’s Main Stage on Easter Sunday evening for a wild musical romp through the various cities and shtetls of Eastern Europe. Named after the legendary Jewish Frankenstein of Prague, GOLEM blurs generational and cultural lines to present a unique blend of Eastern European tunes for the 21st century. The band’s explosive onstage attitude gets klezmer rocking by injecting Old World melodies with ferocious energy, sexiness and humor.

Sunday, April 11th
The Knitting Factory
74 Leonard Street, NYC
Tickets $10
Call: 212-219-3132
www.knittingfactory.com
www.golemrocks.com

PARADE at "Bound4Broadway"

"Bound4Broadway" (www.bound4broadway.org), a nonprofit youth theatre company in the Washington, DC area, is currently in production for "Parade", the tragic, true story of the trial and lynching of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn- born Jew, living in Georgia in 1913. The show won Tony? Awards for Best Book and Best Score in 2000.
The show is scheduled for performances
June 18-20, 2004 and June 25-26, 2004
Georgetown Prep. School in Rockville, MD.
for additional information....

Leo Frank, wrongly accused of murdering a 13 year old girl under his employ, Leo is already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him. A sensationalist publisher and a janitor's false testimony seal Leo's fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience, and, eventually, his assimilated Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion. Daring, innovative and bold, "Parade" won well-earned Tony? Awards for Best Book and Best Score in 2000. Its subject matter offers a moral lesson about the dangers of prejudice and ignorance that must not be forgotten. This production will be performed by a cast of students from a variety of local area high schools, along with several middle school students. The cast is fully engaged in this project. The directors and producers are working hard to make sure that the kids really absorb the import of the subject matter and it's not just a "show" to them. This is already coming through in the quality of their rehearsals.

MORE KLEZ CALIFORNIA

The faculty is now announced for the KLEZ CALIFORNIA program in June, including: Stu Brotman | Adrienne Cooper | Corey Fisher | Josh Horowitz | Peter Jacques | Eli Katz | Kevin Mummey | Steve Saxon | Naomi Seidman | Cookie Segelstein | Claire Sherman | Deborah Strauss | Gerry Tenney | Harvey Varga | Jeff Warschauer | Steve Weintraub.
June 20th to the 25th, 2004
Info: 415-789-7679
www.KlezCalifornia.org

Classes, Schedules, Teacher bios, Logistical info .... it's all there, including the registration form. (If you've still got questions, call 415-789-7679). Plus, if you have DSL or Cable internet access, be sure to look at the VIDEO from 2003. If you have dial-up, there are lots of photos. You'll see why people said: "KlezCalifornia ... s'iz geven a fargenign!" (It was a real pleasure ... a delight!)

Shifre Lerer at Kavehoyz

Kavehoyz, sponsored by the Congress for Jewish Culture, will feature the actress Shifre Lerer, star of the Yiddish stage since the 1940s. (She was the lead in the Yiddish film "God, Man, and Devil"). The program "Al dos guts" - From all the best - will feature songs, skits and memoirs. At the piano - Herb Kaplan.
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 PM
at the Congress for Jewish Culture
25 E. 21st. NYC
information: 212-505-8040
admission: $10 includes kosher pastry and coffee.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Pittsburgh Jewish Music Festival, a new annual concert series devoted to Jewish-themed classical music, will debut this spring. The festival is founded by cellist Aron Zelkowicz and will feature musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and guests. This year's theme is "A Vanished World", an exploration of Jewish culture in Eastern Europe at the beginning of the twentieth century, and consists of three programs:
1.Monday, April 19, 2004 8pm
2. Tuesday, April 27, 2004 8pm
3. Wednesday, May 5 2004 8pm
For more info...

1.Monday, April 19, 2004 8pm Levy Hall, Rodef Shalom Congregation 4905 Fifth Ave. VOCAL CONCERT: "An Evening of Jewish Song" with Mimi Lerner. mezzo-soprano and Aron Zelkowicz, cello. Hebrew liturgical works by Ben Steinberg, Yiddish art songs by Lazar Weiner, Yiddish folk songs, the song cycle "We Are Children Just the Same" after poetry by boys in Terezin by Srul Irving Glick, and a set of cello pieces by Israeli composer Joachim Stutschewsky.

2. Tuesday, April 27, 2004 8pm Katz Theatre, JCC of Pittsburgh 5738 Forbes Ave. ORCHESTRA CONCERT: "Klezmer Concertos" Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra resident conductor Lucas Richman conducts a chamber orchestra comprised of PSO and Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra members in two of his own works, "Kol Nidre" and "Overture for Israel" in addition to the N.American premiere of Srul Irving Glick's clarinet concerto"The Klezmer's Wedding" and the world premiere of an instrumental suite from Hans Krasa's "Brundibar". Also "The Fiddle" by Elliot Finkel (with text by Sholom Aleichem) and "Self-Portrait with Gebirtig" by Joel Hoffman.

3. Wednesday, May 5 2004 8pm CHAMBER CONCERT: "Chamber Music from the Old World" PSO members perform a virtuosic selection of klezmer-inspired works for flute, clarinet, piano, harp and strings by Golijov, Glick, Pittsburgh composer David Stock, Hoffman, and Schiff.

