FAU libraries will be holding auditions for its Judaica Choral Society (JCS). The JCS, a semi-professional Jewish music chorus, performs music from all over the world. FAU’s JCS is also the only known Jewish music chorus in residence at a state university in the United States. Its purpose is to perform choral music from FAU’s extensive Judaica music collection. Singers of any age and denomination are welcome to audition for the 16 to 20 member ensemble.
Aaron Kula, the director of the JCS and director of music collections at FAU libraries, says that he’s looking for people who already have a fair amount of musical knowledge and talent and are looking to try something new.
“The chorus is pretty basic, you come, you get music, you sing and you leave,” says Kula, who admits to feeling a little connected to the music the chorus performs, “I grew up with Jewish music in the house because my father was a cantor. It’s like a natural extension of myself.”
Auditions are open to all FAU students, faculty and the general public. Applicants wishing to apply should already know how to sing, read music and follow a conductor. However, the JCS is also looking for people who are able to play the piano.
Scheduling for auditions will last until Oct. 12. and all auditions are by appointment only. Applicants will be required to sing a prepared piece, sight sing a short passage and identify musical notation.
Rehearsals will be every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. beginning on Oct. 26 at FAU’s S.E. Wimberley Library on the Boca campus. Those who join the chorus will have the opportunity of performing rare music alongside the celebrated Klezmer Company Orchestra, the libraries’ professional ensemble in residence. The JCS repertoire will include Yiddish theatre, music from Eastern European and Mediterranean cultures and cantorial music which will all be sung in English, Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino (old Spanish).
The first live performance by the JCS will take place on Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach. JCS will perform next on Sunday, Jan. 28, at the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens, and Sunday, March 4, at FAU’s Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium in Boca Raton.
If you are interested in auditioning for the FAU Judaica Choral Society or for more information, contact Aaron Kula at (561) 297-3742 or [email protected].
