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SWESRS senior choir enjoys the reputation of being one of the best in the movement.
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HISTORY
Before the choir was formed, we were fortunate to have Doris Samuels providing music at services and then, on a more regular basis by Cynthia Limburg, singing solo voice. Venues for services have included The Labour Hall and Balfour Road in Ilford until we moved to Oaks Lane, Newbury Park. The Choir first appeared at the Erev Succot service in 1961, a four part SATB group of 12 synagogue members led by Jack Paul. The choir has grown in number and now has 27 members. The merger with the Settlement Synagogue led to the name change SWERS to SWESRS and brought in more choristers.
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Our reputation within the Reform movement is well known. The choir has been fortunate enough to have worked with the following past ministers including:- Rabbis Alan Miller, Dow Marmur, Richard Address, Nathan Ginsbury, Henry Goldstein, Geoffrey Goldberg, Howard Cooper & Lawrence Rigal. Its members have included the following who went on to become Rabbis:- Jackie Tabick, Maurice Michaels (our present Rabbi), Stephen Howard, Colin Brodie & Amanda Brodie.
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LOCATION & PRACTICE
The Choirmaster (currently Ian Jacobs, pictured right) leads rehearsals and services, assisted by a mixture of competent professional and amateur accompanists. The Treasurer looks after the choir's financial interests and the co-ordinator looks after the music, administration and many other tasks. It is very much a family activity.
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Our choirmaster
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Songs from the CD -
Hava Nagila, Eshet Chayil, Halleluyah!
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We have a mixed choir tradition (SATB) and take our music from a number of sources including Reform, Orthodox, Chassidic & Renaissance, as well as modern, Israeli, and original works by SWESRS people. For almost 45 years the choir has been conducted by the following Choirmasters, all of whom have played a huge part in its development:- Jack Paul, Hans Hirschberg, John Auton, Bernard Pearlstone, Jack Rosenberg, Miles Fallman and Ian Jacobs.
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MEMBERSHIP
The age-range is, and has always been, enormous. At present it ranges from 21-86. We have had in the past, parents singing with their children, grandparents, spouses, cousins, siblings and even three generations together in prayer and song.
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ACTIVITIES
Rehearsals take place every Tuesday evening 8:00-10:00pm in the functions hall. The choir sings regularly at Shabbat, Festival, High Holyday, Wedding and Memorial services. Other special services include Consecration, Induction and Ordination. Concert performances include Interfaith, Synagogue Fundraising, Council of Christians & Jews, Hengrave Hall, Swindon. The Choir, which is wholly voluntary, has performed for special services at Weybridge, Harlow, Southend, Southgate, The Sternberg Centre.
RECORDINGS
These include The Shabbat Vinyl, The RSGB Shabbat evening tape for new congregations produced when Bernard Pearlstone was Chairman of the RSGB Music Committee. The latest CD recording (shown above) commemorates our 40th Anniversary, so buy your copy now by placing your order on line via
gillianma.smith@virgin.net. Unfortunately, we do not accept credit cards.
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SWESRS Choir are always looking for new members. If you think you can hold a tune and are interested in singing liturgical and sometimes no-liturgical pieces, contact the choirmaster at ianj@fsmail.net.
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Perhaps you can’t sing but maybe your children can or would like to give it a try. SWESRS also has an accomplished Junior Choir too...
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