CANTOR'S CORNER
TISHTONES, TISHTEENS and CHOIR
The TishTones sharing their joyous sounds at the 3rd Street Promenade.
The Tishtones are the all-member band of Beth Shir Sholom, the progressive, Reform Synagogue in Santa Monica, California. Led by Cantor Ken Cohen and Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels, each TishTone volunteers his/her musical skills and enthusiasm in celebrating our one-of-a-kind Shabbat experience: The Shabbos Tish.
The band began in the early 1990’s when Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels set our Shabbat evening service around a table in the shul’s social hall for a celebration weaving together music, prayer, study, dance, meditative moments and poetic expression. In the beginning, two or three musicians joined Rabbi Neil on guitar, violin and piano. Over the years, the band has grown in size and repertoire, featuring new pieces from composers in the band and using our “ten thousand opinions” to create original arrangements drawn from our rich tradition of Jewish music. We continually strive to wed the music to the meaning of the text in order to heighten the spiritual experience of our congregation while giving each musical setting a unique TishTone spin.
The TishTones are thankful to the Beth Shir Sholom volunteer adult choir who join us on songs arranged and composed for the band/choir by our former cantor, David Shukiar. We are also grateful to the leadership and congregants of Beth Shir Sholom for being “the eleventh TishTone” for so many years, bringing community and sincerity to every new note we play.
To listen to the inspiring music of the Tishtones, click here.
THE TISHTONES
Tishtone Rehearsal Schedule
2008 - 2009
DECEMBER - HANUKKAH - Dec. 20, 7:30pm
December 9 Tuesday 7pm
December 11 Thursday 7pm
December 16 Tuesday 7pm
December 18 Thursday 7pm
TISH 19 Friday 6:15pm call
JANUARY – SHABBAT SHIRA/MLK - Jan. 23, 7:30pm
January 13 Tuesday 7pm
January 15 Thursday 7pm
January 20 Tuesday 7pm
January 22 Thursday 7pm
TISH 23 Friday 6:15pm call
FEBRUARY – CELEBRATION - Feb. 27, 7:30pm
February 17 Tuesday 7pm
February 19 Thursday 7pm
February 24 Tuesday 7pm
February 26 Thursday 7pm
TISH 27 Friday 6:15pm call
MARCH – FREEDOM - Mar. 27, 7:30pm
March 17 Tuesday 7pm
March 19 Thursday 7pm
March 24 Tuesday 7pm
March 26 Thursday 7pm
TISH 27 Friday 6:15pm call
APRIL – ISRAEL - Apr. 24, 7:30pm
April 14 Tuesday 7pm
April 16 Thursday 7pm
April 21 Tuesday 7pm
April 23 Thursday 7pm
TISH 24 Friday 6:15pm call
MAY – SHAVUOT - May. 22, 7:30pm
May 12 Tuesday 7pm
May 14 Thursday 7pm
May 19 Tuesday 7pm
May 21 Thursday 7pm
TISH 22 Friday 6:15pm call
JUNE – HEALING - June. 26, 7:30pm
June 16 Tuesday 7pm
June 18 Thursday 7pm
June 23 Tuesday 7pm
June 25 Thursday 7pm
TISH 26 Friday 6:15pm call
Dec 24 World Concert Series TBA Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. LA
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RUACH JEWISH MUSIC SERIES
TISHTONES have submitted four songs from the “10 Thousand Opinions” CD for consideration in the upcoming RUACH series of contemporary Jewish Music.
“The RUACH series delivers the newest and coolest Jewish rock music from North America and Israel. Continuing the tradition of the NFTY album series, RUACH brings to light the best of cutting-edge Jewish contemporary music [to Reform congregations all over the world].”
The songs include: Shiru Laadonai, Shalom Aleichem, Mi Shebeirach, & Adonai S'fatai
The TishTones have much to offer the Jewish and non-Jewish world. We hope this is the first of many opportunities for our wonderful music, creativity, and spirit to be expressed in the greater Jewish community.
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Meet the TishTones

Ruth Rosen Violin Bob Packham Keyboard, Arranger

Peter Quentin Vocals, Guitar Mike Stearn Vocals, 12-string Guitar

Rick Kurshner Percussion

Cantor Ken Cohen & Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels

Stan "the Bass Man" Brooks
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TISHTEENS
Attention: Teen Musicians at BSS
TISHTEENS FORMING!
Music at BSS has always been the heart of our special congregation. Our newest musical undertaking is to create an exciting musical ensemble led by our teenagers at the synagogue, called the TishTeens.
We’re looking for musicians interested in sharing the joy of music making. All singers and instrumentalists welcome. Also, if you love to write or arrange music, this is the place to share your gifts.
The TishTeens will be performing at special events, community programs, and Shabbat services throughout the year. All those interested in building this exciting musical group, please contact Cantor Ken for further information.
Let’s bring the music and rock the house….the house of the song of peace!
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CHOIR
 
