COURSES

Jewish song school – with Hilda Bronstein (Yiddish) and Monica Acosta (Ladino).  Thursday evenings at Central (United) Synagogue, London W1 from 16 October and Tuesday evenings at Edgware Reform Synagogue from 28 October.  More info from the Jewish Music Institute at http://www.jmi.org.uk

What makes ‘Jewish’ music Jewish?  - with Ruth Rosenfelder.  Monday afternoons 2pm to 3.30pm from 27 October to 15 December (one-term course).  £105.  At London Jewish Cultural Centre, Ivy House, 94-96 North End Road, NW11 7SX.  Call 020 8457 5000.   http://www.ljcc.org.uk

AUGUST

Sun 3, 11am – Brunch and concert with American Cantor Jeff Klepper at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, 54 Hutton Grove,  Finchley N12 8DR.  To book call 020 8446 4063.  (P)  http://www.jeffklepper.com

10 – 17  Klez Fest:  music, song and dance.  At West London (Reform) Synagogue, 33 Seymour Place W1H 6AT  – more info from the Jewish Music Institute, telephone 020 8909 2445, email info@jmi.org.uk (C )      http://www.jmi.org.uk

Mon 18, 8pm – Klezmer concert with the Merlin Shepherd Umptet and featuring AndraLamoussia from Israel and Nachas from Czech Republic.  At Richmond (United) Synagogue, Lichfield Gardens, Richmond TW9 1AP.  Tickets £12 from synagogue office 020 8940 3526.  (P)

Wed 13, 8pm, doors open 7.30pm – Klezmer Klimax concert – an evening of music, song and dance featuring top Klezmer celebrities.  At West London (Reform) Synagogue, Upper Berkeley Street, W1H 5QE.  Tickets £17.50 from http:\\www.ticketweb.com  telephone 08700 600100    (P)

 http://www.jmi.org.uk/ashkenazimusic/events/08_klezfest_klezmerklimaxConcert.htm

Fri 15, 6.30pm – Shabbat Resouled: A musical Erev Shabbat service.  With Rabbi Neil Janes at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley N12 8DR.  Telephone 020 8446 4063.  http://www.shabbatresouled.org  (S)

17 – 22: Ot Azoy crash course in Yiddish including Yiddish songs with Shura Lipovsky.  More info from Jewish Music Institute, telephone 020 8909 2445, email info@jmi.org.uk (C )      http://www.jmi.org.uk

Sun 17, 7.30pm - Shir B’Yachad Jewish Song Group. Learn and share Jewish songs in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Entry £3.  Details from Diane 020 8905 9093, diane@major7th.com  (C )

SEPTEMBER

Fri 5, 6.45pm – Special musical erev Shabbat service with singer/songwriter/teacher Judith Silver, followed by chavurah and talk.  At Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St Johns Wood Road NW8 7HA. Tel 020 7286 5181  http://www.ljs.org  http://www.judithsilver.com   (S/L)

Sun 7 – European Day of Jewish culture with music as the theme.  Music events taking place:

11.15am to 11.45am – At South West Essex Reform Synagogue, Oaks Lane, Newbury Park, Ilford, Essex IG2 7PL.  Liturgical concert of Hebrew, Yiddish, Italian, English songs.  Plus other activities until 4pm.  For more info call Cheryll Gardiner 020 8599 0936.  (F)

11.30am to 3pm – At North Western Reform Synagogue, Alyth Gardens NW11 7EN.  Tour of synagogue, bagel lunch and concert of Jewish choral works past and present.  More info from Viv Bellos 07956 912 567.   http://www.alyth.org.uk (F)

12 noon to 3pm – At Stepney Day Centre, 2-8 Beaumont Grove E1 4NQ. Reception, lunch & concert ‘The Art of Jewish Song’. £20 or £25 with coach. Tickets from Joyce Saffron 020 7435 9121.  (P)

2.30pm to 5.30pm – At the Holocaust Survivors Centre, Corner Church Road & Parson Street, Hendon NW4 1QA.  Refugee Bella Kerridge leads The Topaz Singers on a musical journey through her life and Yiddish speaking 20th century Europe.  (P)

7.30pm - At Edgware Reform Synagogue, 118 Stonegrove,  Edgware, Middx HA8 8AB.  Rhythm and Roots: A glorious celebration of Ashkenazi and Judeo-Spanish Music with Hilda Bronstein, the Merlin Shepherd Klezmer Quartet and Monica Acosta accompanied by Flamenco Guitarist Stephen Holmes.  Tickets £10, under 12s free, tickets from 020 8238 1000 or email hilda@chiribim.com  (F)

http://www.chiribim.com    http://www.merlinshepherd.co.uk    http://www.monicaacosta.com

