USDAN CENTER STUDENTS TO PRESENT UNIQUE GALA PERFORMANCE OF ERNEST BLOCH'S SACRED SERVICE ON AUGUST 4TH.

CONCERT WILL HONOR BLOCH 50 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH.
CONDUCTOR AND SOLOIST ARE LEADING YOUNG ARTISTS.

On Wednesday evening, August 4th, Usdan Center students will present a historic performance of one of Ernest Bloch's greatest works, his Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh) for orchestra, chorus, and baritone soloist. Sacred Service has rarely been presented by young people, and its performance on August 4th will be an artistic point of pride for Usdan, and for its partner organization, UJA-Federation of New York.

Usdan's senior orchestra and chorus will close the Center's August 4th Gala Concert with two parts of Sacred Service. The ensembles, composed of high school-aged music students, will be conducted by Adam Glaser, a Usdan Center alumnus, and the conductor of Juilliard's top Pre-College orchestra. The critically acclaimed young baritone, Jesse Blumberg, will perform the cantor's role in Usdan's performance. Usdan's chorus will be prepared by Karen Lehman, conductor of the Center's senior choral ensembles

Musicians throughout the United States are honoring Bloch in 2010, the 50th anniversary of his death. Sacred Service was commissioned by San Francisco's Congregation Emanu-El, and it was premiered there in 1934. Usdan's Gala will conclude with the dramatic scene that Bloch most loved. It is the moment when the Torah is taken from its ark, and presented to the congregation as the chorus sings "Torah tzivoh." Bloch considered this part of his piece to be the embodiment of his personal journey of reunion with Judaism.

Usdan's Executive Director, Dale Lewis, recently spoke of the significance of the Center's August performance: "Sacred Service was a watershed composition for Bloch, one that ignited his transition from a classical style of composition, to one that was deeply religious. As we look back on 50 years of musical history since Bloch's death, we now see his pieces as among the most significant examples of Jewish art produced in the United States. The Center's conductors look forward to introducing Bloch's music to our students, and to presenting a major work of historic and religious significance to our community." A former concert cellist, Lewis has performed the composer's entire repertory for the cello, including Schelomo, the Hebrew rhapsody for cello and orchestra that is among the most important concertos for the instrument. Lewis's performances of Bloch's Jewish Life suite were accompanied by the celebrated American composer, Yehudi Wyner, and his Carnegie Recital Hall debut, as winner of the New York Violin Teachers Guild competition, included a performance of Bloch's Supplication for cello.

For more information, visit www.usdan.com , write to info@usdan.com , or call (212) 772-6060 or (631) 643-7900. Usdan Center is an agency of the UJA-Federation of New York.The Center is on a 200-acre woodland setting at 185 Colonial Springs Road in Huntington. The acclaimed young American conductor Adam Glaser is now in his ninth season on the faculty of the Juilliard School, where he conducts Juilliard's Pre-College Orchestra in regular concerts at New York's Lincoln Center. Mr. Glaser was awarded the American-Austrian Foundation's prestigious Karajan Fellowship for Young Conductors, which sponsored his residence at the Salzburg Festival and the Internationales Orchesterinstitut Attergau in St. Georgen, Austria.

An active composer, Mr. Glaser has enjoyed performances of his works by 19 major orchestras throughout the U.S. and Canada including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, along with the orchestras of Victoria, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Illinois, Long Island, Richmond, South Bend, and Naples, and various college orchestras including the University of Michigan, Stanford University and Cornell University. His choral conducting engagements include appearances at the Oregon Bach Festival, and performances of his choral compositions and arrangements include those by choirs of the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Kol HaKavod, a vocal ensemble dedicated to the performance of Jewish music. He has appeared as a guest conductor of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony (B.C.), and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Glaser earned a diploma in orchestral conducting from the Curtis Institute of Music, a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School Pre-College Division in composition, and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in English, Afro-American Studies and Music. Additional studies include piano performance at the Oberlin Conservatory, and composition at the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division.

Usdan's baritone soloist for Sacred Service will be Jesse Blumberg, an artist equally at home on opera, concert, and recital stages. He has appeared at The Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Ravinia Festival, and is the founder and artistic director of the Five Boroughs Music Festival. He has created roles in new operas produced by the Minnesota Opera and the Utah Symphony, and he performed the title role of Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses to His Homeland, after which the Baltimore Sun raved, "Jesse Blumberg commanded the stage, physically and vocally. His virile baritone grabbed the melodic lines with remarkable dynamic force, lighting up the hall with his every appearance." In 2008 Jesse sang John Brooke in Little Women with Opera Delaware and reprised his role in The Grapes of Wrath with Pittsburgh Opera. In 2009 he performed Silvio in Pagliacci with Annapolis Opera and then debuted with the Boston Early Music Festival, as Mercurio in L'incoronazione di Poppea and Adonis in Venus and Adonis.

