In 5779, Cantorial student Josh Ehrlich composed one choral piece for each week of the Jewish year by selecting words from that week’s parashah and composing an a cappella setting in four-part harmony.

This collection of 54 choral pieces, The Choral Torah: Five Books in Four Parts, has now been published by The Cantors Assembly. Every piece uses one or two lines of text and includes a title page with word-by-word translation and transliteration so that the music is easily accessible to singers with all levels of Hebrew literacy. Every score features indicators of tempo and feel as well as markings throughout, clarifying articulation, dynamics, and form.

Finally, every song — crafted carefully with musical gestures to highlight the meaning of the text — is preceded by a program note that weaves together musical explanation and a d’var Torah. In this course, we will examine and learn to sing selections from this work – using Torah to teach music, and music to teach Torah.  We will also have opportunities to perform these pieces at the end of the spring quarter (and possibly sooner!).

This course will be 85% Choral Rehearsal and 15% Text/Torah Study.  Perfect for the musically literate, musically inclined or just musically enthusiastic. 

No Auditions necessary, the parts will be made accessible as recordings and sheet music.  Hazzan is available for additional support by appointment as well.   

FREE for everyone.   Please register here.