Sharim v’Sharot celebrates 18th year with concert
Sharim v’Sharot/People of Song will present “Chai — To Life!” on Sunday, June 3, at 3 p.m. at 1867 Sanctuary Arts & Cultural Center, Ewing.
Music director and conductor Dr. Elayne Robinson Grossman has prepared 15 songs for the choir to sing, including the world premiere of “Praise Life! Praise Wonder!-Psalm 150” by composer Gerald Cohen, who was commissioned by five members of the choir to mark Sharim v’Sharot’s 18th year. Cohen will attend the concert and speak about composing music to the words of Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s poetry.
In addition to the Cohen/Shapiro interpretation of Psalm 150, the concert will include a version by Cantor Charles Davidson (born 1929). Other songs include “Avinu Malkenu” by Max Janowski, “Abi Gezint” by Abraham Ellstein, “Oseh Shalom” by Naomi Hirsch, “Returning the Torah to the Ark” by Louis Lewandowski, “To Life (L’Chaim)” by Jerry Boch, “Kiddush” by Kurt Weill, “Heart and Fountain” by Ofer Ben-Amots, and selections from Leonard Bernstein’s “The Chichester Psalms.”
Cohen, who is cantor at Shaarei Tikvah in Scarsdale, N.Y., received a B.A. in music from Yale University and a D.M.A. in composition from Columbia University. In addition to commissioned music for chamber ensembles and choruses, Cohen has written several operas. His works are performed throughout the United States by orchestras, ensembles, and soloists.
Tickets are $15 by May 30, or $20 at the door. Purchase online via PayPal or credit card through sharimvsharot.org, or at the box office by contacting 609-392-6409 or 1867sanctuary@preservationnj.org. For more information, contact sharimvsharot@gmail.com.
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