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Press Releases
Exaltation! Biblical Stories Through Music
The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS), lauded for its
exploration of Jewish culture, presents EXALTATION!
BIBLICAL STORIES THROUGH MUSIC, a performance
celebrating music inspired by the Bible's rich literary heritage,
on Sunday, August 14, 2011, 7:30 pm, under the stars at the
Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. The concert, led by Artistic
Director Noreen Green, features a variety of classical, film
and musical theatre works. Among the guest artists are
celebrated vocalist and two-time Grammy nominee Amick
Byram and fifteen-year-old violin virtuoso Stephen Waarts,
described by critics as 'poetic,' 'engaging' and 'something
special.'
YouTube Clips:
Los Angeles Jewish Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWqtADJaWao
15-year-old Stephen Waarts performing Stephen Waarts, plays the 3rd movement of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Prophets Violin Concerto written for Jasha Heifetz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhUNViRw0b8
Amick Byram singing 'You'll Never be the Same': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXmwRu0-f6Q
'The Bible is a source of inspiration and tradition for many of the world's religions,' says Green, who has brought neglected as well as new and familiar orchestral works on Jewish themes to the concert stage. 'Our program celebrates the commonality of the Bible's timeless and heroic stories of love and betrayal, of prophets and people, of kings and shepherds and of good and evil, which serve to link different religions and cultures together.'
The evening includes music from Franz Waxman and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, two film composers among the elite group of European emigres that immeasurably enriched the cultural life of Los Angeles. On the program are Waxman's lushly romantic film score, The Story of Ruth, a stirring depiction of loyalty, romance, faith and devotion; and Castelnuovo-Tedesco's brilliant and seldom-played Violin Concerto #2, subtitled The Prophets, a musical portrait of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah, featuring Waarts. Additionally, Byram performs music from stage and screen ranging from Andrew Lloyd Weber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Steven Schwartz's Prince of Egypt to Jerry Bock's The Apple Tree, Alan Menken's King David and Shuki Levy's Masada The Musical Saga. Byram was in the original cast of Masada The Musical Saga, which was presented in Israel for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the state.
The mission of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS), founded by Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Noreen Green in 1994, is to perform orchestral works of Jewish composers (both known as well as not commonly recognized); establish opportunities for the presentation of new compositions by Jewish artists; serve as a professional resource for aspiring Jewish and non-Jewish musicians; act as an educational medium for Jewish music and composers; and provide educational opportunities for diverse populations of school age children. Since its debut performance in 1994, LAJS has served over 60,000 people through 49 full symphony concerts, 54 community events and fund raising concerts and 25 educational concerts. The Symphony has premiered 33 works by Jewish composers and works never before performed in America, as well as world premieres and Israeli premieres in Israel. LAJS has provided aspiring musicians of all ethnicities and backgrounds an opportunity to play with a full orchestra, and more than 12,000 students have participated in LAJS' music education programs. In May 2000, members of the Symphony performed two concerts in Israel with the New Symphony Orchestra of the Samuel Rubin Israel Academy of Music of Tel Aviv University. In recent years, Dr. Green has taken her unique programming and repertoires to South Africa, Canada, and Israel where she served as guest conductor for local orchestras. In September 2008, the Symphony was the featured performing arts group at the historic raising of the Israeli flag in front of the Israeli Consulate's building in Los Angeles. http://www.lajewishsymphony.org
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Dr. Noreen Green, LAJS Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor, is also music director at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, a renowned lecturer on Jewish music, and an accomplished educator. She is known world-wide for her knowledge and skill in presenting music with Jewish themes. Green has received public recognition for her outstanding contributions to the multi-cultural musical scene in Los Angeles by Congressman Brad Sherman and by the Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life. She has received the 'Jewish Cultural Star' award presented by the National Foundation of Jewish Culture at The Jewish Image Awards, the 'Golda Meir Award' from The State of Israel Bonds, the 'Hall of Fame Award' from the National Association of Women Business Owners and the 'Women of Significance Award' from Adat Ari El Sisterhood. She has been a featured speaker for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Upbeat Live series and conducted at the opening ceremonies of the 2001 Maccabi Games in Philadelphia. Dr. Green has been guest conductor for Jewish Music concerts with the Rubin Academy Orchestra in Tel Aviv, the Johannesburg Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony at the new performing arts center in Herzliyah and the Raanana Symphonette Under her baton, LAJS has performed in concert with Hollywood personalities including Billy Crystal, Tovah Feldshuh, Leonard Nimoy, Randy Newman, Theodore Bikel, Laraine Newman, Valerie Harper, Pat Boone, Lainie Kazan, Fyvush Finkel, Dave Koz, Marvin Hamlisch and others. During her tenure with the LAJS, Green, along with Education Director Ilizabeth Gilbert, has developed education programs initially funded by the New and Innovate Grants division of the Jewish Community Foundation. Several of these programs have gone on to receive funding from the Righteous Persons Foundation, the Maurice Amado Foundation, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, the Leonard and Susan Bay Nimoy Foundation and the Tel Aviv/Los Angeles Partnership. LAJS received a substantial education grant from the National Endowment of the Arts for its Patchwork of Cultures program which uses music to show the cultural bridge between the Sephardic Jewish and Hispanic communities. Green received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Music from the University of Southern California and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting at California State University, Northridge under conductor John Alexander. From 1981 to 1990, she was the conductor of the American Jewish Choral Society. As West Coast Music Director of the David Nowakowsky Foundation from 1992 to 1998, Green presented an annual concert series of the Nowakowsky Chorale. She wrote her doctoral treatise on the music of Nowakowsky, and went on to edit many of his works, ten of which have been published by Laurendale. From 1986 to 1992, Green was an Assistant Professor at CSUN and in the summer of 1993, she worked with conductor Murry Sidlin at the Aspen Music School. With his support and encouragement, she developed the concept for and founded the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony.
