| Foundations
The Nathan Cummings Foundation - The Cummings Foundation maintains that it is rooted in the Jewish tradition. The Foundation supports programs that "foster arts and culture that enriches communities."
The National Foundation for Jewish Culture - One of the leading foundations supporting the renewal of Jewish cultural endeavors in the United States.
Zamir Choral Foundation - Under the leadership of Matthew Lazar, Founder and Director, the Zamir Choral Foundation is presently the leading force for the perpetuation of Jewish choral music in the United States and internationally. The Foundation sponsors the National Jewish Chorale, the Zamir Chorale (in its 43rd year), the North American Jewish Choral Festival (in its 14th year) and HAZAMIR, the National Jewish High School Choir.
U.S. Based Professional Jewish Choirs
Arbel Chorale - Arbel was started in 1973 by David Braverman to bring young Jewish men and women together to sing. Originally affiliated with University of Pennsylvania Hillel. Arbel is now an independent community choir.
Halevi Choral Society - A Chicago based group originally formed as a community chorus; reorganized in 1984 as a professional choral ensemble. The Halevi repertoire spans music from the Renaissance to the contemporary and includes liturgical, secular, cantorial, Yiddish, Ladino and Israeli selections.
The Los Angeles Zimriya Chorale - Originally formed in 1997 to perform in the 18th International Zimriya Festival in Israel, this Los Angeles based group has elected to continue its existence and to perform Jewish choral music throughout Southern California.
Zamir Chorale - Formed in 1967, the Zamir Chorale is the leading proponent of Jewish Choral music today. Under the direction of Matthew Lazar, the group has performed in major concert halls throughout the United States and Israel. Zamir is now a project of the Zamir Choral Foundation, which also sponsors the National Jewish Chorale, HAZAMIR, the National Jewish High School Choir and the North American Jewish Choral Festival, which draws singers of Jewish choral music from all over the world.
Zamir Chorale of Boston - Zamir Chorale of Boston The Zamir Chorale of Boston is one of the many choirs that were inspired by the New York-based Zamir Chorale. Under the direction of Joshua Jacobson, the group has toured throughout the United States and internationally to wide acclaim.
Zemer Chai - Jewish Community Chorus of Washington, D.C. - Under the direction of Eleanor Epstein, Zemer Chai is an independent chorus that is dedicated to sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish people through music and poetry.
International Jewish Choral Groups
Austria - Wiener Judischer Chor - Jewish choir based in Vienna, Austria.
Brazil - Coral Israelita Brasilero - Coral Israelita Brasliero is a Brasilian Jewish choral ensemble.
British Columbia - The Vancouver Jewish Men's Choir - Formed in January 2000, the Vancouver Jewish Men's Choir was created to bring traditional Jewish music to lower British Columbia and to raise money for charity.
Canada - The Toronto Jewish Chamber Choir - A 25 voice choir created in 1993 by Cantor Benjamin Maissner. Performs in Canada, United States and Europe.
England - The London Jewish Male Choir - Founded in 1926, the London Jewish Male Choir has performed throughout the UK and internationally. It is presently under the direction of Clive Hyman.
England - The Zemel Choir - London - A London based mixed voice choir established in 1955 by Dudley Cohen. The Choir performs throughout the U.K. and abroad
Finland - Hazamir - A Finnish choir society that traces its roots back to 1917. Today, the choir is conducted by Leo Skurnik. The choir has performed in Scandinavian countries, France, the United States and Israel.
France - L'Association pour la promotion l'art cantorial - Association for the promotion of Cantorial Arts (APAC) French association dedicated to the perpetuation of cantorial singing.
Israel - The Anim Z'mirot Shul Choir A synagogue choir that is based in Rehovot Israel.
Israel - Collegium Tel-Aviv - A unique chamber established and directed by Avner Itay, head of Choral Activities at the Rubin Academy of Tel Aviv University. The ensemble was established in 1997 and has performed extensively throughout Israel.
Israel - The Jerusalem Cantors Choir - a choir based in Jerusalem that is dedicated to perpetuation of cantorial music.
Israel - Ladinostalgia - A recently formed ensemble that is dedicated to perpetuating the Ladino tradition. The group won first place out of 200 choirs at the "Arad Festival."
Israel - The World Assembly of Choirs Website - The International Zimriya's official website. The next World Assembly of Choirs in Israel will take place from August 2-12, 2004
Italy, Rome - The Chorus Ha Kol (Coro Ha-Kol) - Under the direction of Maestro Claudio Di segni, this 26 member mixed group is dedicated to performing the works of Jewish Italian and non-Italian Jewish composers. It was originally formed in 1993 by members of the chorus from the Main Temple of Rome.
