April 8, 2008

• Israeli/UAB choirs meet, share music

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A choir from Israel and students in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Gospel Choir will meet and perform together as part of a musical cultural exchange, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, in the UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, 950 13th St. S. The public is invited; the event is free. For details call Joyce Spielberger at 205-879-0416. Kevin Turner directs the UAB Gospel Choir.

The Meitav Chorale Ensemble hails from Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel. The two choirs will participate in a master class followed by a performance. Later, the students will enjoy dinner together at an area restaurant, hosted by the Birmingham Jewish Federation.

The Birmingham Jewish community has a close partnership with Rosh Ha'ayin, facilitated by the Birmingham Jewish Federation. In 2005 the City of Birmingham adopted Rosh Ha'ayin as an official sister city through their Sister Cities Commission.

During their week in Birmingham, the Meitav Vocal Ensemble will perform at UAB, Samford University, Temple Emanu-El and the Levite Jewish Community Center. They also will perform at a celebration for Israel's 60th anniversary and in several Birmingham City schools as part of the Birmingham International Center's Salute to Israel and Jordan.

The ensemble was founded in 2005. The ensemble is made up of 12 singers and three musicians ages 13-18, at the Rosh Ha'ayin Music Conservatory. The group regularly performs at major events and concerts throughout Israel. Meitav's repertoire is varied and ranges from classical music to Israeli folk-songs, international folk music, pop, jazz and blues classics, and contemporary classical and avant-garde works. Eager to explore new artistic ideas, Meitav often collaborates with aspiring young composers who write pieces especially for the group.