KLEZFEST ST. PETERSBURG 2007

The Center for Jewish Music of the Jewish Community Center of St. Petersburg is proud to announce "KlezFest St. Petersburg 2007," an international seminar on the traditional music of Eastern European Jewry, to be held July 8-12, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

"KlezFest St. Petersburg," now in its 11th year, is the oldest klezmer seminar in Russia. The 2007 festival will include master-classes on Yiddish folk songs and klezmer music, workshops on Yiddish folklore and Yiddish dance, lectures, concerts, and two excursions: "Jewish St. Petersburg" and "Rivers and Canals of St. Petersburg." Our staff will include world-famous musicians -- from New York, the violinist, accordion player, vocalist, ethnomusicologist and the world's leading expert on Yiddish dance, Michael Alpert; also from New York, the vocalist from the famous Klezmatics group, Lorin Sklamberg; from Zaporozhie, Ukraine, the Yiddish folk poet and singer Arkady Gendler, and others.

"KlezFest St. Petersburg," dedicated to bringing klezmer music and Yiddish culture back to the land of their birth, includes Jewish musicians from the vibrant centers of the Jewish renaissance throughout the former Soviet Union.

This year again we are pleased to announce a special program for lovers of Yiddish music and culture from other parts of the globe. We are asking for a contribution of $550. This sum will include food and lodging in St. Petersburg for 5 days and the entire seminar program, including interpreters when needed, concerts and two excursions. Participants will pay for their own transportation to St. Petersburg.

For more information, please contact the Jewish Community Center of St. Petersburg via e-mail or visit our site <www.klezfest.ru>.

For advice on travel and visa arrangements, contact our American sponsor, the Jewish Community Development Fund in Russia and Ukraine, a project of the American Jewish World Service (New York), via telephone: (+1-212) 792-2916, or e-mail: <jcdf@ajws.org>.

Join us at "KlezFest St. Petersburg" this summer! If you haven't been on the Neva River during White Nights with Russian klezmorim, you haven't lived!

Nashirah looking for new singers

Nashirah is an auditioned, community-based chorale in the Greater Philadelphia area that performs exclusively Jewish and Jewish-themed music. Participating singers come from New Jersey, Delaware, and of course, Pennsylvania.

The group website is http://www.nashirah.org/

Nashirah will have a Spring concert
Sunday • May 20, 2007 • 3:00 PM at
Congregation RODEPH SHALOM,
615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia
Information is available from http://www.nashirah.org/
Nashirah is planning auditions for the 2007-2008 season in early summer. We are actively looking for new singers.

"Weinberger Tour"

"WEINBERGER TOUR" in Czech republic Czech cellist Frantisek Brikcius will appear with pianist Tomas Visek as part of the project "Weinberger Tour" with composition written by Jewish composers on the opening concert on Monday 23rd April 2007 in Spanish Synagogue in Prague and continuing on tour until 29 October 2007, 7.30 pm, Pálffy palace - final concert Černovice 3 November 2007, 7pm. The concert tour "Weinberger Tour" of the Czech cellist Frantisek Brikcius and Czech pianist Tomas Visek is in remembrance of Jewish composer, Jaromir Weinberger (1896 - 1967), who was born in Prague (40 years since his tragic death) and introducing to the audience lesser known works of Jewish "Terezín" composers. On the program are compositions written by Erwin Shulhoff (Sonata), James Simon (Lamento 1938 - Czech premiere), Irena Kosikova (d-Fence - premiere) and Jaromir Weinberger (Une cantilene jalouse & Colloque sentimental - arr. by F. Brikcius for cello and piano - premiere). The project is under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech republic and the Mayor of the City of Brno, Roman Onderka.

