Encore, Encore!

by Jill Duff-Hoppes

HaZamir Orlando, a choir for local Jewish teens, hasn’t skipped a beat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although participants couldn’t gather in person for much of 2020 and 2021, they went virtual to continue singing Jewish choral music and to socialize and connect with one another – and with their peers in other cities. HaZamir Orlando is part of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir, which boasts 35 chapters across the United States and Israel.

“The music didn’t die during that time,” says Andrea Burke, the Orlando chapter’s parent coordinator and          cofounder. “HaZamir has proven it is so much more than a Jewish choir. It offers a sense of belonging, friendships, and even leadership opportunities.”

Now that 2022 is on the horizon, HaZamir Orlando members find themselves with plenty to celebrate. Not only has the group resumed in-person rehearsals, it has a new conductor – longtime educator Eric Levine. And currently, the chapter is busy rehearsing for a gala concert in March at Lincoln Center in New York City, where its members will perform alongside other HaZamir singers.

HaZamir is a pluralistic, auditioned choir that is open to Jewish teens in ninth through 12th grades. Every fall, the chapters rehearse that season’s musical selections independently, which are primarily sung in Hebrew. The groups then convene in the Big Apple in the spring to sing the challenging repertoire as one gigantic choir comprised of hundreds of voices. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented those in-person concerts for back-to-back years.

“We’re all very excited, after two years of cancellations, to finally be able to put this concert together and perform again at Lincoln Center,” says Eric, who is also the music director at Jewish Academy of Orlando (JAO).

Prospective members interested in joining the small but mighty Orlando chapter are encouraged to audition.

“Our big focus right now is we really want to grow the group,” Eric says. “I just think it’s an outstanding opportunity for teens.”

Andrea agrees, adding, “HaZamir is a very supportive, wonderful, inclusive community. It’s something that’s   very unique.”