MUSIC | CHOIR

Choir

At the heart of the music program at Temple is the Temple Emanu-El Choir. Founded in 1953, over the past 45 years this unique synagogue choir has gained a reputation as one of the outstanding Jewish choirs in America. The Choir, which has over 85 regular members, sings weekly for Shabbat services at our Temple and for the High Holidays. In addition, the Choir presents programs of Jewish music both at the Temple and in the general community.

The Choir rehearses in the Choir Room each Tuesday night from 7:30–9:30 p.m. The Choir is noted for its rich repertoire of Israeli, Yiddish and Sephardic music, as well as its performances of the masterpieces of the Jewish choral tradition.

The only synagogue choir invited to appear with a major American orchestra, the Temple Emanu-El Choir performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 1984, presenting the world premiere performance of Simon Sargon’s Cantata of Penitence “Elul: Midnight.”

In recent years the Choir has toured extensively, both nationally and internationally. It has appeared at synagogues and in concert venues in Santa Fe, Tulsa, Washington, D.C., Toronto, and Mexico City. In Europe, the Choir has performed in major cities such as London, Dublin, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Paris, and Vienna. In 1984, the Choir made a concert tour of Israel, appearing both in Kibbutzim and cities throughout the country.

The Temple Emanu-El Choir presents a concert of Chanukah music annually at Dallas’ NorthPark Mall. Over the years, the Choir has performed on national radio and television and has made several recordings. Its latest CD, “Renew Unto Us a Good Year–Music of the High Holidays at Temple Emanu-El,” was issued in the Spring of 2001 and received glowing press notices.

Choir membership is open to all who love to sing and are interested in furthering the cause of quality Jewish choral music. For more information about joining the Choir, please contact the Veronica Smoot, Music Assistant at 214.706.0000, ext.137.