The project concerts are prepared in the cooperation with the Jewish Museum in Prague and they will be released in Prague (opening concert on Monday 23rd April 2007), Brno, Decin, Terezin, Teplice, Lidice, Nelahozeves, Boskovice, Breclav, ... and in Prague (closing concert 29th October) in 2007. The final concert in Prague will be documented for music magazine Terra Musica broadcasted by the Czech television (CT) in November. To read a complete listing of the concerts, and about the musicians, keep reading... The main goals of the projects are:
- Reminding the memory of Jewish composers, whose work has been in Auschwitz cut out with no mercy. They are "lost composer" James Simon (1880 - 1944) and Erwin Schulhoff (1894 - 1942).
- Jaromír Weinberger's (1896 - 1967) memory, in 2007 is 40 years since his tragically death.
- Presenting new compositions that are continuing in the tradition of above-mentioned composers. In this case represented by Czech composer and organist Irena Kosíková ("7Candles").
- To make this kind of music accessible to the larger audience. There is no entry fee (Prague, Brno).
- Documentation of this project by Czech television, as with "7 Candles" project.

http://www.Brikcius.com/Doc/PressKit/Brikcius.jpg
http://www.Brikcius.com/Doc/PressKit/WeinbergerTour.uk.doc
http://www.Brikcius.com/Doc/PressKit/23.IV.2007.WeinbergerTour.pdf

Project "Weinberger Tour"
Jaromír Weinberger (1896 - 1967)
Une Cantilène jalouse (1920)
Arr. for Cello and Piano by F. Brikcius - premiere

Erwin Schulhoff (1894 - 1942)
Sonata for Cello and Piano (1914)

Jaromír Weinberger (1896 - 1967)
Colloque sentimental - Prélude d'après le poème de Paul Verlaine (1920)
Arr. for Cello and Piano by F. Brikcius - premiere

James Simon (1880 - 1944)
Lamento für Cello (in jemenitischer Weise),
Meinem Lieber Martin! (17/18. XII. 1938) - Czech premiere

Irena Kosíková
d-Fence for Cello and Piano (2007) - premiere

František Brikcius - Cello
Tomáš Víšek - Piano

Prague 23 April 2007, 7.30 pm, Spanish Synagogue - opening concert
Nelahozeves, 4 May 2007, 7pm - 14. Dvořákova hudební Nelahozeves Mikulov 2007
Praha 2 October 2007, Atrium
Teplice 4 October 2007
Boskovice 7 October 2007, Synagogue
Brno 8 October 2007
Lidice 11 October 2007, 6pm
Terezín 16 October 2007
Děčín 18 October 2007, 7pm, Synagogue
Prague 19 October 2007, 6pm, Weinbergerova vila
Prague 23 October 2007, 6pm, VKC Jewish Museum
Prague 29 October 2007, 7.30 pm, Pálffy palace - final concert
Černovice 3 November 2007, 7pm


About the Artists:
TOMÁŠ VÍŠEK - Piano:
Czech pianist Tomáš Víšek (1957) started to play the piano at eight years of age at the musical school under professor Pavel Svoboda. During the years of 1972-1976 studied at the Prague Conservatory under professor Valentina Kamenikova and then later under professor Zdeněk Kozina. During the years of 1976-1984 studied at AMU (Academy of Arts) in Prague at first under professor Josef Páleníček and then under professor Zdeněk Jílek with whom he continued post-graduate studies in the years of 1990-1993.

During his studies he became a many-time laureate in domestic competitions (Ústi nad Labem, Hradec Králové, Mariánské Lázně). In international events he acquired awards in Chopin competition in Warsaw, 1975 (Janina Nawrocka special prize), Smetana competition in Hradec Kralove, 1978 (IInd prize plus an award for Smetana interpretation). During the nineties this success was followed by the Second Prize that he won in international competitions in Vienna (1992) and in Sicilian Ragusa (1994), and in 1995 he won the Fifth Prize in the Concours Milosz Magin in Paris.

He performed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Egypt, Japan, Hungary, Russia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Switzerland and Austria (he repeatedly gave performances in the Vienna Musikverein, as soloist in the Grieg's Piano Concerto). Radio France arranged a separate recital for him. Visek recorded also for Czech and Polish Radio, Czech television (the cycle "Top of Classics") and on CD records. His piano recital in international festival Prague Spring in May 1997 was highly responded, as well as his performances there in 2002, 2003 and 2005); other successes - the unique festival "Music of extended duration" on Prague Castle (work of J. Cage) and the festival "Musica Iudaica" with the work of Jewish composers (Gershwin, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, E.|W. Korngold, etc.) in 1997, several times performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with orch. in the Dvorak Hall of Prague Rudolfinum in 1998, St. Wenceslas Festival in 2003 etc.