Thurs 11, 7pm – The Spirit of  Klezmer - Traditional Klezmer music and Yiddish song from Hilda Bronstein (voice), IIana Cravitz (violin) and James Siverly (accordion).  Buffet from 7pm, music 8pm. At Francesca's Kosher Italian Restaurant & Espresso Bar, next to King Solomon Hotel, 155/9 Golders Green Road NW11 9BX. £20 entry – to book call 020 8201 9005.  (P)

Fri 12, 8pm - Choral Friday night Service followed by reception Kiddush.  At Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3AA. More info from Ingrid Squires 01923 822592. http://www.npls.org.uk   (S)

Sat 13, 11am – Special Shabbat morning service with Professor Nick Strimpel, composer and professor of liturgical and choral Music at the University of Southern California who will sing some of his compositions.  At Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St Johns Wood Road NW8 7HA. Tel 020 7286 5181  http://www.ljs.org    (S)

Sun 14, 11.45am – Klezmer workshop with Ilana Cravitz - £5.  For more details call 020 8985 3724.  Followed by 1pm to 4pm – Klezmer Jam session with the London Klezmer Collective.  Anyone interested in playing or listening to klezmer is welcome to come along; no experience is necessary. Entry £1. More info and sheet music on http://www.ilanacravitz.com/jams.html.  At Cross Kings pub, 126 York Way N1 0AX.  Children welcome. (F)

Sun 14, change of time: 12noon to 6pm – Simcha on the Square.  Free Jewish festival including music in Trafalgar Square. (F) http://www.simcha.org.uk

Fri 19, 6.30pm – Shabbat Resouled: A musical Erev Shabbat service.  With Rabbi Neil Janes at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley N12 8DR.  Telephone 020 8446 4063.  http://www.shabbatresouled.org  (S)

Sat 20, 9pm – Choral Selichot service followed by Selichot concert featuring music by Bloch, Lewandowski, Janowski, Dawes, Bruch, Bach performed by Serena Leader – Violin, Andrea Hess – Cello, Karen Gilbert – Soprano, Judy Taylor – Soprano, The New London Synagogue Choir, Julian Dawes – Piano.  At New London Synagogue, 33 Abbey Road, St Johns Wood NW8 0AT.  Free admission. More info from synagogue office 020 7328 1026.  (S/P)  http://www.newlondon.org.uk

Sat 20, 10.30pm – Choral midnight Selichot service.  The London Cantorial Singers with Chazan David Shine and Under the direction of David Druce.  Soloists include Chazan David Rome of Ilford.  Reception at 10.30pm, service commences at 11.15pm.  At Belmont (United) Synagogue, 101 Vernon Drive, Stanmore, Middx HA7 2BW.  Free admission.  More information from the Synagogue on 020 8426 0104  (S) http://www.tlcs.org.uk

Sat 20, 11pm – Selichot service with LJS choir soloist at Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St Johns Wood Road NW8 7HA. Tel 020 7286 5181  http://www.ljs.org    (S)

Sat 20 -  11.30pm address by The Chief Rabbi, Professor Sir Jonathan Sacks followed by midnight Choral Selichot service – at Ilford United Synagogue, 22 Beehive Lane, Ilford, Essex IG1 3RT, telephone 020 8554 5969.    Service conducted by Chazzanim Lionel Rosenfeld & Jonny Turgel with the Shabbaton Choir.  http://www.shabbatonchoir.com   (S)

Sun 21, 7.30pm - Shir B’Yachad Jewish Song Group. Learn and share Jewish songs in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Hendon venue.  Entry £3.  Details from Diane 020 8905 9093, diane@major7th.com  (C )

Sun 21, 7.30pm – Spiro Ark presents an exciting blend of Jewish, Israeli & Gipsy music. Simon Primost (singer & composer) Benjamin Frith (Gold Medallist Arthur Rubinstein Piano Comp), Sarah Aaronson (Director, London Symphony Orchestra, accordionist.) Sagi Hartog (cello, Director of Spiro Ark’s Tzavta Dept.) Tickets £20 from 020 7723 9991 http://www.spiroark.org   (P)

Sun 21, 9pm – She’Koyokh Klezmer Ensemble perform at Notting Hill Arts Club, 21 Notting Hill Gate W11 3JQ, more info from 020 7460 4459  (P)  http://www.shekoyokh.co.uk

Wed 24, 7.30pm – Israel in Egypt by Handel.  Performed by The London Chorus with the New London Orchestra conducted by Ronald Corp.  At Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace SW1X 9DQ.  Tickets £25, £18, £10 in advance from http://www.cadoganhall.com, or on the day from 020 7730 4500   (P)

OCTOBER  

Fri 3, 7.15pm - Shabbat Shira service: West London (Reform) Synagogue's musical Erev Shabbat service led by in-house ensemble. At 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1. A vibrant singing service, a perfect way to bring in Shabbat. Enquiries to Rabbi Malcolm Cohen 020 7535 0267, m.cohen@wls.org.uk  http://www.wls.org.uk  (S)