Tickets and more info. available at ProArts (412)394- 3353 or www.proartstickets.org

"Ad-nai and I" in NYC in April

David Gould's "Ad-nai and I" project is bringing its eclectic roots reggae and dub sounds back to NewYork City performing some Passover favorites along with a set of reinterpretations of traditional Hebrew prayers, melodies, psalms, and classic Jamaican reggae tracks.
Sat. April 17th- Makor
35 W. 67th St- New York
phone- 212-601-1000
doors at 8pm
tickets- $15
9pm- Klezska
10pm- A&I

Opening the show will be the NY Metro-based group Klezska. This is their debut show at Makor and they deliver their own blend of Jamaican-influenced music and Hebrew melodies- Klezska also features an all-star cast of musicians including former members of Burning Spear more information- http://www.makor.org
Please visit http://www.davidgouldmusic.com for more information on "Ad-nai and I" and other projects, as well as studio and live MP3s, photos, press clippings, and much more.
You can purchase our CDs online at http://www.itownrecords.comand at http://www.tzadik.com

Morry Barak's "Jewish Musical Diaspora" Radio Show

Morry Barak hosts a radio program called "Sounds of the Jewish Musical Diaspora". It features Jewish music from every corner of the globe. Music recorded as far back as 1910 is aired. The show airs every Friday 12:30-2:00pm on 89.3 fm from Northwestern University, Evanston,Ill.
The web address: www. wnur.org will access the net transmission. Spin Magazine called WNUR the 1# station on the web. The show reaches most of Chicago and it's northern suburbs.

Jerusalem Lyric Trio performs Denburg World Premiere

The Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles presents The Jerusalem Lyric Trio in their World Premiere performance of Moshe Denburg�s �In the End of Days�, (B�Aharit Hayamim). This piece was made possible by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.
WHEN: Thursday, March 25, 2004
7:30 PM

WHERE:Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91436
www.vbs.org

Tickets $20. Call (818) 788-6000.
More info...

ABOUT THE JERUSALEM LYRIC TRIO
Musicians Amalia Ishak (Soprano), Wendy Eisler-Kashy (Flute) and Allan Sternfield (Piano), form a unique Israeli ensemble that highlights the religious and cultural heritage of the Jewish people. Since 1995, they have represented Israel through imaginative, dramatic programs worldwide.

ABOUT JMCLA
The Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles (JMCLA) was founded in 1982 to create new opportunities for the performance of Jewish music, to encourage the composition of new Jewish music, to bring Jewish music to new audiences, and to educate those composers who wish to enhance their knowledge to write authentic new Jewish music. JMCLA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization. For more information please visit: http://www.jmcla.org

"A Tribute to Broadway" Cantor's Concert

On May 22nd, 7:30 pm Nancy Linder will present her first Cantor's Concert at Temple Beth David in Westminster, CA.
Located at 6100 Hefley St, Westminster.
Cantorial soloists Arie Schickler from Congregation Shir Ha Ma'alot in Irvine and Mark Thompson from Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana will also perform. Call 714-892-6623 for information.

Albuquerque Academy Klezmer Camp

June 28-July 2, 2004
Set in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains on the lush 300+ acre campus of Albuquerque Academy, this weeklong workshop features Veretski Pass, including tsimbalist and accordianist Josh Horowitz, fiddler Cookie Segelstein, and Stu Brotman on bass. This year we are offering optional afternoon classes including 2 sessions of Yiddish dance, a lecture and slide show on 18th and 19th C. Yiddish life, and a film screening and discussion. You can also hike on our private wilderness tract and on the many acres of public land nearby. Or you may want to explore the cultural resources of the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area. More info....

This class is open to anyone who can play simple tunes on their instrument. You do not have to read music or be familiar with Klezmer style. We encourage both solo players and existing ensembles to participate. Class will run daily from 9 AM until noon with optional afternoon programs as describged above. $210.
The week will conclude with a student concert, and a concert by Cookie, Josh and Stu on Friday evening.
This weeklong workshop could be a great start or end to a southwestern summer vacation or a vacation unto itself.
For more information contact Danny Packer at (505) 828-3361, or packer@aa.edu. To register, contact the Albuquerque Academy Summer session at (505) 858-8811.

NEW CD RELEASES from Milken Archive

MILKEN ARCHIVE OF AMERICAN JEWISH MUSIC and NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS announce the release of two more CDs. The music of SAMUEL ADLER and ERNST TOCH.
For more information, go to http://www.milkenarchive.org/cds/cds.taf?cdid=15

SAMUEL ADLER (CD #8.559415) Samuel Adler, one of America's most respected composers, is equally known for his Judaic and general concert works. The selection of works on this CD embraces choral, cantorial, chamber, solo, and symphonic music, culminating in the Symphony No. 5, WE ARE THE ECHOES, which is based on Jewish poetry reflecting aspects of Jewish experience throughout history. The finale quotes the Jewish philosopher Heschel: "Now and then, high above me, I catch a glimpse of the faceless face of God."