Interview with Tomáš Víšek - Czech Music 2/98: "Víšek is an explosive type of an artist who is always fully absorbed in the play. It is almost with an obsession and devilish attitude he is enjoying every twist turn in the plot of the play with the unique touch he moves it into convincing levels with deep absorption. He is unveiling various secret of the manuscript and he has proved to keep the audience in suspense for a long duration." Hudební rozhledy (music magazine)

More details can be found on http://www.musica.cz/visek

FRANTIŠEK BRIKCIUS - Cello:

Czech cellist František Brikcius was born in Prague, into a family with a distinguished cultural background. From early childhood he began to play the cello and quickly developed into a competent student. He was accepted into the Janáček Academy of Music (JAMU) in Brno after completing his study of the absolutory at the Prague Conservatoire, under Professor Jaroslav Kulhan. As a student at JAMU, František studied in Bedřich Havlík’s cello class. He furthered his study at The Toho Gakuen Academy in Japan, and continues his studies today with master classes under the guidance of Professor Anna Shuttleworth in United Kingdom. He graduated from JAMU with an MgA degree, under the tutelage of Professor Evžen Rattay.

He has actively participated in many international cello master classes in Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Great Britain and Israel. French Academy 1999, 2000, 2001 (Prof. J.Bárta), Terezín Composers International Master classes 1999 (Prof. D.Sella), Cello Master classes 2001 (Prof. L.Meze), Jihlava Master classes 2000, 2001, 2002 (Prof. D.Sella, Prof. E.Rattay), International Cello Interpretation Master classes 2002 (Prof. S.Apolín), Summer Academy in Semmering 2000, 2001, 2003 (Prof. C.Onsczay, Prof. T.Kühne), Cello Master classes 2003 (Prof. L.Uynterlinde), Eton Cello Master classes 2002, 2004 (Prof. J.Goritzki, Prof. Melissa Phelps, Prof. Anna Shuttleworth), Jerusalem Academy Master classes in Jezreel Valley 2004 (Prof. Z.Plesser, Prof. S.Magen), Terezín Composers Master classes in Israel 2004 (Prof. D.Sella).

He has performed at many festivals including "Lotherton Hall Young Artists Platform 2002" (UK), Festival Czech and Slovak Music in London 1999, 2000, 2002 (UK), Festival History, Music & Memory 2004 (Israel), Festival Music in the Valley 2004 (Israel), Violoncello 2005 in Brussels (Belgium), Spring in Russia 2006 (Moscow). He also enthusiastically visits cello festivals where he is able to mix with other young artists. These include the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival 2004, Cello Meisterkurse & Konzerte Kronberg Academy 2004.

František Brikcius was the winner of the Anglo-Czech Competition in London (1999). He was awarded 2nd prize at The International String Competition London (2000), and 2nd prize at The International String Competition Jihlava (2003). He was a fellow of The Czech Music Foundation (ČHF) in the 2001 and 2002 for the interpretation of contemporary Czech composers.

František Brikcius has been supported by Foundation Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdeňky Hlávkových (1999), Österreichisches Kulturinstitut Prag (1999), Johannes Brahms Wettbewerb (1999), Czech Music Foundation (ČHF), Foundation Gideon Klein for the propagation of works written by Gideon Klein (2004), Foundation Pro talent (2005), Foundation OSA (2005), Foundation Charta 77 (2005), Summer Academy in Semmering Scholarship (2000, 2001, 2003), Socrates-Erasmus Scholarship (2001, 2002), Japanese Toho Gakuen Fellowship (2002), Kronberg Cello Academy Scholarship (2004), Israeli government scholarship (2004).

He chose to dedicate his life to the interpretation of cello compositions written by composers of the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st century, with special consideration given to the compositions for cello solo. He also allows himself time to concentrate on works by Czech, Terezín and contemporary composers.

František Brikcius plays a "George Kriwalski" cello made in the 1904. He is together with his sister Anna Brikcius, founding member of the "Duo Brikcius". In 2007 he will appear as part of the "Brikcius Cello Tour 2007" in Austria, Czech republic, France, Italy and United Kingdom. More information about František Brikcius and his projects ("Prague - Brno 2005: 6 Contemporary composers for cello solo in the interpretation of František Brikcius", "Tartini's L'Arte dell'Arco in the interpretation of František Brikcius". "7 Candles" & "Weinberger Tour") is available on websites http://www.Brikcius.com .

