Welcome to the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, Dr. Noreen Green,
Artistic Director, the only orchestra of its kind in the United
States dedicated to performing music of Jewish composers and on
Jewish themes. The mission of the LAJS is to perform serious orchestral
works of known, as well as not commonly recognized Jewish composers;
establish opportunities for the presentation of new compositions
by Jewish artists; serve as a professional resource for aspiring
Jewish and non-Jewish musicians; and act as an educational medium
for Jewish music and composers. The LAJS chooses a repertoire that
spans the richness of Jewish music throughout the centuries to the
present time. Annually, the Los
Angeles Jewish Symphony performs full orchestra concerts, each
with its own theme often inspired by a holiday or Jewish event;
numerous mini concerts or community events that are free to the
public; and music appreciation educational programs for children
in local schools. The Symphony is unique because it uses an educational
approach interwoven with the musical presentation to inform the
audience about the music and
composers, introducing each piece with commentary. Dr. Green explains
the history of the piece and its relationship to the concert’s
theme.
The LAJS also serves
as a resource to local organizations by performing special concerts
for their fund raising purposes. For the educational
programs, classroom teachers work with LAJS teaching specialists
to expose students to music of Jewish composers. Each specialist
spends a total of four hours directly with each class of students.
Classroom teachers integrate the music directly into their history
lessons to broaden the students’ knowledge of a particular era
and culture. The unit culminates in free LAJS performances of
the works studied. Educational programs are funded entirely by
foundation and corporate grants.
In May 2000, members
of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony represented the diversity of
Southern California culture by traveling to Israel as part of
the Tel Aviv-Los Angeles Partnership of the Jewish Federation
of Greater Los Angeles to perform two concerts with the New Symphony
Orchestra of the Samuel Rubin Israel Academy of Music of Tel Aviv
University. The Concert theme was Cinema Judaica: Film Music with
Jewish Themes utilizing the principal players of the LAJS as soloists.
The soloists also taught master classes at the Academy. LAJS's
Artistic Director, Dr. Noreen Green also lectured on the Jewish
contribution to the history of film music.
The LAJS stands as
a testament to the importance for Jews to nurture and promote
our cultural heritage. As an alternative to the established and
conventional pathways to Judaism, the Symphony provides an additional
resource to enhance the connection Jews can find to their Jewish
roots.
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