ERNST TOCH (CD #8.559417)
"Fetters fell, the captive rose. Old is the memory of Israel's escape from Egypt. Told and retold for thousands of years, the story has given strength to the weary, hope to the disheartened." Thus begins Ernst Toch's CANTATA OF THE BITTER HERBS, a unique musical-dramatic work begun during the great German-Jewish composer's forced exile to the United States, and premiered in Los Angeles in the midst of World War Two. Toch's retelling of the Passover story is cast as an appeal for universal justice and liberation from oppression. The composer's ultimately triumphant vision is set to luminous late Romantic music and includes a solo quartet that recalls the beauty of the famous trio from DER ROSENKAVALIER. For more information, go to http://www.milkenarchive.org/cds/cds.taf?cdid=16

Cantors in Concert with Susan Kander World Premiere

And the Time of Singing has Come...
An Evening of Cantors in Concert
Honoring Cantor Israel Goldstein, Director
School of Sacred Music - Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion

Thursday April 1 2004 7:30 PM
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
7 West 83rd St (off CPW)
New York City

Presenting the world premiere of a vocal work by composer Susan Kander, with Sandra Schipior, violin... more info...

Funds raised support the Student Scholarship Fund of the School of Sacred Music Features 17 Cantors who are alumni of HUC-JIR SSM (including my teacher) General Admission $25, Children and Students $18 Patrons, prefered seating, reception from $100 to $500 Contact Matthew Cosby at Rodeph Shalom for invitations or reservations.

THE JEWISH PEOPLES PHILHARMONIC CHORUS (JPPC)

Der yidisher filharmonisher folkskhor with CONDUCTOR BINYUMEN ("BEN") SCHAECHTER have upcoming performances in PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY, USA.
THE JPPC is the LONGEST CONTINUALLY PERFORMING YIDDISH - and JEWISH - CHORUS IN THE WORLD.
Upcoming performances:
1) Sun., March 28, 7:30 PM, Gratz Coll., Melrose Park, nr. Philadelphia, PA
2) Sunday, April 18, 7:15 PM, Riverdale Jewish Center, Bronx, NY
3) Sunday, April 25, 6:30 PM, Temple Beth Elohim, Old Bethpage, NY
4) Wednesday, May 19, 8:00 PM, Highland Park Conservative Temple, NJ
5) Sunday, June 6, 2:00 PM, Hebrew Union College, New York, NY
more details....

1) DATE: Sunday, March 28, 2004, 7:30 PM
PLACE: Gratz College, 7605 Old York Rd,
Melrose Park, Pennsylvania 19027 (just outside Philadelphia)
EVENT: Delaware Valley Jewish Choral Festival
TIME: Festival begins @ 2:00; CONCERT BEGINS @ 7:30
Concert features special guest performance by JPPC
INFO, REGISTRATION, TIX: 215-635-7300 x138; ZamirFdn@aol.com
_____________________________________________________

2) DATE: Sunday evening, April 18, 2004, 7:15 PM
PLACE: Riverdale Jewish Center, 3700 Independence Avenue,
corner 237th Street (West side of H.H. Pkwy), Bronx, New York 10463
EVENT: Holocaust commemorative service and JPPC performance
TIME: Holocaust service/performance begins immediately following Mincha
INFO: 718-548-1850; www.rjconline.org
_________________________________________________________

3) DATE: Sunday evening, April 25, 2004, 6:30 PM
PLACE: Temple Beth Elohim, 926 Round Swamp Rd,
Old Bethpage, Long Island, New York 11804
EVENT: JPPC concert
TIME: 5:00 - 6:00 PM Cocktail Party; CONCERT @ 6:30 PM
INFO, TIX: 516-694-4544; www.mytemple.org
________________________________________________________

4) DATE: Wednesday evening, May 19, 2004, 8:00 PM PLACE: Highland Park Conservative Temple And Center, South 3rd and Benner Streets, Highland Park, New Jersey 08904 EVENT: JPPC concert is final event in EXPO '04 - The Jewish Immigrant, Hope and Fulfillment, 1880 -1929 TIME: 8:00 PM INFO: 732-545-6482 (Temple office); www.hpctc.net
__________________________________________________

5) DATE: Sunday afternoon, June 6, 2004, 2:00 PM
PLACE: Hebrew Union College, 1 East 4 St. (West of Broadway),
New York, New York 10012
EVENT: JPPC 81st annual final concert, featuring performance of the Itche-Goldberg / Maurich Rauch OYB NIT NOKH HEKHER (adapted from the Chasidic tale by I.L. Peretz), in honor of Goldberg's 100th birthday (born 1904) and commemorating 10 years since Rauch's passing (1994-2004); as well as selections celebrating 350 years of a Jewish presence in North America (1654-2004), including hits from the Second Avenue Yiddish theatre
TIME: 2:00 PM
INFO: 646-602-2007 Jo Abrams; JPPC@nyc.rr.com

The Youngers of Zion

Traditional acoustic Yiddish dance music and song played by three master musicians. Sunday, April 4 at 7:00-9:00 PM @ :::: S A T A L L A :::::: 37 West 26th St. (bet: 6th/Bway) NYC
212.576.1155 http://www.satalla.com/ $12 cover/$10 minimum. More info...