COMPOSERS

Jaromír Weinberger
The Czech, later American composer Jaromír Weinberger (January 8th, 1896 – August 8th, 1967) was born in Jewish family in Prague, where he lived until 1937. He was one of the first Czech film music composers (Na růžích ustláno - 1934). He studied at the Conservatories in Prague (K. Hoffmeister) and in Leipzig. He studied with M. Reger and assumed into his own technique. In 1939, after extensive travels to the United States, Bratislava, Vienna and Paris, he fled his native country to escape the Nazis (he was of Jewish origin) and settled in N. Y. State, teaching there and in Ohio. He became an American citizen in 1948. During the 1950s, Weinberger moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. In later life, he developed cancer of the brain, and this, together with money worries and the neglect of his music, prompted him to take a lethal drug overdose. Weinberger composed over 100 works; the best known is the opera Švanda dudák (Švanda Bagpiper), a world-wide success after its première in 1927 (Vienna - 1930, Metropolitan Opera New York - 1931, Covent Garden London - 1934, State Opera Berlin, …). This year we are reminding 40 years since his tragically death.

Irena Kosíková
Czech organist and composer Irena Kosíková was born in Prague into the intellectual family of the forbidden philosopher Karel Kosík and literature scientist Růžena Grebeníčková, the Herder prize laureate. She started her studies of organ playing with prof. J. Hora, together with piano lessons given by prof. E. Kleinová and prof. A. Grünfeldová. She studied organ performance (prof. J. Potměšilová) and conducting (prof. K. Fiala) at Ježek's Conservatory. She wasn't allowed for further studies because of political reasons. Private compositions lessons with prof. M. Raichl. Finally after the Velvet Revolution she was accepted at the Janáček Academy of Music (JAMU) in Brno into the organ class of prof. A. Veselá and prof. K. Klugarová. She graduated at the Academy of Music (HAMU) in Prague, under the guidance of prof. J. Popelka. She is giving organ concerts and teaching organ performance at the Music School of Charlotta Masaryk in Prague. She is now intensively composing too. Her works have been performed in Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, Israel, Russia and UK. As the Organist she is specialised on the interpretation of organ works written by J. S. Bach: complete performance of Organ Toccatas, Voluntaries, Leipzig Chorals, The Art of Fugue, Organ Messes etc. More on http://www.iKosik.com .

James Simon
German composer, pianist and musicologist James Simon (September 29th, 1880 - August 12th 1944, the date of his deportation from Theriesienstadt to Auschwitz) was born into the Jewish family in Berlin and murdered in Auschwitz in 1944 after the Theriesienstadt experience (1941-1944). He studied at the Musikhochschule in Berlin piano (C. Ansorge) and composition (Max Bruch). In 1934 he was forced to leave Germany to Zurich, later Amsterdam where he was arrested and deported to Theriesienstadt. While some of Simon's piano pieces, songs and his opera "Frau im Stein" (1918) were published, lot of his great compositions are still remaining unperformed. He is called "Lost Composer".

Erwin Schulhoff
Erwin Schulhoff (June 8th 1894 - August l8th 1942) came from Prague Jewish-German family. He started his musical studies at the Prague Conservatory of Music, continued them in Vienna and Leipzig (where his composition teacher was M. Reger) and completed them successfully in Cologne. The promising start of his career as a composer and pianist was interrupted by the outbreak of the 1WW, a time that he spent as a soldier on the eastern front. This experience completely changed his vision of the world and of the art. As the great pianist, he performed contemporary compositions in many prestigious music festivals in Europe. As the composer he produced many works written for piano, chamber music and for orchestra (at the time his death he was sketching his 7th and 8th Symphony). Following the tragic events of the 1938-39 period he was considering the possibility of settling down in the Soviet Union (he even obtained Soviet citizenship), but he could not make it. After the attack of Germans on the Soviet Union, he was arrested and imprisoned first in Prague and later in the Wulzburg camp, where he died of tuberculosis after about a one-year of imprisonment.

