We are fortunate to be part of a religious community that places much value on music.  If you doubt that, just come to a Kol Tikvah (adult choir) rehearsal on a Tuesday night and you’ll witness volunteers from all walks of life pouring their hearts and souls into song for high purpose.  This group of talented and vibrant individuals, together with Kolan Alef (children’s choir), form the cornerstone of formal music at Beth Tikvah.  I am very proud to be working with these groups and proud of their accomplishments so far.

We also have a small group of very fine instrumentalists at Beth Tikvah who lend their time and multiple talents to our worship at holidays, enriching us beyond our own voices.
 

Beth Tikvah is part of a unique group of synagogues that base their musical excellence on volunteer members, rather than on paid musicians.  In my experience this creates a special musical environment for the synagogue community.  With that in mind, I’d like you all to know about new and continuing volunteer opportunities planned for the coming year.

If you have a musical talent you’d like to share, or a group you’d like to join, please do not hesitate to contact me.

KOL TIKVAH – our adult choir continues to warmly embrace new members at all times of the year. Rehearsals are generally 2-3 Tuesdays each month. Activities include worship and off-site festivals.

KOLAN ALEF – our children’s choir for grades 1-4 continues to rehearse every Sunday that Religious School is in session, 11:15 am – noon. Activities include worship, school assemblies, and off-site festivals.

KOLAN BET IS NEW THIS YEAR! This tween choir for grades 5-8 will begin rehearsing on Sundays that school is in session, right before services begin, from 10:00 – 10:40 am. Repertoire will be age appropriate, vocal harmonies will be more prevalent than in the younger Kolan. I’m really hoping this group will take off this year – this will be the pioneer year, and the pioneers will be the ones to choose the group’s name.

T’FILAH BAND (INSTRUMENTALISTS) IS NEW THIS YEAR! Many synagogues have formed “t’filah bands” that participate monthly in worship. I am exploring at this time what model would be most appropriate for Beth Tikvah’s community and worship style and hope to have worship enhanced with instrumental music throughout the liturgical year.
If you would like to explore this, please let me know. Adults and high school students with some experience are welcome to join the fun.

And, not to forget PURIM CHORALE, our once-a-year forage into voices of all kinds.

And above all, when the spirit moves you, just raising your voice with our congregation on Shabbat with guitar and other instruments is the sweetest music of all.

Cantorial Soloist Ilana Axel