Henry "Hank" Sapoznik, tenor guitar/vocals
Marlene "Cookie" Segelstein, fiddle
Marty Confurius, 'cello.

The "Youngers of Zion" create an intimate, exciting salon of old time Yiddish music -- hot fiddle tunes, forgotten ballads, introspective instrumentals and snappy Second Avenue vaudeville songs -- all performed with an irresistible immediacy evoking the coziness of the parlor and the raucousness of the dance floor. Deeply rooted in traditional Yiddish music, the "Youngers of Zion"make it their own, playing with an easy sense of ownership and understated virtuosity.

Posted by jmwc at 11:44 AM

Torat Chayim Choral Concert

Temple Shalom of Newton, MA will have a choral concert with music by Ben Steinberg, Saturday March 20, 2004 at 7:30pm. Featuring Cantor Renata Kruzhkova Braun, and acompanied by David Carrier and Chamber Orchestra, the piece is Torat Chayim: A Torah of Life, a work for Voice, Chorus and Chamber Orchestra. Tickets--general admission $25.00 Patron $100 reserved seating. Temple Shalom of Newton, 175 Temple Street. W. Newton, MA 02465. For tickets call: 617-332-9550. Tickets will be held at the door.

Jerusalem Express Klezmer Orchestra

A 6-member klezmer group in Budapest led by Laszlo Szirtes. Laszlo arranges the klezmer and Yiddish music. The website is in Hungarian. It is kept current with dates and places of gigs and performances, and with photos of the group, and contact information. E-mail: szibill@hotmail.com
http://www.szirtes-jeko.hu/

Winds of the Negev

"Israel's 2nd Exodus" is recorded with the B.B.C. London Orchestra, a 40 piece orchestra & chorus. Music composed & conducted by Bill Berle. Recorded in England. Available on C.D. or audio cassette. The recording features such titles as "Tel Aviv Horah" and "Holiday Cha-Cha." Those interested in the CD may send e-mail to: billberle@hotmail.com

VU IS DUS GESELE

The CD consists of old Yiddish songs, with new arrangements. It's recorded and arranged by composer, arranger and pianist, well known in Russia and Europe, Vitaly Barishnikov; vocalist Marina Rinkovska and Regina Fridbourg, Konstantin Miclashevsky and Alex Spektor. The group plans another cd of Yiddish popular songs performed by internationally acclaimed singer-super star Svetlana Portnyanskay, who is based in Los Angeles. She has had a singing role on the sound -track of producer Steven Spielberg's made for documentary on survivors of the Holocaust. for more information, contact:
Email:alex@ammusic.com.au Web: http://www.ammusic.com.au

Ron Shulamit Conservatory of Jerusalem

The Ron Shulamit Conservatory has released two CDs of instrumental collections.
"Shulamit Rythyms" - Accordian Orchestra, Instrumental collection of classical music ranging from Bisset to Strauss, with several pieces arranged by Israel Edelson, performed by Ron-Shulamit's accordion orchestra. The orchestra's repertoire includes Jewish melodies in the Klezmer, Hassidic, and Mizrachi styles, as well as classical and ethnic music from many nations.
"One thing have I asked" - Flute Quartet, Instrumental collection of traditional songs from Psalms, holiday prayers, and Jewish liturgy. Mail Address:
P.O.Box 43179 Jerusalem 91431
Har Nof Office: 30 Iben Danan St.
Tel:02-652-8531

Kurt Weill Review

The music of Kurt Weill will be performed by 5 very talented singers, and staged/choreographed by Steve Weintraub in the Chicago area. The show opens on Friday, March 19, and runs Fridays & Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 7 thru April 25. The location is the historic No Exit Cafe at 6970 N. Glenwood Ave, in Rogers Park. Free parking available at the Trilogy lot at Estes and Glenwood. Tickets are $12, food and drink will be available (seating is at tables). Call 773-743-3355 for info or reservations. More...

Weill not only wrote 3 Penny Opera (with Brecht) and the well known Mack the Knife, but also, after moving to America at the onset of WWII, some beautiful songs for musical theater, including September Song and Speak Low (When You Speak Love). The full range of Weill's adventurous musical styles and social conscience will be evident. Steve staged the first part- the German period, in Expressionist style, and the second, American part, with more than a nod to Broadway.

Songs of R' Yom Tov Erlich

Aderet has just released a CD by Zeesha Schmeltzer, produced by Lipa Schmeltzer, called "the Songs of R' Yom Tov Erlich". Tracks include: 1Ahavas Achim 2 Ness Chanuka 3 Bituchen 4 Gemilas Chasodim 5 Kabbolas Shabbos 6 Teshuva

Joel Rubin at Ithaca College

Jewish Studies at Ithaca College to host big-time Klezmer collaboration: On Sunday, March 21st at 7:30 pm the Ithaca College Klezmorim, under the direction of Dr. Peter Rothbart, will perform a concert for listening and dancing at Emerson Suites on the Ithaca College Campus.
They will be joined and led by world-renowned klezmer clarinetist Joel Rubin and his Cornell University Klezmer Ensemble. Ithaca College concert will include a performance by Joel Rubin with visiting Italian accordionist Claudio Jacomucci and Peter Rushefsky on tsimbl. Yiddish dance expert Roey Mendel will teach and lead klezmer dance before and during the concert. ... more...