Pharaoh's Daughter Record Release

Pharaoh's Daughter is releasing their newest album on May 14, 2007 at the Highline Ballroom located at:
431 W 16th St
New York, NY 10011
between 9th and 10th Ave
(212) 414-5994

Website: www.pharaohsdaughter.com Time: 8pm
Doors: 6 PM
Tickets: $25.00 (Free CD with ticket purchase)

All Ages

Pharaoh's Daughter

Blending a psychedelic sensibility and a pan-Mediterranean sensuality, Basya Schechter leads her band, Pharaoh's Daughter, through swirling Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings and electronica.Her sound has been cultivated by her Hasidic music background and a series of trips to the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Egypt, Central Africa, Turkey, Kurdistan and Greece.

Rebbe's Orkestra in Albuquerque, NM

The Rebbe's Orkestra presents an evening of Klezmer, Mediterranean, East European and Middle Eastern music for a concert and dance party at Winning Coffee in Albuquerque.
Saturday, June 16th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
Winning Coffee,
111 Harvard Dr. SE (south of Central Ave. near UNM),
Albuquerque, NM, 505-266-0000.
Admission is $5.00 at the door: 12 and under are free.
http://www.isound.com/mp3s/rebbes_orkestra_klezmer_and_judaic_band

To learn all about the concert and the musicians, keep reading here...
Join the southwest's favorite klezmer band - THE REBBE'S ORKESTRA - for a concert of Sephardic, Mediterranean, Eastern European and Middle Eastern music, on Saturday, June 16th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. The evening will begin with the concert which will also include folk songs in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), Arabic, Greek and Romany. Then push back the chairs for a Klezmer dance party! Simple line and circle dances (no partner needed) will be quick-taught and led by Michele Diel, who is a member of Rikud Yiddish dance troupe. The concert and dance party will take place at Winning Coffee, 111 Harvard Dr. SE (south of Central Ave. near UNM), Albuquerque, NM, 505-266-0000. Admission is $5.00 at the door: 12 and under are free.

The Rebbe's Orkestra is an Albuquerque-based ensemble that has been performing throughout the Southwest since 1996. The ensemble plays an eclectic variety of Jewish music: Klezmer (Jewish instrumental dance music of Eastern Europe), Middle-Eastern and Israeli pieces, Yiddish theater and folk songs, Sephardic (Judeo-Spanish), Spanish New Mexican, Mediterranean, Balkan, Roma (Gypsy), even Jewish Jazz & Chamber-style Jewish music. Over the years, the group has explored the ways in which Jewish people over the centuries have interacted with surrounding musical traditions to produce music which is unique and uplifting. From Spain to Iraq, Poland to the Mediterranean: The Rebbe's Orkestra plays tunes and songs as widely divergent as the geography and yet with surprisingly similar themes. The band's set for June 16th will include lots of Klezmer dance music (the group's specialty), several songs in Ladino--the ancient language of the Spanish Jews, an Andalusian mushwasha -- an ancient Arabic poem set to music, an Iraqi-Jewish instrumental piece, an Arabic classical instrumental piece, as well as songs in Yiddish, Romany and Greek. Traditional improvisational techniques called doina, taxim, and vorshpiel will be used freely in many of the band's arrangements.

The Rebbe's Orkestra's (pronounced to rhyme with "the Debbie's Orchestra") musicians are: Beth Cohen-violin, mandolin/tenor banjo/vocals; Debo Orlofsky-accordion/vocals; Randy Edmunds-guitar/ Macedonian tambura/vocals; Barbara Friedman-bass/Macedonian tambura/vocals with special guest percussionist Mary Masuk-doumbek and riq.

Beth Cohen is a well known vocalist, string musician and music teacher in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. She has been running her own music studio in Albuquerque since 1983, teaching voice, guitar, violin/fiddle and piano to students of all ages. In 1991, Beth received her Bachelor's of Music degree in voice performance from the University of New Mexico. Since 1995, she has been the musical director and Cantorial soloist at ABQ's Congregation Nahalat Shalom where she also teaches and directs the 20-piece Community Klezmer Band, teaches Bar/Bat Mitzvah prep classes, and organizes the annual renowned Klezmer music and dance festival "Klezmerquerque". Ms. Cohen is the violin/fiddle, piano & voice teacher at Santa Fe School for the Arts and she is an experienced band and orchestra teacher. Beth began singing and accompanying her voice with the guitar when she was 7, studied jazz piano from ages 9-17, and was the recipient of many music awards and apprenticeships throughout her childhood. Growing up in a home where both parents spoke Yiddish, Beth learned to sing in Yiddish--although she has (regrettably!) never learned to speak this expressive language. Since 1996, Beth has performed with bassist Barbara Friedman in Goddess of Arno-Balkan band & from 1984-1999 she was a member of the popular Svirka-women's Balkan chorus. Beth also performs with the vocal trio Earth Angels, the folk trio Village Idioms and she has played in all kinds of ensembles from Celtic to classical & reggae to blues.