In concert, Jesse Blumberg has performed with American Bach Soloists, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Sacred Music in a Sacred Space, Berkshire Choral Festival, Handel Choir of Baltimore, and the Waverly Consort. In 2005 he joined the Mark Morris Dance Group for a tour of the United Kingdom, and in 2007 he sang performances of Carmina Burana with the Pennsylvania Ballet at New York's City Center. As a chamber musician, Jesse has collaborated with the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players and the Ensemble for the Romantic Century. He has premieres two important chamber works for baritone: Lisa Bielawa's The Lay of the Love and Death at Alice Tully Hall in 2006, and Ricky Ian Gordon's Green Sneakers (with the Miami String Quartet) at the Vail Valley Festival in 2008. In 2006 he and pianist Thomas Bagwell gave a recital of Wolf Lieder, which the Washington Post described as "no less than revelatory." Also that year he and pianist Martin Katz presented an On Wings of Song recital for the Marilyn Horne Foundation, which has since been heard on various radio broadcasts nationwide.

In 2007 Jesse Blumberg was awarded first prize in the National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Auditions, and in 2006 took second prize in the Lieder Division of the Liederkranz Foundation Awards. He has been recognized by Opera Index, Inc. and the Marian Anderson Prize for Emerging Classical Artists. In 2004 he was named a first place winner in the Art Song category of the Joyce Dutka Arts Foundation Vocal Competition. In 2003 Blumberg was awarded third place at the 10th International Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria, and in 2002 he won first place in the 2nd International Yrjš Kilpinen Art Song Competition. He received a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music and undergraduate degrees in History and Music from the University of Michigan.

Usdan Center, now entering its 43rd season, has introduced the arts to more than 50,000 Tri-State Area children since its founding in 1968. The Center, on a 200-acre woodland setting at 185 Colonial Springs Road in Huntington, is open to all young people from age 6 to 18. No audition is needed for most programs - rather, admission is based on an expression of interest in the arts. Each summer, 1,500 students are transported to the Center in air-conditioned buses every day. One-third of Usdan's students attend on scholarship. Although the mission of the Center is for every child to establish a relationship with the arts, the unique stimulation of the Center has caused many to go on to arts careers. Alumni include singers Jane Monheit and Mariah Carey, actresses Natalie Portman and Lisa Gay Hamilton, and members of major music, theater, and dance ensembles, such as the New York, Boston, and Los Angeles orchestras, to the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theater.

The 2010 season of Usdan Center opens on June 28, and continues through August 13. For information on applying for participation in the Center's program in Organic Gardening and Simple Food, or for more information about other programs at Usdan Center, visit www.usdan.com , write to info@usdan.com , or call (212) 772-6060 or (631) 643-7900. Usdan Center is an agency of the UJA-Federation of New York.

Posted by jmwc at 11:48 AM

AN EVENING WITH THEODORE BIKEL AND TAMARA BROOKS June 8

The Austrian cultural Forum New York Presents:
SONGS: AN EVENING WITH THEODORE BIKEL AND TAMARA BROOKS
June 8, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. / Austrian Cultural Forum New York

The Austrian Cultural Forum takes special pride in presenting a unique event: the Austrian-born world-famous singer and actor Theodore Bikel will appear in the Austrian Cultural Forum and treat us to his distinctive style of folk music. The gifted musician s repertoire includes songs from all over the world Yiddish, German, Russian, English, French, Croatian he speaks six languages and sings in twenty. His accompanist is the pianist and conductor Tamara Brooks, who has an impressive career in her own right. By combining their talents, Bikel and Brooks promise us an unforgettable evening in the fine theatre of the ACFNY, 11 East 52nd Street, NY, NY 10022.

Admission is free, reservations required. (http://www.acfny.org/events/events-single/event/257).