Klezmer music lovers of Ithaca are very fortunate to have a great resource in town this year. Joel Rubin is a post-doctoral Mellon fellow in the Music Department at Cornell University. He is teaching courses on Klezmer music and ethnomusicology, directing the Cornell Klezmer Ensemble, and consulting and performing with the Cornell Mid East Ensemble. Joel has been active in the ŒKlezmer revival¹ movement since it¹s inception in the late 1970's and early 1980's. He has performed and written widely while helping to produce a film and numerous recordings and special broadcasts on Klezmer and other Jewish musical traditions. Cornell University will host a special residency with members of the Joel Rubin Jewish Music Ensemble from 3/16-19/04. For more on Joel Rubin, see www.rubin-ottens.com.
The Ithaca College concert will include a performance by Joel Rubin with visiting Italian accordionist Claudio Jacomucci and Peter Rushefsky on tsimbl (an Eastern European Jewish hammered dulcimer) as well as collaborations with the student ensembles from both campuses. Roey Mendel of Rochester¹s 12 Corners Klezmer Band will teach a Yiddish dance workshop preceding the concert at 5:30pm, and will lead dancing during the performance.
This event, a culmination of this year's series of Yiddishkayt programs, is sponsored by Jewish Studies with support from Hillel and the School of Music at Ithaca College. The concert is free and open to the public. Sunday, March 21st, 2004 in Emerson Suites in Phillips Hall, Ithaca College. 7:30 concert and 5:30 dance workshop. Contact: Aron Gutman ­ agutman@ithaca.edu or 607-274-7001.

Summer 2004 Zamir Mission to Israel

Matthew Lazar, Director & Founder Join the Zamir Choral Foundation on its Summer 2004 Mission to Israel For singers and non-singers Once again the Zamir Choral Foundation is leading it's annual mission to Israel. This year's mission will include:
§ Touring
§ Speakers
§ text study
§ performance opportunities
The mission will leave on July 27th. Additionally, this summer we offer a special added attraction: the 52nd Zimriya, The World Assembly of Choirs in Israel, bringing together hundreds of choral singers from around the world for an event that is held every three years. Participate in tours, performances, workshops, open sings with outstanding conductors and singers from around the world. Our own Matthew Lazar will be a major presenter at the Zimriya. This year's Zimriya takes place from August 2-12, 2004. more....

Travelers have a choice of a travel package: July 27 - August 3: mission only or August 2 - August 12: Zimriya only (touring included) or July 27- August 12: the whole Megillah! - (Happy Purim!) In order to prepare for the Mission, register for the Zimriya, and make our plans, we need to find out how many people might attend. We'll also need to inform the Zimriya organizers which one of the workshops our participants will select. We don't need a firm commitment from you yet; we will NOT be collecting registration fees yet (deposits are not due for the Zimriya until May 15th). But we would like to get an approximate head count. If you are interested in attending, PLEASE DO THIS: go to the Zimriya's official web site, www.zimriya.org.il/ and look at the workshop descriptions. Then email Zamir at: mail@zamirfdn.org and let us know: 1. You're interested in attending the mission only, zimriya only or whole megillah, and 2. What workshop interests you. Do this, if possible, before March 12. We'll be back in touch with all those who respond with further details as soon as our arrangements and costs are finalized. Then you can make a final decision on whether you will attend. We know it will be an unforgettable experience. We hope that you will join us this summer in Israel! We'll try to keep updated information available on our web site: www.zamirfdn.org . If you haven't visited the new, updated web site in a while, please do so. It will be your best source for information about the Zamir Foundation, coming events, photos and more. Make it a Favorite on your web browser! Thanks for your continued support. We also look forward to seeing you at the North American Jewish Choral Festival, from July 11-15, 2004 at our new location, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa in Kerhonksen, NY! B'Shalom, Matthew Lazar Founder and Director Zamir Choral Foundation

I Remember Klezmer-The Art of Klezmer Drumming

You're Invited! Come! Shmooze! Eat! Dance! Get your klezmer freak on!
Elaine Hoffman Watts and Susan Watts the dysfunctional mother-daughter duo proudly announce the birth of their CD I Remember Klezmer-The Art of Klezmer Drumming Please be our guest on Sunday, March 14, 2004, at 5pm at The Point, 880 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-527-0988 www.atthepoint.com and help celebrate this auspicious occasion. Musicians: Please bring your instrument as we will be rocking the hell out of Bryn Mawr the Philly Klezmer Way! Questions? E-mail OyveyKlez@aol.com

