The Chester River Chorale Celebrates
American Music with Jewish Roots
The Chester River Chorale in concert.
The Chester River Chorale presents L’Chaim! To Life!, a concert celebrating American music with Jewish roots. The 85-voice Chorale will offer three performances, an evening concert on Saturday, March 31 at 8 p.m., followed by two performances on Sunday, April 1, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre. Tickets are $15, free for children under twelve.
Borrowing its title from the song in “Fiddler on the Roof,” sung here with special Mid-Shore lyrics, this concert heralds spring in a celebration of life and features the Alexandria Kleztet, an authentic klesmet band. The recipient of fifteen Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies), the Alexandria Kleztet is known throughout the Mid-Atlantic region for its exciting and innovative arrangements of traditional Eastern European Jewish music and original compositions drawing on jazz, classical, world beat, rock and other musical genres.
With appearances by Chestertown’s own Cantor Gary Schiff, soloists from the CRC, and the Chester Chamber Singers, the program traces the development of American music by Jewish composers from 19th century sacred music through the early 20th century show tunes of the Yiddish theaters of Second Avenue (known as the “Yiddish Broadway”) and on to well-loved hits from Broadway itself. Highlights include Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and a collection of George Gershwin’s songs.
The CRC is directed by Douglas D. Cox, former Assistant Director of the Soldiers’ Chorus of the United States Army Band. CRC The CRC’s Accompanist is Sammy Marshall, who continues to work with the Field Band. He served with Cox for 12 years as accompanist for the Soldiers’ Chorus.
CRC members are amateur singers from the Mid-Shore region who rehearse Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. at Heron Point of Chestertown. No audition is required. The CRC presents three major concerts each year, usually to standing-room-only audiences.
The Chester River Chorale is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization funded in part by the Kent County Arts Council and by an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. The CRC’s Mission is to provide opportunity and inspiration for amateur singers to strive for artistic excellence. CRC performances entertain diverse audiences and enrich the cultural life of the community. For more information visit www.chesterriverchorale.org or call 410–810–1438.
