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| 2010-11 Mary Wolfman Epstein Conducting Fellowships Awarded |
Zamir Chorale members Devin Lawrence (bass) and Betty Bauman (soprano) have been awarded the Mary Wolfman Epstein Conducting Fellowships for the 2010-11 season. The Fellowship was established in September 2000 by Scott Offen to train conductors in the area of Jewish choral music. We're looking forward to working with and learning from these two terrific musicians, whom we will profile in our fall issue.
Our outgoing intern, Lidiya Yankovskaya, has contributed her marvelous vocal and conducting skills to the Chorale this past year. Lidiya has just received her master's degree in choral conducting from Boston University and will be married this August to Daniel Schwartz. Mazal tov and thank you! About her MWE experience, Lidiya wrote to Joshua Jacobson:
"I have encountered a wealth of repertoire, written by Jewish composers throughout the ages. Most of the works have been ignored by history mainly due to their creator's ethnic or religious background.... We cannot allow this music to be lost in history due to prejudice and narrow-mindedness.... I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to you and to those individuals who make the Mary Wolfman Epstein Internship possible. You have opened my eyes to a new musical world and have allowed me to learn, enjoy, and participate in bringing this music to life first-hand."
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2010-11 Auditions
| If you are an experienced singer with a strong choral background, consider joining the Zamir Chorale of Boston! All voice parts welcome. Auditions for the 2010-11 season will be held on
Sunday, September 26, 7:00 - 10:00 pm, at Hebrew College, 160 Herrick Road, Newton Centre.
Prospective members will attend Open Rehearsals on Tuesday, September 14 and 21. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 7:15 to 10:00 pm. Additional details will be posted on the Zamir website in July.
To schedule an audition, contact manager@zamir.org.
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| New Board Officers Elected for 2010-11 | |
Bruce Creditor, of Sharon, longtime board member of Zamir, was elected to serve as Chair of the Board, succeeding Alan Teperow, who served the past six years. Tep will continue to serve as Chair of the Alumni Relations Committee.
Other officers elected at the June 7 Annual Meeting were: Dan Bauman, Vice-Chair, and
Jeff Rosenberg, Treasurer.
The following Board members were elected for the 2010-11 season:Joyce BohnenNancy FinnPeter FinnPhyllis HammerSuzanne HanserJosh JacobsonDeborah MelkinSusan RubinLarry Sandberg
Zvi Sesling Robert SnyderAlan TeperowJon TepperThe Zamir Board expressed its appreciation to Rachel Goldstein, who stepped down after six years of service. |
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Dear Friends of Zamir,
It's been said before: "Summertime, and the livin' is easy." This year, the famous Gershwin lyric takes on new meaning following our thrilling JaZZamir concert at Sanders Theatre on June 6. If you weren't able to be there, we'll fill you in on all the swingin' action--and the rest of the season's news--plus a sneak peek at the 2010-11 season. We hope you have an easy, productive, and musical summer. |
| JAZZAMIR | | | JaZZamir Lights Up Sanders Theatre
Mother Nature took a break from yet another lightning show for a few hours on June 6. But inside Sanders Theatre, Zamir generated its own electricity at the JaZZamir season finale, complemented by a slate of stellar instrumentalists and dancers, four distinguished honorees, and an enthusiastic audience.
 From the opening strains of Gershwin's "Summertime," sung hauntingly by Zamir's president Susan Rubin, the concert represented a wide range of jazz from Israel, the Yiddish theater, the Broadway stage, and the synagogue. The Chorale was joined by a spectacular band, including world-renowned artists Hankus Netsky, piano; Amir Milstein, flute; Ted Casher, clarinet and sax; Taki Masuko, percussion; and Chris Rathbun, bass; along with Zamir accompanist Ed Swanborn on piano.  Choreographer Gabrielle Orcha and her dance troupe added a riveting and joyful element to the concert with their dances that accompanied songs such as "Yiddisha Charleston"; and "Venezuela," which also featured Zamir bass Rich Lustig, sombrero and all.