Gerald Cohen-- Upcoming Performances

Premieres and performances of compositions of Gerald Cohen: March-May 2004
Sunday, March 14
Friday, March 19
Sunday, March 21
Sunday, May 2
For complete listing information times and locations...read further.... Sunday, March 14, 5 p.m.
Performance of Dayeinu, from V'higad'ta L'vincha Performed by the H.L. Miller Cantorial School Choir, JoAnn Rice, conductor at a joint concert with the Hebrew Union College Choir, Joyce Rosenzweig, conductor. Concert also includes works by Sulzer, Helfman, Avery, and other composers Park Avenue Synagogue, Madison and 87th Street, Manhattan Contribution: $15, 10 for seniors and students. For information call 212-824-2279

Friday, March 19, 8 p.m.
Premiere of Kaddish (based on a poem of Marge Piercy) I will be performing this piece as part of the Friday evening service at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, Florida The piece was commissioned, through Meet the Composer's New Music, New Donors program, to honor Jane Perman and in memory of her parents. For more information on the piece and its premiere: http://www.naplestemple.org/special%2011.htm

Sunday, March 21, 4 p.m
New York Premieres of Kaddish and Sing Our Song Concert of Kol Dodi Community Chorale, Cantors Joel Caplan and Erica Lippitz, conductors Sing Our Song was commissioned by Kol Dodi with a text especially written by Elie Wiesel for this composition. Concert also includes a wide variety of Jewish choral music. Shaarei Tikvah Congregation, 46 Fox Meadow Road, Scarsdale, NY. Contribution: $25; 15 for seniors, 5 for students
For information: http://www.shaareitikvah.org/Spring%20Concert.htm

Sunday, May 2, 3 p.m.
Performance of Preludes and Debka, for trombone and string quartet Concert of the American Society for Jewish Music; also includes works by Bernstein, Bloch, Copland, Kraft Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, Manhattan
for information, call the American Society for Jewish Music: 212-294-8328

Ta-rrrummmm...

Chicago.
Mitziut's next Jewish Drum Circle will convene for a rhythm-washed afternoon on Sunday, March 14, 2-4pm at the No Exit Cafe, 6970 N Glenwood, just north of Morse on the west side of the Red Line tracks in Rogers Park. Join us for exotic beats from far off lands or quirky ones from nearby inspirations. No drum or experience required. For more info mitziut@yahoo.com

Jascha Nemtsov Presents Jewish Composers

'ACROSS BOUNDARIES'
"AU-DELA DES FRONTIERES"

Récital-conférence de JASCHA NEMTSOV
Salle des Abeilles, 2 rue de l'Athénée, Genève
Dimanche 14 mars à 17h


Réservations: amj@club-association.ch ou tel 022 734 71 93

Sur invitation de l'AMJ, le pianiste et musicologue russe de renommée internationale Jascha Nemtsov présentera un répertoire original de compositeurs juifs russes du début du vingtième siècle. Chaque oeuvre fera l'objet d'une présentation spécifique. Jascha Nemtsov est l'auteur de plusieurs ouvrages de référence sur ce thème: http://www.musica-judaica.com/composers.htm Ce concert sera dédié au professeur Shimon Markish.

Au programme: Arthur Lourié (1892-1966): Valse
Juliusz Wolfsohn (1880-1944): Deux paraphrases d'après d'anciennes mélodies juives
Alexander Krejn (1883-1951): 3 pièces tirées de la Suite "Jüdische Tänze"
Joseph Achron (1886-1943): Variations symphoniques sur thème juif 'El Yivneh Hagalil'
Alexander Weprik (1899-1958): Sonate n°2
Joachim Stutschewsky (1891-1982): Vier jüdische Tanzstücke
Arthur Lourié (1892-1966): Nocturne, Gigue

Entrée: 28 Frs / AVS, AI, étudiants, chomeurs: 18 Frs
Réduction complémentaie de 5 Frs pour membres AMJ
Réservations: amj@club-association.ch ou tel 022 734 71 93

Delaware Valley Jewish Choral

Gratz College will host the 4th annual Delaware Valley Jewish Choral Festival on Sunday, March 28. Sponsored by the Zamir Choral Foundation in conjunction with Gratz and the Jewish choral community of the Delaware Valley, the event is designed for lovers of Jewish music of all backgrounds... Contact the Tyson Music Department at Gratz College, 215-635-7300, or e-mail ZamirFdn@aol.com See more information...

