I recently composed a setting of V’sham’ru for my congregation. It’s a call and response and you can have your community singing it without much teaching at all! And I want to share it with you for free!
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Music
Sholem Aleichem dir, Amerike!
I'm really looking forward to singing with the Jewish People's Philharmonic Chorus in their production of Sholem Aleichem dir, Amerike! The 1956 Birnbaum/Rauch operetta, is based on Sholom Aleichem's Motl, Peyse dem khazns ("Motl, Peyse the Cantors' Son"), and was...
I’m dreaming of a white… Hanukkah?
One of the most famous of Christmas songs is by a Jewish composer: Irving Berlin. I don't care what face tradition you grew up with; White Christmas is a terrific song and it makes me think of the season. But where are all the great Hanukkah songs? Where is the Jewish...
Shabbat Shirah 2010
The Psalmist wrote: "Shiru Ladonai Shir Khadash."—“Sing unto God a New Song.” This evening, we have experienced new songs and new expressions to words we say week in and week out. We change the music of our prayers not because the words of our prayerbook change. It is...
My vision of the Modern Reform Cantorate
Recently, I traveled with our synagogue’s Confirmation Class to Washington D.C. for our annual trip to the Religious Action Center (R.A.C.). During the trip, there were three interesting experiences I had: The first came during a welcome speech given by one of the...
How to choose a good voice teacher or vocal coach
I have been studying voice for almost twenty years. Fortunately, I've been blessed with some good, strong voice teachers. I've also studied with some not so good ones who held me back from my full potential. Along the way, I have worked with about ten voice teachers,...