Celebrated vocalist, recording artist and two-time Grammy nominee Amick Byram sang the role of Moses in the animated feature film, The Prince of Egypt and on stage has performed in many productions including Phantom of the Opera, (Broadway and LA), Les Miserables, (West Coast Premiere at the Shubert Theater) in the roles of Marius and Enjolras, and Sunset Boulevard as Joe Gillis playing opposite Glenn Close. Byram is the recipient of two Grammy nominations for vocal jazz albums. Byram's voice is heard on Shrek, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Hercules, Mulan, El Dorado, and literally hundreds of other feature films. Byram can be heard on many television and radio commercials and singing voices in over 100 episodes of The Simpsons and The Family Guy. As an actor, he is recognized as Ian Troi, Counselor Troi's father from Star Trek, The Next Generation. Some of Byrams other television guest roles have been on Ally McBeal, Kristin, Frasier, Friends, Saved By the Bell, and Superior Court on which he appeared as a series regular for three seasons playing attorney Darrell Guillary. Byram is also a theatrical producer and director who has directed five world premieres of new musicals with budgets from one-half million dollars to eight million dollars and has produced theater regionally and at the John Houseman Theater in New York City. He is the Founding Producing Director of American Coast Theater Company in Costa Mesa, California and is a guest artist lecturer at colleges and universities.
Fifteen-year-old violin virtuoso Stephen Waarts started his violin studies at age 5 - and piano studies at age 8. He is a scholarship student in the San Francisco Conservatory Preparatory Division, where he currently studies violin and composition. Since January 2009, Waarts has studied with Alexander Barantschik, Concertmaster of San Francisco Symphony, and he also studies with Baroque violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock. This past November, Stephen won first prize in the 2010 International Louis Spohr Competition for young violinists, Junior Division, in Weimar, Germany, and also a special award for the best interpretation of a romantic concerto. In August 2010, Stephen won first prize in the International Summit Music Festival's Concerto competition, Junior Division, in New York. Last year, at age 13, he won second prize and the Ole Bull Prize in the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists in Oslo. Prior to that award, Waarts had won First Prize at a number of International and United States music competitions including the 2009 KDFC Classical Star Search Competition. He has played in a great number of master classes and private lessons of celebrated artists including Bruce Adolphe, Emanuel Borok, Efrem Briskin, Eugene Drucker, Jorja Fleezanis, Midori, Itzhak Perlman, Aaron Rosand, Philip Setzer, Axel Strauss and Ian Swensen. Accomplished in areas besides music, Waarts has won many national awards in math competitions.
THE VENUE AND TICKETS
The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.
The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle. FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area.
This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2011 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.
Tickets, priced at $36 and $25, and $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under, are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD). There is a 10 percent discount for groups of 8-15, 20 percent for groups of 16 or more.
YouTube Clips:
Los Angeles Jewish Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWqtADJaWao
15-year-old Stephen Waarts performing Stephen Waarts, plays the 3rd movement of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Prophets Violin Concerto written for Jasha Heifetz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhUNViRw0b8
Amick Byram singing 'You'll Never be the Same': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXmwRu0-f6Q
'The Bible is a source of inspiration and tradition for many of the world's religions,' says Green, who has brought neglected as well as new and familiar orchestral works on Jewish themes to the concert stage. 'Our program celebrates the commonality of the Bible's timeless and heroic stories of love and betrayal, of prophets and people, of kings and shepherds and of good and evil, which serve to link different religions and cultures together.'
The evening includes music from Franz Waxman and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, two film composers among the elite group of European emigres that immeasurably enriched the cultural life of Los Angeles. On the program are Waxman's lushly romantic film score, The Story of Ruth, a stirring depiction of loyalty, romance, faith and devotion; and Castelnuovo-Tedesco's brilliant and seldom-played Violin Concerto #2, subtitled The Prophets, a musical portrait of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah, featuring Waarts. Additionally, Byram performs music from stage and screen ranging from Andrew Lloyd Weber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Steven Schwartz's Prince of Egypt to Jerry Bock's The Apple Tree, Alan Menken's King David and Shuki Levy's Masada The Musical Saga. Byram was in the original cast of Masada The Musical Saga, which was presented in Israel for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the state.
