Sonoma State University's new Jewish Music Series features local and international talents, showcasing music that reflects the broad spectrum of the Jewish experience including classical and folk songs, Yiddish theater, Eastern European Klezmer, Jewish-influenced classical works, and songs about social justice from American religious communities.
The seven-concert series is led by Dr. Francesco Spagnolo, who both curates the series and teaches its accompanying course, Survey of Jewish Musics. Performances range from the classically trained soprano Heather Klein, who recently completed a residency in Budapest researching sheet music and collaborating with Hungarian musicians, to the "Jewish Cowboy" Scott Gerber, whose mother taught him Yiddish folksongs growing up on a chicken ranch in Petaluma.
The series is part of the Jewish Studies Program at Sonoma State. Concerts are held at 6:30 p.m. on selected Thursdays from Sept. 3 to Dec. 3. in Schroeder Hall. Seating is available on a first-come, first serve basis. Call 664-2324 or visit http://www.sonoma.edu/jewishstudies/home/jewish_music_series.html for more information. Admission is free, parking is $5-$8 on campus.
Sept. 24
The Big Galut(e)
Robin Seletsky, Sasha Margolis, Michael Leopold, Mark Rubinstein, and Richard Sosinsky
Oct. 8
Yiddish and Israeli Song
Sharon Bernstein
Oct. 22
The Bridge Players: Music from The Camps
Rachel Weiss, Michael Graham, and Marilyn Thompson
Nov. 5
The Book of J
Jeremiah Lockwood and Jewlia Eisenberg
The Singing Jewish Cowboy
Scott Gerber
Nov. 19
Safra
John Erlich, Eliana Kissner, Debbie Fier, and Susanna Goldenstein
Dec. 3
Yiddish Art Song
Heather Klein, Alla Gladysheva, Be'eri Moalem