Sun 12, 11.45am – Klezmer workshop with Ilana Cravitz - £5.  For more details call 020 8985 3724.  Followed by 1pm to 4pm – Klezmer Jam session with the London Klezmer Collective.  Anyone interested in playing or listening to klezmer is welcome to come along; no experience is necessary. Entry £1. More info and sheet music on  http://www.ilanacravitz.com/jams.html  At Cross Kings pub, 126 York Way N1 0AX.  Children welcome. (F)

Fri 17, 6.30pm – Shabbat Resouled: A musical Erev Shabbat service.  With Rabbi Neil Janes at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley N12 8DR.  Telephone 020 8446 4063.  http://www.shabbatresouled.org  (S)

Fri 17, 7.15pm - Shabbat Shira service: West London (Reform) Synagogue's musical Erev Shabbat service led by in-house ensemble. At 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1. A vibrant singing service, a perfect way to bring in Shabbat. Enquiries to Rabbi Malcolm Cohen 020 7535 0267, m.cohen@wls.org.uk  http://www.wls.org.uk  (S)

Sun 26, 7.30pm - Shir B’Yachad Jewish Song Group. Learn and share Jewish songs in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Hendon venue.  Entry £3.  Details from Diane 020 8905 9093, diane@major7th.com  (C )

Tues 28, 7.30pm – To commemorate the 70^th anniversary of Kristallnacht: Kaddish commemorative concert featuring Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony No 3 performed by the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, soprano Kelley Nassief, Philharmonia Chorus and Trinity Boys Choir. At Barbican, Silk Street EC2Y 8DS.  Box office 020 7638 8891 or http://www.barbican.org.uk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._3_(Bernstein) (P) 

Thurs 30, evening – The Spirit of Klezmer: Zing Yiddish Swing perform.  More details to follow.  (P)

NOVEMBER

Fri 7, 7.15pm - Shabbat Shira service: West London (Reform) Synagogue's musical Erev Shabbat service led by in-house ensemble. At 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1. A vibrant singing service, a perfect way to bring in Shabbat. Enquiries to Rabbi Malcolm Cohen 020 7535 0267, m.cohen@wls.org.uk  http://www.wls.org.uk  (S)

Fri 21, 7.15pm - Shabbat Shira service: West London (Reform) Synagogue's musical Erev Shabbat service led by in-house ensemble. At 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1. A vibrant singing service, a perfect way to bring in Shabbat. Enquiries to Rabbi Malcolm Cohen 020 7535 0267, m.cohen@wls.org.uk  http://www.wls.org.uk  (S)

Sun 23, 7.30pm - Shir B’Yachad Jewish Song Group. Learn and share Jewish songs in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Hendon venue.  Entry £3.  Details from Diane 020 8905 9093, diane@major7th.com  (C )

Sun 30, 11am to 10pm – British Israeli music day at the South Bank.  More details from Jewish Music Institute http://www.jmi.org.uk  (P)

Been to a really good Jewish music event?  Listened to a brilliant Jewish music CD ?

Got any other comments about the Jewish music scene in London?

 Send your review or comments to diane@major7th.com

share your views with others through the Jewish music diary

Interesting links from past calenders

Choral music and singing

During July there is a wide variety of Jewish choral music and singing events on in London and these are featured in the diary below with an asterisk.  If you enjoy singing and would like to do more, here is a selection of groups who welcome new participants (some require auditions): 

Zemel Choir (mixed, based in NW London) – http://www.the-zemel-choir.org
Alyth Choral Society (mixed, based in NW London) – http://www.alythchoralsociety.org.uk
Pearl Hiller Concert Choir (mixed, based in NE London) – contact Pearl Hiller 020 8554 1240
Alyth Youth Singers (13-18) – contact Viv Bellos 020 8457 8795
Shabbaton Choir (men) – http://www.shabbatonchoir.com
London Jewish Male Choir (men) – http://www.ljmc.org.uk
 London Cantorial Singers (men) – http://www.tlcs.org.uk
 Judith Silver’s singing workshops (Jewish and other songs) – http://www.judithsilver.com
Shir B’Yachad Jewish song group (Jewish songs) – contact Diane Bramson 020 8905 9093

Online Jewish music

Judaica sound archives:  http://faujsa.fau.edu/jsa/home.php

Jewish music online: http://www.jewishbroadcast.com

Jewish music downloads:  http://www.oysongs.com

Jewish music recordings and sheet music:  http://www.jewishmusic-jmd.co.uk  and http://www.jewishmusic.com

Free Klezmer sheet music downloads:  http://www.ilanacravitz.com/Kleztunes.html

Synagogue music info and downloads:  http://shulmusic.org/index.html  

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