The program will begin at 2 p.m. with a "community sing" of choral selections led by local conductors, with special guest, Binyumen Schaechter, director of the Jewish People's Philharmonic Chorus. Specializing in Yiddish music, the choir has been performing continuously for more than 80 years, and will headline the evening concert that follows the day-long event. Schaechter will also lead two of the twelve workshops scheduled following the community sing, on topics ranging from Yiddish humor in song to vocal improvisation, conducting volunteer choirs and the relationship between Jewish choral music and Broadway. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend their choice of two hour-long sessions during the afternoon, following which a light, Glatt Kosher buffet will be served. In addition to the Jewish People's Philharmonic Chorus, the evening program, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will feature performances by the M'kor Shalom Chorale of Cherry Hill, conducted by Cantor Anita Hochman, and by Nashirah, a newly-formed, auditioned chorus conducted by Robert Ross. Participants are encouraged to attend the full-day event, but an afternoon-only option is available. Tickets for the concert, alone, may also be purchased. Discounts are available for seniors and students. For further information, contact the Tyson Music Department at Gratz College, 215-635-7300, or e-mail ZamirFdn@aol.com

Gili Sharett at Carnegie Hall

Gili Sharett will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall on Sunday May 9 at 5:30 pm. in the Weill Auditorium. Sharett is a bassoon player, and is premiering three pieces by contemporary Jewish composers: Sheila Silver, Yehezkel Braun and Noam Sivan. For this and other great concerts, see the Carnegie Hall website: http://www.carnegiehall.org/intro.jsp More about the concert...

Sheila Silver's Lullaby for Bassoon is inspired by the true account of a Southern woman slave's escape. Having been hidden away from her children for 7 years, the night before she was to be shipped to the north, she met with her daughter and held her in her arms all night and sang to her. This image inspired the Lullaby.

I Hear America Singing

The Music Division of the Library of Congress is pleased to announce the launch of a new Web site, I Hear America Singing (IHAS), a portal to the Library's music and performing-arts collections available at http://www.loc.gov/ihas/ The Library of Congress has holdings of many famous American Jewish composers and performers, including Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, which will eventually be included in this collection IHAS.... (For more information about current online exhibits.... see the JMWC biographies at http://www.jmwc.org/jmwc_biography.html#b) for more on IHAS see entries ...

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I Hear America Singing integrates the collections, commissions and live concerts of the Library of Congress, allowing users to discover the Library's music and performing-arts collections through a single gateway on the Web. The site brings together thousands of materials digitized from the Library's vast collections of sheet music, sound recordings, moving images, manuscripts, photographs, and oral histories, along with essays by Library staff and other leading researchers in the performing arts. It showcases the world-renowned tradition of live performing arts at the Library by featuring cybercasts of new concerts and offering a wide selection of historic concerts from the archives, including premieres of important works of contemporary classical music. It makes education a vital component by cybercasting performing arts-related symposia and panels held at the Library and making them available to users. I Hear America Singing will also become a "virtual community" for scholars, musicians, and music aficionados. Researchers will be able to comment online on the materials presented and share their own conclusions and insights about them. Content appealing to the K-12 community of teachers and students will be added in future releases. The debut release of I Hear America Singing offers the following special features: *Selections from jazz legend Gerry Mulligan's collection at the Library of Congress, including his previously unreleased oral autobiography, original scores and manuscripts, and recordings *"Life in Nineteenth-Century Ohio," a capsule example of how music reflects social history based on the lively musical life of Cincinnati a century and a half ago *"Patriotic Melodies," which features the stories behind of some of America's most important national songs *Walt Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing," with an interpretation by the Library's poetry specialist and a reading of the poem by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins *A collection of historical sheet music published from 1800 to 1922 Forthcoming additions to I Hear America Singing will include concerts performed at the Library of Congress, including specially commissioned pieces and cybercasts; Civil War sheet music; and African-American popular music from the early twentieth century. Please submit any questions you may have about this Web site to the Library of Congress's Music Division at: http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-perform.html

North American Jewish Choral Festival, July 11-15, 2004

The Zamir Choral Foundation is pleased and excited to announce that the North American Jewish Choral Festival will take place this summer, July 11-15, 2004, at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in in Kerhonksen, N.Y.-about 20 minutes from our previous location at the Nevele.

This new venue will provide Festival attenders with more comfortable and up-to-date accommodations, better all-around service, some great amenities-all available under one roof! The hotel provides glatt kosher catering, too. Festival has been searching for a location that better suits our needs and provides a level of service that we think you'll find attractive at a cost that's approximately the same as in past years. And importantly, being in one facility will help bring a new sense and spirit to the Festival-exactly what The Foundation has in mind as we begin our 15th year.
The Hudson Valley is a little smaller than previous hotels, but it is a beautiful hotel with great amenities, including a wonderful spa (check out their web site at www.hudsonvalleyresort.com . We won't have unlimited accommodations, so rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. But we think the size, service, and the fact that's it's all under one roof, will lend itself to a greater sense of community and cohesiveness.
For the 2004 NACJF, we're working on some exciting new additions and offerings that will make this year's Festival even more special.yet maintain the quality, spirit, learning and meaning that have made past Festivals so successful. Information packets and registration materials will be coming out in the near future, so watch your mailbox for the details. And we hope to be able to take on-line registrations at the Zamir Choral Foundation's revamped website. (Visit www.zamirfdn.org to see the new, upgraded site! We think you'll find it much more useful and appealing). We hope you sense the excitement and promise that we are feeling. The Zamir Choral Foundation is growing in new and dramatic ways. Under the leadership of an energetic, involved Board, we have expanded our efforts and are launching new ideas that promise even bigger and better things that will enhance our mission as the leading force in the Jewish world for sustaining and advancing the Jewish choral tradition.
We have:
§ Updated and revised our web site, materials, and public relations efforts; § Laid plans for building greater connection and exchange in the ever-widening Jewish choral network; § Strengthened our ground-breaking program for teens, Hazamir: The International Jewish High School Choir, now in its 11th year; and § Searched for new ways to augment and enhance the role we can play to foster and Jewish choral music to individuals, groups and the larger community. § Undertaken a broader, more effective development campaign to raise funds to improve our programming and activities.