Debo Orlofsky is The Rebbe's Orkestra's newest member: 'Debo' (a.k.a. Debra Orlofsky) has been singing in and around ABQ since the late 1980's. Following a few stints in hippie-punk and goth-rock bands, Debo performed as the lead singer of Splinter Fish, a seminal alternative band on the ABQ music scene. Well-known for her powerhouse vocals and presentation, inventive lyrics and percussion, and heart-grabbing harmonizing, Debo was invited to sing with Animal Opera, a local group of "all-stars" that rocked the NM desert with African dance music. She was also part of the world beat rock band, Manna from Nowhere. Debo sings and plays accordion and piano in the rockin' country blues band, Alpha Blue, showcasing her original songs. In her own Big Rock Studio, she engineered and mixed Alpha Blue's debut CD, "Agave Summer" - a spaghetti-western/middle-eastern folk-rock opera - which was released in the summer of 2004. Debo studied classical piano as a child, picking up the accordion by accident. Knowing how little respect the accordion has had in American pop music since the guitar assumed preeminence, she tried to put it down but found it was much too tightly strapped on. After a few close encounters of the Klezmer kind, she found her way to The Rebbe's Orkestra and decided it was destiny.

Randy Edmunds is one of the original members of The Rebbe's Orkestra. He is an experienced rhythm guitarist and provides a unique texture and fullness to the band's harmonic layer. Randy's use of the guitar as a melody instrument lends an unusual flavor to klezmer music, which is often associated with reed and brass instruments. He also plays the Macedonian tambura on several of the group's Sephardic pieces, and his lyric baritone voice adds another thread to the tapestry of sound woven by the band. He studied violin as a child in his home state of Louisiana and later picked up the guitar when he attended college in Texas. Randy's musical roots lie in the American genres of old-timey, gospel, bluegrass and country-western. After discovering and learning some Yiddish folk songs from a song book, he eventually expanded his repertoire to include Israeli, Greek, Rom (Gypsy), and Balkan folk songs. Randy performs in a duo with Beth Cohen, as a guest artist with Svirka and Goddess of Arno, and was a member of Sandanski men's Balkan Chorus. He is the guitarist in the folk trio Village Idioms and he's a special guest artist in The Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer band. Randy also works part-time as a personal care attendant for disabled people.

Barbara Friedman provides the solid foundation for the band's rhythmic drive. For over 25 years she has been singing and playing music professionally as a member of Svirka women's Balkan Chorus, Goddess of Arno, Erenler, Wired for Sound and other Middle Eastern and Balkan groups in New Mexico. An avid collector, student and performer of Eastern European music, Barbara regularly attends workshops and studies with the top musicians and ethnomusicologists from Europe and the USA. In addition to adding rhythmic solidity to the band, her bass playing adds a melodic layer to their sound: often lending a trombone-like quality to the melody line. Barbara is also skilled on the Macedonian tambura, which she plays on some of the band's Sephardic pieces and her powerful voice adds another layer to the band's dynamic sound. At Congregation Nahalat Shalom, Barbara performs in Alavados-Holy Days band and she is a special guest member of the Community klezmer band. She also works part time as a public health nurse in Albuquerque, NM.

For more information about the band contact:
Beth A. Cohen at (505)243-6276, cohenedmunds@netzero.net
Web: http://www.isound.com/mp3s/rebbes_orkestra_klezmer_and_judaic_band
and
http://arnoproductionsnm.com/indexhtm
For information about Winning Coffee (venue) call: (505)266-0000

Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale in Merkin Hall

On Sunday, May 20, at 8:00 pm, Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale will present its annual concert at
Merkin Concert Hall,
129 West 67th Street,
New York.
The eclectic program features works by composers from the Renaissance to the present day, including Salomone Rossi, Aharon Harlap, Max Wohlberg, David Burger, Robert Applebaum, Robert Solomon, and Joshua Jacobson.