Zamir was joined by guest baritone Ron Williams and tenor David Burns for a thrilling performance of "Shout Unto the Lord," from Dave Brubeck's Gates of Justice. Other highlights included world-famous violinist Daniel Stepner flirting with soloist Lidiya Yankovskaya in "Oy Mame, Bin Ikh Farlibt"; Hal Katzman's  bluesy turn in Kurt Weill's "Kiddush"; and our own Andrews Sisters (Susan Rubin, Deborah Melkin, Debbie West) decked out in 1940's garb for "Ba Mir Bistu Sheyn." "I greatly enjoyed performing with Zamir," said Dan Stepner. "Josh does wonderful programs; this one was particularly colorful.... The chorus has grown in clarity and agility over the years and has a wonderful spirit, as always."
Honorees Nancy and Peter Finn, Alan Teperow and Dr. Suzanne Hanser, were greeted by Zamir's Managing Director Barbara Gaffin in a touching tribute recognizing their incomparable service to the Zamir community. Thanks for all the time and energy and love that you have given us for many, many years. And thanks to our cosponsors, the Consulate General of Israel to New England, Berklee College of Music, and Hebrew College.
"The powerful vocal harmonies and solos...combined with fascinating jazz arrangements to tunes from a diverse musical repertoire, created a magical evening," said guest flutist Amir Milstein.
PicPppppIType caption text here. | And perhaps Ted Casher summed up JaZZamir best in an email following the event: "What a combination of jazz, traditional Yiddish-inflected swing, and contemporary compositions! Every time I play with Zamir, it is a great musical experience for me! And if my late mother hears me, all the way up in Paradise, she may forgive me for not becoming a doctor!"
Missed JaZZamir or want to relive the experience? Check us out on YouTube!
Pictured (above right): Alan Teperow, Suzanne Hanser, Josh Jacobson, Nancy Finn, Peter Finn, Barbara Gaffin
Photos by Mickey Goldin |
| HOT OFF THE PRESS! | |
Professor Jacobson to Present Paper in Germany
On July 12, Artistic Director Joshua Jacobson will present a paper at the International Academic Conference at the University of Potsdam in Potsdam, Germany, entitled "Whose Chanukah? Zionists Spinning Maccabee Songs," which discusses the secularization and
nationalization of twentieth-century Chanukah songs, as well as the appropriation of the Maccabees into early Zionist anthems. Maestro Jacobson will speak as part of the conference on "Jüdische Musik als Dialog der Kulturen und ihre Vermittlungsdimensionen" (Jewish Music as a Dialogue of Cultures and Its Aspects of Mediation). The conference is being co-sponsored by the Abraham Geiger College of Jewish Studies. "How amazing to see a conference on Jewish music in Germany," Jacobson says. "It's a sign of the amazing rebirth of Jewish culture and religion in that country since the Second World War."
In addition to conducting the Zamir Chorale and the Northeastern University choruses, and teaching at NU and Hebrew College, Jacobson has had a busy spring. He taught and guest conducted for the choral department at the Rhode Island College in March, and for the choral department at the University of Colorado in Boulder. On June 18, he was a guest faculty member at the Brandeis Israel Studies Institute. This summer, following his return from Israel and Germany, Jacobson will guest conduct and teach at the Berkshire Institute for Music and Art from July 21 to 23; then head to Kerhonkson, N.Y., to meet up with Zamir at the North American Jewish Choral Festival, where he will teach and guest conduct from July 25 to 29.
"I especially enjoy bringing Jewish choral music to schools and other venues where it hasn't been heard before," says Jacobson about his busy travel schedule. "This is an important component of Zamir's mission to enhance appreciation of Jewish culture and strengthen Jewish identity by heightening awareness of the variety and quality of Jewish music. I delight in seeing our repertoire coming out of the exclusively Jewish box and being performed by school choirs, community choruses, and even church choirs."
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| SPRING ROUNDUP | | Walking (and Singing) for Music and the Arts
If you heard the boppin' beat of "I Got Rhythm" coming from the Fens area in Boston on May 23, that might've been us! Thanks to the many hearty Zamirniks and family members wh o came out on a sultry-hot afternoon to participate in this year's Walk for Music and Arts. The Walk, now in its seventh year, is a community fundraiser that supports programs in Greater Boston, with 100 percent of the proceeds going straight to each music or arts organization. Thanks to our sponsors for your donations to help keep music alive in our community!
