|  Founded in 1969, the Zamir Chorale
of Boston’s mission is to serve as “a musical
and educational organization dedicated to raising awareness
of the breadth and beauty of Jewish culture through performances,
recordings, symposia, publications, and musical commissions.”
Led by Founder and Artistic Director Joshua Jacobson, the
Chorale comprises more than 45 experienced volunteer singers
who perform music spanning thousands of years, four continents,
and a variety of styles, both classical and popular. Zamir’s
repertoire includes Jewish liturgical pieces, major classical
works, music of the Holocaust, newly commissioned compositions,
and Israeli, Yiddish, and Ladino folksongs. Zamir’s
music is enjoyed by people of all ages, religions and races.
Concerts can be designed to meet the special requirements
and always provide an educational component.
In addition to enjoying a devoted following in the Greater
Boston area, Zamir has achieved a far-reaching reputation
through its 21 recordings and frequent tours throughout the
United States, as well as in Israel and Europe. The documentary
film, Zamir: Jewish Voices Return to Poland, has been shown
across the country on public television stations. In January
2006, Zamir was invited to perform at the United Nations General
Assembly for the first International Day to Commemorate Victims
of the Holocaust.
An essential component of Zamir’s mission is to develop
future leaders in Jewish choral music. The Mary Wolfman Epstein
Conducting Fellowship provides funding for young conductors
to study Jewish choral music with Joshua Jacobson. Graduates
of the program have gone on to conduct choirs of their own
in Boston and beyond. Zamir also mentors other Jewish community
choruses through joint rehearsals and performances.
Dr. Joshua Jacobson is one of the world’s leading authorities
on Jewish choral music. He is Professor of Music and Director
of Choral Activities at Northeastern University and Visiting
Professor of Jewish Music at Hebrew College. A sought-after
scholar and lecturer, his many arrangements, editions, and
compositions are performed worldwide. His book, Chanting the
Hebrew Bible: The Art of Cantillation (Jewish Publication
Society, 2002), is considered the definitive source in the
field. Zamir concerts are known for being highly entertaining,
thanks to Dr. Jacobson’s colorful programming and his
illuminating commentary from the stage.
The Zamir Chorale of Boston, choir-in-residence at Hebrew
College, is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council
and by Combined Jewish Philanthropies.
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