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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