19th Annual Jewish Music Festival

March 20 – 27, 2004 a program of the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center Box Office tickets & info 925-866-9599 or www.brjcc.org Tickets on sale March 1 BRJCC members. March 4 general public. Call today for a brochure! See more details...

David Krakauer's Klezmer Madness! with guest DJ So-Called Saturday, March 20, 8:00pm Wheeler Auditorium, UC Berkeley $20-$25 Jazz and klezmer collide in a dazzling display of clarinet virtuosity spiced with hip hop.

Ronnie Gilbert: A Radical Life with Songs Sunday, March 21 4:00pm Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 1414 Walnut Street (at Rose), Berkeley $15-$20 A one-woman show that celebrates the life of a singer, actor, writer and community activist.

Also March 18 7:30pm Osher Marin JCC Call 415-444-8000 for tickets

Back to the Sources: The music collections of pioneer Russian Jewish folklorists Tuesday, March 23, 7:30pm $15-$10 BRJCC A dialog and musical demonstration with eminent scholars Dr. Izaly Zemtsovsky and Michael Alpert, member of the klezmer ensemble Brave Old World.

Kinetic Klezmer Jam Thursday, March 25 7:30pm BRJCC $15-$10 Traditional musical styling taught by a mother and daughter duo, descendants of the Hoffman klezmer dynasty. All instruments and skill levels welcome.

Philly Klezmer Swing Dance Party with Dance Lesson Saturday, March 27 6:30pm lesson 8:00pm party The Crowden Music Center 1475 Rose (at Sacramento), Berkeley near North Berkeley BART $20-$15 It’s time to swing to Bei Mir Bistu Shein! The Hoffmans are joined by Josh Dolgin, dance master Steven Weintraub, and Bay Area jazz allstars Sheldon Brown and Richard Saunders.

Additional Events--- (Call telephone numbers listed below for information.)

Ashkenazi and Sephardi Music Workshop—2 Sessions Part One—Ask Dr. Klez: Musical Intermarriage in the Ashkenazi World Thursday March 4 7:30 - 9:00pm A provocative history of klezmer, the traditional music of Eastern European Jews, with live music, historical recordings and unique insight. Presented by Joshua Horowitz, founder and director of the klezmer ensemble Budowitz.

Thursday March 11 7:30 - 9:00pm Part Two—The Other Half of the Jewish Musical Sky: An Introduction to Sephardic Traditions From Morocco to Bulgaria, to the New World, Sephardic music encompasses Ladino songs to liturgical chants inspired by Arabic and Turkish modes, to modern Israeli pop. Presented by Francesco Spagnolo, ethnomusicologist and director of Yuval Italia-the Italian Center for the Study of Jewish Music. Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica. To register for either or both, call (510) 845-6420 or www.lehrhaus.org Both sessions at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut Street (at Rose), Berkeley

Wednesday, March 10, 6:00pm Lecture – From Kiev to California and Back Klezmer Music and History Joshua Horowitz and Francesco Spagnolo San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, (415) 557-4400 (Free)

Friday March 12 – 7:30pm Shir HaShirim Kabbalat Shabbat Service Jewish sacred music, poetry and prayer from around the world. BRJCC 510-848-0237

Wednesday, March 17, 7:30pm Teen Concert – So-Called on Second Avenue with Josh Dolgin Temple Isaiah 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette For tickets and info: 925-283-8575

Sunday, March 28, 4:00pm Classical Concert – 20th Century Jewish Masterpieces Works by Ernest Bloch, Mario Davidovsky, Daniel David Feinsmith, Arnold Schoenberg, Stefan Wolpe, and William Susman. Performed by Grammy-nominated pianist David Holzman. Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. For tickets and info, (415) 474-1608, or www.oldfirstconcerts.org In association with Old First Concerts.

Tuesday, March 30, 8:00pm Film – Chants of Sand and Stars A tapestry of Jewish world music – From Azerbaijan, to Manhattan to Israel In association with The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

Kanbar Hall at JCCSF 3200 California Street & Presidio Avenue San Francisco 415-292-1233 or www.jccsf.org

June 20-25 KlezCalifornia, a five-day celebration of klezmer, Yiddish language, dance and cultural arts. Children and teen programs included. Jewish Community High School of the Bay San Francisco Contact 415-789-7679 or www.klezcalifornia.org

Klezfest in Ukraine

Celebrate the Rebirth of Klezmer Music in the Former Soviet Union at the Fifth Annual KlezFest, Ukraine!
August 15-20, 2004
Kiev, Ukraine
http://klezmer.com.ua/events/info5.php Yana Yanover, 2004 Director