Shir Darom Members Want to Share Jewish Music
By SANDRA J PENNECKE
By Sandra J. Pennecke
Correspondent
KEMPSVILLE
The members of Shir Darom make beautiful music together and they’re looking for more people to join in.
Shir Darom, which means “Song of the South” in Hebrew, is the Jewish Community Chorus of Hampton Roads. It was founded five years ago by Renee Mansheim and friends.
Unlike other choruses in the area, Shir Darom’s focus is on Jewish music.
An introductory rehearsal is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive.
“We started Shir Darom because while there are many choral groups nationwide, most of them are sponsored by churches,” said Mansheim, of Norfolk. ” Much of choral repertoire is related to church liturgy. Without question it is great music. We wanted to perform great music that reflected our culture.”
The earliest choral music the group performs is by Salomone Rossi , a 16th century composer from Mantua, Italy. The newest music includes seven original pieces written by Ezekiel Panitz , who attended the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Charles Weedman , a retired university music professor, directs the chorus and Arnel Senson is the accompanist.
The 15 members of Shir Darom are men and women of all ages from different religious affiliations.
Stephanie Kreiner , of Fox Fire, joined the group three years ago.
“I attended a performance and I loved what I heard.” said Kreiner, who serves as the group’s recruiter. “I decided I wanted to join.”
Kreiner started singing as a child and has sung with various groups, but she feels passionate about Shir Darom.
“The music is just beautiful and the people who hear us perform all agree,” she said.
Shir Darom holds about six performances throughout the year at various locations including Lynnhaven Mall, retirement homes, synagogues and at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center.
As the group enters into its sixth season, it is actively recruiting members with no auditions required.
Rehearsals are normally held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, from the end of August through the end of June.
“Our chief requirement is an interest in learning and performing good Jewish music,” Mansheim said. “You don’t have to be Jewish to sing with us and you don’t have to be an expert singer or sight- reader. Enthusiasm is what we’re looking for.”
Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net
going?
What Shir Darom introductory rehearsal
Where Simon Family Jewish Community Center, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive
When 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Info Call Stephanie Kreiner at 427-2328 or e-mail srwkinvb@ msn.com.
Originally published by BY SANDRA J. PENNECKE.
(c) 2008 Virginian – Pilot. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.