Russia - Moscow's Male Jewish Chamber Choir - The Male Jewish Chamber Choir is conducted by Mikhail Turetsky. Since 2000, it has performed regularly at the Moscow State Variety Theatre. The choir combines musical performance with choreographed routines and orchestral accompaniment.
Netherlands - Amsterdam Synagogue Choir - The Amsterdam Synagogal Koor, under the direction of Barry J. Meller was formed in 1985, in celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Amsterdam Jewish community. The choir contributes to the Jewish cultural and artistic fabric of the Netherlands.
Jewish Collegiate Choirs
Boston University - Kol Echad - Kol Echad was formed in 1995. Since then it has toured throughout the United States.
Brandeis University - Mangina is the Jewish a capella group based at Brandeis. The group performs throughout the East Coast.
Brown University/Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) - Kol B'Ychad - Affiliated with Brown and Rhode Island School of Design Hillel Foundation.
Columbia University - Pizmon - Pizmon is the a capella Jewish choir of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
Kol Sasson, University of Maryland www.kolsasson.com -
President: Abigail Mintz,Vice President/Business Manager: Jay Diamond
email: [email protected] or [email protected] Contact us about gigs or to purchase a CD!!
MIT - Techiya - The Jewish a cappella group of MIT. According to the Techiya website, the idea for the group originated in 1992 with the lighting of a "test-tube Chanukia." The rest is history.
Princeton University - Koleinu Koleinu is a coed Jewish a capella group that was founded in the mid-1990s. It is based out of the Center for Jewish Life at the University.
Queens College - Tizmoret - Tizmoret is Queens College Hillel's a capella choir. It has performed at City hall in New York, at various shows and throughout the East Coast.
Rutgers University A Capella Group Kol Halayla (formerly Voice of the Knight) - The Jewish a capella choir of Rutgers University began as the Voice of the Knight in 1996. It is now part of the Jewish choral scene of Rutgers.
Tufts University - Shir Appeal - The Tufts University Jewish a capella group was founded in 1995. The group concretizes at Jewish cultural events and at various colleges and universities.
UCLA - Shir Bruin - Formed with assistance of the local Hillel Events Coordinator, Shir Bruin's website indicates that it is "one of the only a capella groups on the West Coast." Repertoire reflects all aspects of Jewish life
University of Chicago - Shiracago - Shiracago traces its history back to November 1996 at the University of Chicago. Since then, it has performed for local events, and for audiences in various East Coast cities.
University of Maryland - Kol Sasson - Founded in the Spring of 1997, the group has performed at various colleges and events.
University of Massachussetts - Kolot - The Jewish a capella group of University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Performs in the greater Springfield area and throughout the Northeast.
Washington University - Staam - Staam, the Washington University, St. Louis Jewish a capella group, whose name means "just because" boasts 9 members who love to sing. Repertoire includes traditional religious, Israeli and "schlock rock."
Yale University - Magevet - Magevet has earned international reknown for its varied, innovative repertoire and its warm, interactive performance style.
University/Seminary Programs
Gratz College - Gratz is the oldest non-denominational Jewish college of Jewish studies in the Western Hemisphere. The College offers Jewish music studies programs including a Masters of Arts in Jewish Music.
Hebrew Union College - Formed in 1948, HUC's Jewish Institute of Religion created a School of Sacred Music to train cantors for synagogues affiliated with the Reform movement. The School offers a degree in Sacred Music leading to Cantorial Investiture.
Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) - The H.L. Miller School of Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music offers a five-year program leading to Cantorial Investiture.
Joint Commission for Synagogue Music - A project of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), the Joint Commission for Synagogue Music is committed to strengthening music in Reform synagogues and offering resources to those institutions without cantors.
Yeshiva University - Belz School of Jewish Music - The cantorial and Jewish musical studies program of Yeshiva University. Founded in 1946, the school assists in the development of prospective cantors, teachers and group leaders.
General Choral Links/Resources
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) - Founded in 1959, the ACDA is a non-profit music education organization that is dedicated to promoting excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publications, research and teaching.
Chorus America - An organization supporting the efforts of religious and non-religious choral organizations throughout the United States and internationally. The mission of Chorus America is to strengthen choruses and increase the appreciation of choral music so more people are enriched by its beauty and power.
ChoraNet - A central portal for online communications and resources for the global choral music community. Includes newsgroups and links to other choral organizations and communities.
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