THE NEW MUSIC STUDENT CHOIR of musrara
Yearly course of the student vocal ensemble in the New Music department of Musrara Art School, Jerusalem, with repertoire ranging from various pop and folk traditions, secular and religious early music, arrangements and adaptations by the choir of existing pieces, and original music by members of the choir.
BITTER DREAMERS
Excerpts from a performance at MusraraMix Festival, Jerusalem | 30.5.2023
Conductor and Artistic Director: Tomer Damsky
“O firstborn Father, who created the beings, a mystery that continues to grow and unveil; O owner of the road, let me pass” (Suyere to Oddua, ancient Yoruba burial ceremony, unknown date). How does vocal music function in processes of departure and escorting into the unknown? The New Music Student Choir of Musrara presents the outcome of a performative interpretation lab with a repertoire that unpacks states of grief, loss, and cleansing. Between sinking in the river of sorrow and floating on the wings of the bitter laugh of disillusionment, we have gathered together songs from musical traditions near and far. Through various points on the spectrum between sacred and profane, words in Latin, Russian, French, Yoruba, Hebrew, English, and Aramaic unfold, and a space opens up to shed tears, dream, and perhaps, move on.
Conductor and Artistic Director: Tomer Damsky
“O firstborn Father, who created the beings, a mystery that continues to grow and unveil; O owner of the road, let me pass” (Suyere to Oddua, ancient Yoruba burial ceremony, unknown date). How does vocal music function in processes of departure and escorting into the unknown? The New Music Student Choir of Musrara presents the outcome of a performative interpretation lab with a repertoire that unpacks states of grief, loss, and cleansing. Between sinking in the river of sorrow and floating on the wings of the bitter laugh of disillusionment, we have gathered together songs from musical traditions near and far. Through various points on the spectrum between sacred and profane, words in Latin, Russian, French, Yoruba, Hebrew, English, and Aramaic unfold, and a space opens up to shed tears, dream, and perhaps, move on.