63rd Annual Convention - New York City
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The root word in Hebrew b,n,h can infer children, building and understanding (as commented on in Masechet Brachot 64a). In this year’s 63rd Annual Cantors Assembly Convention in New York City entitled: Building Tomorrow's Cantor Today we combined all three elements as new students and seasoned Hazzanim came together to learn from one another to build reinforcements on the bridges from the past into the future.
Play the slideshow to see images from the convention!! Tuesday offered us a moment of clarity as our President David Propis and Executive Vice President Stephen Stein (father of convention accompanist extraordinaire Scott Stein) shared their perspectives on the Assembly. We sat humbled by the tribute to our departed colleagues and took time to reflect on the business of the Assembly. Simon Spiro lent his voice to announcing the convention in Toronto of 2011 and Joe Gole installed our officers into their new terms of service. Park Avenue was the perfect setting for listening to the majestic musical compositions of Jerome Kopmar which featured Hazzanim as well as congregational volunteer singers. Sweetness emanated from the bimah as Jerome sang a duet wit his grandson. Dr. Ruth Westheimer brought the afternoon to a climax with her titillating conversation with the members. Music continued to permeate our day with a discussion on Independent Minyanim phenomenon as well as the evening's Abraham Shapiro Memorial concert at JTS. What a beautiful array of genre and styles of composition and singers. The Promenade offered no less variety and excitement with Randy Herman and his Late Nite Cabaret. Wednesday started with deep thought and reflection on the Shoah and yet a spark of fascination in the pleasure of hearing Cantor Max Fuchs share some of his story of having sung in Aachen Germany during the liberation period. The caliber of artistry continued to soar with a rendition of an American Selichot Service commissioned by Jack Chomsky and written by Gary William Friedman. Presentations were delivered and awards were afforded to various Cantors and listening to their responses inspired all in attendance to be stalwart in their own professional efforts. Dr. Benjamin Gampel mastered the art of lecture as we sat drawn in by his tellings on Sephardic Jewry.
Wednesday did not "go quietly into the night", rather, "Davening la Vida Loca" revved things up as our colleagues from other countries and cultures spiced up our musical repertoire with their compositions. That evening we were treated to a sumptuous dinner and concert of New Music for a New Mahzor. HaZamir high school choir entertained us with enthusiastic renditions of their repertoire and the Alberto Mizrahi introduced us all to new music, new musical colleagues and familiar faces of creative foresight all which lent itself to an inspiring night. Late night became early morning as many of us sat and laughed with Simon at the mic and many of our colleagues bringing down the house. |