November 18, 2005
CHOIRS AND CANTORS SPARK THIS CHANUKAH SEASON
Over 250 adults and children will celebrate Chanukah, the Festival of
Lights, in concert, 3 P.M., Sunday, December 11, 2005, as Congregation
Rodeph Sholom of Manhattan hosts its unique Festival of Choirs. The
sixth annual concert will feature Cantors and their choirs from the New
York City metropolitan area. This year, the first night of Chanukah is
Sunday, December 25, 2005.
A Festival of Choirs is free of charge and open to the entire community.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom is located at 7 West 83rd Street off of
Central Park West in Manhattan. For more information about this
concert, please call (212) 362-8800, ext. 1337.
"It is truly magical to hear this many adults and children celebrate
the Chanukah season through song," according to Congregation Rodeph
Sholom's Senior Cantor, Rebecca Garfein. "We all look forward to
continuing this tradition for many years to come."
Highlights of the concert will include "Raise up the Menorah" written in
2004 for the Midrash Hour V by Rodeph Sholom congregant, Eliot Bailen
and students from the Rodeph Sholom Day School and Religious School. The
Midrash Hour is a full length musical written by Mr. Bailen and students
from the Rodeph Sholom schools each year. The song, "Raise up the
Menorah" will be sung at the Festival of Choirs by the combined
children's choirs, 100 voices strong. Another highpoint will be the
concert's finale, "Bring on the Light," a piece by composer, singer and
actor, Danny Maseng, that was commissioned by Congregation Rodeph Sholom
for the Festival of Choirs in 2001.
Also featured at the concert will be area Adult Volunteer and Children's
Choirs, along with Cantor Garfein and Cantor Jennifer Frost, Associate
Cantor, and Cantorial Intern Jennifer Strauss-Klein of Congregation
Rodeph Sholom. Also participating in the concert will be Cantors Bruce
Ruben and Daniel Singer, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Manhattan; Cantor
Ida-Rae Cahana, Central Synagogue; Cantor Kathy Barr, Village Temple,
Manhattan; Cantor Steven Pearlston, Free Synagogue of Flushing, Queens,
New York; Cantor Janet Leuchter and Music Director, Rose Moskowitz,
Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, NY; Cantor Claire Franco, Community
Synagogue, Port Washington, NY; and Cantor Fredda Mendelson, Larchmont
Temple.
Accompanying the choirs will be acclaimed pianist, composer and
arranger, Jonathan Faiman. Joining Mr. Faiman will be the "Festival of
Choirs" combo: John Hadfield, percussion, Mike Cohen, winds, and Dan
Freeman, upright and electric bass.
Posted by jmwc at November 18, 2005 02:23 PM