Zamir Joins Accompanist Ed Swanborn on the South Shore
On a bright and sunny Sunday, May 16, Zamir performed at the First Parish Church Unitarian  Universalist in Duxbury, Mass., where our longtime (and fabulous) accompanist, Edwin Swanborn (pictured), is Music Director. Among the highlights, Cantor Charles Osborne sang "Kedushah" from Bloch's Sacred Service, and the UU choir joined Zamir for Cantor Osborne's "Samachti" and Janowski's "Sim Shalom."
Wayland Welcomes Zamir Chamber Chorus
Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland was packed on Sunday, May 2, when the Zamir Chamber Chorus teamed up with the Jazz Tuber Trio, featuring Eli Newberger, tuba; Jimmy Mazzy, banjo; and Ted Casher, clarinet and sax. Thanks go out to Robert Snyder, our newest board member, who arranged for this special concert honoring the memory of his brother. Snyder played piano for his own composition, accompanying soloist Cantor Hollis Schachner.
Klarman Family Hosts Upbeat Soirée
Approximately 60 people at tended a fundraising soirée at the beautiful home of Seth and Beth Klarman on May 5. In addition to a sneak preview of the JaZZamir concert, a chamber group from Zamir performed three of 17-year-old composer Jeremiah Klarman's pieces, including "Rom'mu," "God Full of Love," and the premiere of "Hodu," with Jeremiah on the piano.
"One of the wonderful things about Zamir Chorale is that all of the members clearly love what they do; their passion and dedication to music clearly shines through all of their performances," says Jeremiah about Zamir. "I've been privileged to accompany them and compose music for them and experience the joy that they express through their performances. All of them add their souls to the music and the result is entirely their own. Whether it is the early music of Rossi or a piece I've written for them, it is impossible not to feel the joy and spiritual uplift of their music."
A silent auction helped raise funds for Zamir's many musical and educational endeavors. A special thanks to hostess Beth Klarman, who shared heartfelt and inspiring thoughts about the importance of supporting Jewish choral music.
Pictured: Jeremiah Klarman
Zamir Honors Donors at Israel Consul General's Home
The chamber group also performed on  May 26 at "A Taste of JaZZamir," an event to express our deep appreciation to our generous donors, held at Israel's Consul General Nadav Tamir's home. Flutist Amir Milstein joined the Chamber Chorus for lively excerpts from the  spring concert. In addition to the music, guests were treated to a spectacular lightning show and view of Greater Boston from the windows of the high-rise.
Pictured above: Zamir Chamber Chorus
Pictured left: Amir Milstein
Photos by Mickey Goldin |
UPCOMING CONCERTS
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NAJCF, Here We Come!
On Sunday, July 25, Zamir will perform as part of the opening-night festivities of the 21st Annual North American Jewish Choral Festival at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, N.Y. We are always honored to sing in the company of professionals and amateurs from all over the country who love Jewish choral music. For more information, go to www.zamirfdn.org.
2010-11 Season Preview
Our 42nd season calendar is fast filling up! Stay tuned for details, but for now, be sure to save these dates! Please check our website at www.zamir.org for updates over the summer.
Sunday, October 17: A joint program of Psalms, sponsored by Boston's Emmanuel Center, featuring Zamir as well as the Spectrum Singers, John Ehrlich, conductor; and the Orpheus Singers, James Olesen, conductor.
Saturday & Sunday, November 20 & 21: Joint concert with the 200+-member Mystic Chorale, directed by Nick Page.
Sunday, December 5: Fifth Annual Open Sing, this year featuring favorite choruses from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus and the first three movements of Bloch's Sacred Service.
Thursday, December 23: Hanukkah Happens XXI at Temple Emanuel, featuring a tribute to composer Leonard Bernstein.
Sunday, March 13, 2011: Joint concert at Sanders Theatre, with the Brookline Chorus, Lisa Graham, conductor. This concert is co-sponsored by the Boston Jewish Music Festival.
Sunday, April 10: Zamir returns to Sanders Theatre, along with the Northeastern University Chamber Chorus, for the premiere performance of a choral symphony dedicated to Middle Eastern harmonies, composed by Mohammed Fairouz. This concert is co-sponsored by Northeastern University.
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KEEP IN TOUCH!
| | As always, let us know what you're up to--we love hearing from our friends near and far.
Barbara Gaffin
Managing Director
Deborah Sosin
Editor, E-Notes |
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