Festival of Choirs, NYC, Dec 9, 2007
CHOIRS AND CANTORS LIGHT ONE CANDLE THIS CHANUKAH
Over 200 adults and children will celebrate Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, in concert, 3 P.M., Sunday, December 9, 2007 as Congregation Rodeph Sholom of Manhattan hosts its unique, multigenerational Festival of Choirs. The eighth annual concert will feature cantors and their volunteer adult and children’s choirs from all over the New York metropolitan area. This year, the first night of Chanukah is Friday, December 4, 2007.
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.
“Chanukah is a wonderful time to bring together in song the young and young-at-heart,” according to Congregation Rodeph Sholom’s Senior Cantor, Rebecca Garfein. “We are proud to present the eighth annual Festival of Choirs to the New York community.”
Highlights of the concert will include a 100-voiced combined children’s choir singing Peter Yarrow’s song (of Peter Paul and Mary fame),“Light One Candle,” and “Raise up the Menorah” written by Rodeph Sholom congregant, Eliot Bailen and students from the Rodeph Sholom Day School and Religious School. For the first time in the festival’s history, HaZamir, the International High School Choir, will participate. 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.
Cantor Garfein will be joined in concert by Rodeph Sholom’s Assistant Cantor, Shayna Peavey and Cantorial-Intern Jennifer Strauss-Klein. Also participating in the concert will be Cantor Todd Kipnis and Cantorial-Intern, Donna Mashadi, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Manhattan; Cantor Daniel Singer, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, Manhattan; Cantor Janet Leuchter and Music Director, Rose Moskowitz, Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, NY;
Accompanying the cantors and choirs will be acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger, Jonathan Faiman. Joining Mr. Faiman will be the “Festival of Choirs” combo: John Hadfield, percussion, Dror Ben-Gur, winds, and Daniel Freeman, bass guitar.