Beth Shir Sholom Choir
Firoza Jhabvala Susan Gabrich Susan Rubini Ceryl Feldman Linda Hoffman Ari Hahyar
Our choir meets throughout the year, performing on the High Holidays, World Music Concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, Shabbat Shira (Sabbath of Song), Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Service, 'Our Voices' Program and special musical Sabbaths during the year.
If you like to sing you're a perfect candidate. Come and join our choir family of singers,
and enjoy wonderful music, camaraderie, and joyous spirit. Prior experience not necessary, just a love of sharing song.
ESPECIALLY FOR CHOIRS AND TEACHING MUSIC
Transcontinental Music
Transcontinental Music Publications is the world's largest publisher of Jewish music, including songbooks, choral & sheet music and recordings
http://www.transcontinentalmusic.com/
Tara Publications
Tara Publications is both a publisher and distributor of Jewish music of all genres. Their website includes access descriptions of scores, books and sound recordings. An extensive list of excerpts from recordings are available using Real Audio. The site includes a collection of brief biographical sketches of artists and composers of materials they are selling. Their page links to websites of active recording and performance artists and groups.
Bo'u L'fanav Bir'nanah: Come Into God's Presence with Singing - Worship Music Guidelines for Small Congregations — This booklet is especially helpful for congregations that do not have trained Jewish music professionals to plan their worship music.
The Art of Torah Cantillation, Vol. 1 and The Art of Cantillation, Vol. 2 (Haftarot and M'gillot) — This two-volume book comes with accompanying CD and is for those who wish to learn to chant Torah, haftarot, and the m'gillot.
Divrei Shir: Words of Song - A Curriculum for the Study of Synagogue Music — This nine-module series explores the beauty and diversity of synagogue music.
“Synagogue Choirs As Instruments of Prayer: Their Importance, Organization and Techniques” by master composer Ben Steinberg — Among the issues covered in this article are reasons and procedures for starting a choir, rehearsal logistics, repertoire, and funding.
Kolot Yaldeinu: Voices of Our Children - Resources and Repertoire for Children's Choirs — This packet contains a music CD and sampler, along with a catalog of repertoire for children's choirs.
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JEWISH CHORAL FESTIVAL OF NORTH AMERICA
Held each summer for the past 17 years, The North American Jewish Choral Festival is the premiere Jewish choral event anywhere. It brings together singers and choirs from across North America, with a renowned teaching staff, conductors, composers and professionals to sing, learn and share the joy of Jewish music. The Festival features five days of intensive workshops, study, performances, concerts, and fun and friendship.
More than 500 participants take part in daily community sings; "instant ensembles" for all participants, led by acclaimed conductors, which rehearse for four days and perform at a gala closing concert; evening concerts, featuring outstanding vocal ensembles, choruses and soloists; workshops covering everything from vocal and conducting techniques to the history of Jewish music and ritual; and late night gatherings, including Jewish music sing-alongs, videos and more.
The Festival attracts amateur singers, professional soloists, cantors, conductors, and lovers of Jewish music from across the spectrum and denominations in an unforgettable experience.
Sing to your heart's content at the
20th Annual
NORTH AMERICAN JEWISH CHORAL FESTIVAL
July, 2009
Hudson Valley Resort and Spa
Kerhonkson, NY
Sponsored by the
Zamir Choral Foundation
in association with the Union for Reform Judaism and Gratz College
The North American Jewish Choral Festival draws hundreds of Jewish music lovers each summer. Participants gather for large-group community choral singing; work with the world's top conductors of Jewish choral music in smaller ensembles; choose from workshops on a wide variety of topics related to Jewish music; and enjoy daily concert performances by North America's leading Jewish choirs. Workshops are available for non-singers as well.
For more information, please visit the Zamir Choral Foundation
or contact the Department of Worship, Music and Religious Living.
Registration brochures are available
in late winter/early spring.
LINKS TO CHORAL GROUPS
Here are web sites and resources that are part of the Jewish choral network. Please visit and support them.
Shirah: Community Chorus of the JCC on the Palisades
http://www.shirah.citymax.com/page/page/4014972.htm
Zemer Chai
Zemer Chai, "living song," is a choir of 30 singers dedicated to sharing the rich and diverse musical heritage of the Jewish people. Founded in 1976 by conductor and artistic director Eleanor Epstein, the choir sings the full range of the Jewish repertoire: the beautiful late Renaissance compositions of Salomone Rossi, the great European liturgical classics of the 19th century, the works of the great modern Jewish composers, the ever-growing and exciting work of Israeli composers, as well as Jewish folk music from all over the world. In addition to preserving and promoting the wonderful music of the past, the choir also commissions new works to add to the Jewish choral repertoire.
http://www.zemerchai.org/
The Western Wind
Since 1969, the internationally acclaimed vocal sextet, The Western Wind, has devoted itself to the special beauty and variety of a cappella music.
http://www.westernwind.org/
Kol Zimrah
Kol Zimrah, the Jewish Community Singers, is a volunteer civic chorus serving the metropolitan Chicago area. The membership represents a comprehensive cross-section of the city and suburbs. The mission of Kol Zimrah is to sustain and interpret the great tradition of Jewish choral music, to serve as a musical resource for the region, and to encourage the composition of new Judaic choral works. The organization provides a common forum for Jewish singers from many backgrounds in the pursuit of musical excellence.
http://www.kolzimrah.org/
Shir Chadash: the Brooklyn Community Jewish Chorus
Shir Chadash: the Brooklyn Jewish Community Chorus, under the direction of Cantor Natasha J. Hirschhorn, is a four-part chorus with 50+ members. Now in its 8th season, Shir Chadah's mission is to challenge, enrich, and delight its singing members and audiences through the excellence of its performances. Our repertoire is inspired by the richness and diversity of Jewish music from around the globe, ranging from hauntingly rendered liturgical offerings, to updated arrangements of world folk music in many languages.
http://shir-chadash.cfsites.org/
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