June in London

some Jewish music events of interest in London are:
Saturday 12 June
4-5pm
Hopkele Klezmer Keilidh
Bermondsey Carnival, Southwark Park, London
Join us for revelry in the dance tent as part of the day's festivities at this free event. More information:
http://www.southwark.gov.uk/events/event/196/
Getting there:
* Bus: 1, 47, 78, 188, 255, 381, C10, P12
* Tube: Canada Water, Bermondsey
* Rail: South Bermondsey, Surrey Quays


Sunday 13 June
2-5pm
Klezmer workshop in Cambridge
The Hut, Fletcher's Terrace, Cambridge

Back by popular demand! Similar to previous workshops with Ilana Cravitz, there will be a chance to learn a tune and some accompaniment, and look at some of the modes and style elements that make Klezmer so haunting and joyful. Tickets £15 for the 3-hour workshop (includes tea and biscuits!).
Book in advance by emailing klezmerworkshop@benorganizzato.com


Sunday 13 June
6.30pm

Sunday 27 June
3pm
Flamenco Con Tres
The Cross Kings, 126 York Way, London N1 0AX

Steve Homes and Jeff Rodrigues (guitars) play a programme of flamenco-inspired original works and a sprinkling of Judeo-Spanish favourites, with Ilana Cravitz on violin.
Tickets £5

Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale

The Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Center presents:
Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale
Benjamin Gruder, Conductor
Sunday, June 13, at 8:00 pm
Merkin Concert Hall
http://kaufman-center.org/
129 West 67th Street, New York
212-501-3330

With a repertoire spanning continents and centuries, featured composers include: Giuseppe Verdi, Salomone Rossi, Yehezkel Braun, Zavel Zilberts and David Broza
Tickets: $24 preferred seating, $21 general admission, $17 students/seniors
Merkin Hall www.merkinconcerthall.org

Jewish Music Competition - 28-31 October 2010

Competition '10: register until July 1st

Amsterdam's IJMF will once again host the world's only Jewish Music Competition: October 28-31, 2010. Information is online at www.ijmf.org http://www.ijmf.org/?utm_content=pinnolis@jmwc.org&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Text%20Version%20-%20Link%202&utm_campaign=Jewish%20Music%20Competition%3A%20register%20till%20July%201stcontent - and registration is open until July 1st. The selected ensembles will be announced in August. Pass it on to your favorite Jewish music ensemble: this is an opportunity not to be missed!

Showcase for Presenters What's the best way to get the attention of Jewish music presenters in Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto, Utrecht, and Washington DC? Join our competition and present yourself to the growing list of festivals that will be scouting our 24 selected ensembles via our site and/or in person at the competition: and more presenters are affiliating every week!

Adrienne Cooper joins jury
Around the world, Adrienne Cooper innovates and inspires: performing on concert, theater, and club stages, leading master classes in Yiddish song and lecturing about East European Jewish history and culture. Featured on more than twenty recordings as well as on film, TV and radio, her voice has shaped the revival of klezmer, defining a wholly original interpretation of Yiddish song, with colleagues such as The Klezmatics, Mikveh, Zalmen Mlotek, David Krakauer, The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, and many others.

Cooper has mentored a generation of new Jewish musicians in master classes and workshops in Germany, Holland, England, Canada, Russia, the Ukraine and throughout the U.S.A. and has been a pioneering leader with organizations including the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, the Columbia University/YIVO Summer Yiddish Language Program and Klezcamp. Recognized with various awards and grants, she is also the recipient of Klez Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Yiddish Arts and Culture.

IJMF is thrilled that Adrienne Cooper will join our expert jury and will give a master class and workshop following the competition.

Labels & Agents: scouting for talent Representatives from recording labels Universal, Pan Records, and Music&Words scouted at IJMF 2008, resulting in several recording contracts. They’ll be back looking for more talent at IJMF 2010. Joining them this year will be Moishe Rosenfeld, owner of the leading New York Agency Golden Land Concerts, who will be offering two winning ensembles with representation for the coming year.

Thanks to our sponsors and partners:

American Embassy in the Netherlands
Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst
Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity
Conservatory of Amsterdam
Crescas
Jewish Historical Museum
Lexhanna Foundation
Levi Lassen Funds
Maror
NH Hotels
Oosterdok Parking
Partners in Culture
Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds
Paula Salomon-Lindberg Foundation
SNS Reaal Fonds
M. Sypkens
TimeOut Amsterdam
United States Consulate
Vertical Response
VSBfonds

Thanks also to our advisory board:

Michael Dorf (New York)
Sandra Gibson (Washington D.C)
Bob Goldfarb (Los Angeles/Jerusalem)
Dubi Lenz (Tel Aviv)
Lenore D. Naxon (San Francisco)
Moishe Rosenfeld (New York)
Eric Stein (Toronto)
IJMF is a member of The International Jewish Presenters Association

The Golden Door: Jewish Music with American Accent in Boston

Koleinu, the Jewish Community Chorus of Boston is having a concert on Thursday, June 10 at 8pm at Temple Emeth in Chestnut Hill, MA. Cantor Gaston Bogomolni and Cantor Lousie Treitman will be the soloists. Carol Marton will direct. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. go to www.koleinu.org or call 617-559-8649 to get more information or order tickets.