Tickets are $23 (preferred seating), $19 (general admission) and $16 (seniors/students). For further information, contact Benjamin Gruder, Choral Director, at beninabox@juno.com or Merkin Concert Hall (212-501-3330).

Yuval Ron Ensemble Embarks on Peace Tour

The Yuval Ron Ensemble is embarking on a concert tour for peace in November, centered around the International Music Festival in Jerusalem, plus a second conert in the Jewish-Arabic community center Beit Hagefen in Haifa. For more details read their letter...
Dear friends,
This is the time to register for the amazing exclusive peace mission tour we are taking on this coming November 2007. Space is limited! Itinerary, Terms and registration forms are at: http://www.yuvalronmusic.com/home.html?text/calendar.html~mainFrame Please read details below:

This is an extraordinary Tour the Yuval Ron Ensemble is embarking on, centering around a landmark concert for peace in the International Music Festival in Jerusalem plus a second concert in the Jewish- Arabic community center Beit Hagefen in Haifa. We have extended this concert tour into two weeks of explorations and exclusive cultural experiences in Israel plus meetings with local Peace Makers who work to bring Jewish and Arabic artists together.

I would like to invite you to come along to this adventure! From the Bedouin tribes in the Negev desert, the sacred sites in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, to an exclusive ritual on Mt. Masada and to the historic Kabalistic center of Safed - THIS TRIP WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFE TIME!

The tour is organized by one of the leading tour company in Israel (Target Conferences Ltd) and the guide, Ze'ev Back is one of the best and most experienced tour guides in the country.

For more info and to see the day to day activities, Please go to: http://www.yuvalronmusic.com/home.html?text/calendar.html~mainFrame

Please let me know if you would like to join us or if you have any questions about the trip.

SPACE IS LIMITED and there is a lot of interest already! So please, please, please, if you are interested please email us to receive the registration form ASAP and to reserve the space for this Exclusive Tour to the Holy Land - A Peace Mission to Israel with The Yuval Ron Ensemble.

Best wishes for Health, Peace and prosperity.

Yuval Ron

www.yuvalronmusic.com
www.myspace.com/yuvalronensemble
www.myspace.com/yuvalron

Zamir Chorale Honors Cantor Jeff Klepper in Cambridge, MA

The Spring concert of the Zamir Chorale is honoring Cantor Jeff Klepper.
Sunday, June 3, 2007, 8:00 p.m., Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA

On June 3 the Zamir Chorale of Boston will celebrate its 38th year of performing inspirational Jewish music by honoring Cantor Jeff Klepper at its annual spring concert at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge at 8:00 p.m. For information about tickets:
http://www.zamir.org/ShalomRav

Zamir will share the stage with Cantor Klepper and Rabbi Daniel Freelander of Kol B’Seder for both a rousing and reflective concert featuring the beloved “Shalom Rav” (Abundant Peace.)

Cantor Klepper has strong Boston roots and even sang with Zamir in 1973. He has very fond memories of that time:
"I sang with Zamir for one precious year; it brought great joy into my life. By the time I left Boston to begin my cantorial studies, Zamir's music had seeped into my heart and soul. I know that Zamir's music made me a better song-leader, a better Jewish composer, and ultimately, a better cantor. "

Zamir invites the public to participate in honoring Jeff. His enthusiasm for and commitment to Jewish music have inspired many young people and enthralled audiences world wide.

John Zorn and the Future of Jewish Music Lecture

The Judaica Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University's S.E. Wimberly Library on the Boca Raton campus, invites you to join librarian Daniel Scheide, who will present a lecture titled "John Zorn and the Future of Jewish Music," on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 from 7 to 8 p.m.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 29, 2007, from 7 to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Paul C. Wimbish Wing of the S.E. Wimberly Library
Mildred & Abner Levine and Ruth & Saul Weinberger Jewish Life Center
Hillel Golden Pavilion
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

COST:*Free and open to the public
CONTACT: Judaica Sound Archives at FAU Libraries at 561-297-0080