The mission of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS), founded by Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Noreen Green in 1994, is to perform orchestral works of Jewish composers (both known as well as not commonly recognized); establish opportunities for the presentation of new compositions by Jewish artists; serve as a professional resource for aspiring Jewish and non-Jewish musicians; act as an educational medium for Jewish music and composers; and provide educational opportunities for diverse populations of school age children. Since its debut performance in 1994, LAJS has served over 60,000 people through 49 full symphony concerts, 54 community events and fund raising concerts and 25 educational concerts. The Symphony has premiered 33 works by Jewish composers and works never before performed in America, as well as world premieres and Israeli premieres in Israel. LAJS has provided aspiring musicians of all ethnicities and backgrounds an opportunity to play with a full orchestra, and more than 12,000 students have participated in LAJS' music education programs. In May 2000, members of the Symphony performed two concerts in Israel with the New Symphony Orchestra of the Samuel Rubin Israel Academy of Music of Tel Aviv University. In recent years, Dr. Green has taken her unique programming and repertoires to South Africa, Canada, and Israel where she served as guest conductor for local orchestras. In September 2008, the Symphony was the featured performing arts group at the historic raising of the Israeli flag in front of the Israeli Consulate's building in Los Angeles. http://www.lajewishsymphony.org
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Dr. Noreen Green, LAJS Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor, is also music director at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, a renowned lecturer on Jewish music, and an accomplished educator. She is known world-wide for her knowledge and skill in presenting music with Jewish themes. Green has received public recognition for her outstanding contributions to the multi-cultural musical scene in Los Angeles by Congressman Brad Sherman and by the Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life. She has received the 'Jewish Cultural Star' award presented by the National Foundation of Jewish Culture at The Jewish Image Awards, the 'Golda Meir Award' from The State of Israel Bonds, the 'Hall of Fame Award' from the National Association of Women Business Owners and the 'Women of Significance Award' from Adat Ari El Sisterhood. She has been a featured speaker for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Upbeat Live series and conducted at the opening ceremonies of the 2001 Maccabi Games in Philadelphia. Dr. Green has been guest conductor for Jewish Music concerts with the Rubin Academy Orchestra in Tel Aviv, the Johannesburg Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony at the new performing arts center in Herzliyah and the Raanana Symphonette Under her baton, LAJS has performed in concert with Hollywood personalities including Billy Crystal, Tovah Feldshuh, Leonard Nimoy, Randy Newman, Theodore Bikel, Laraine Newman, Valerie Harper, Pat Boone, Lainie Kazan, Fyvush Finkel, Dave Koz, Marvin Hamlisch and others. During her tenure with the LAJS, Green, along with Education Director Ilizabeth Gilbert, has developed education programs initially funded by the New and Innovate Grants division of the Jewish Community Foundation. Several of these programs have gone on to receive funding from the Righteous Persons Foundation, the Maurice Amado Foundation, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, the Leonard and Susan Bay Nimoy Foundation and the Tel Aviv/Los Angeles Partnership. LAJS received a substantial education grant from the National Endowment of the Arts for its Patchwork of Cultures program which uses music to show the cultural bridge between the Sephardic Jewish and Hispanic communities. Green received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Music from the University of Southern California and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting at California State University, Northridge under conductor John Alexander. From 1981 to 1990, she was the conductor of the American Jewish Choral Society. As West Coast Music Director of the David Nowakowsky Foundation from 1992 to 1998, Green presented an annual concert series of the Nowakowsky Chorale. She wrote her doctoral treatise on the music of Nowakowsky, and went on to edit many of his works, ten of which have been published by Laurendale. From 1986 to 1992, Green was an Assistant Professor at CSUN and in the summer of 1993, she worked with conductor Murry Sidlin at the Aspen Music School. With his support and encouragement, she developed the concept for and founded the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony.
Celebrated vocalist, recording artist and two-time Grammy nominee Amick Byram sang the role of Moses in the animated feature film, The Prince of Egypt and on stage has performed in many productions including Phantom of the Opera, (Broadway and LA), Les Miserables, (West Coast Premiere at the Shubert Theater) in the roles of Marius and Enjolras, and Sunset Boulevard as Joe Gillis playing opposite Glenn Close. Byram is the recipient of two Grammy nominations for vocal jazz albums. Byram's voice is heard on Shrek, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Hercules, Mulan, El Dorado, and literally hundreds of other feature films. Byram can be heard on many television and radio commercials and singing voices in over 100 episodes of The Simpsons and The Family Guy. As an actor, he is recognized as Ian Troi, Counselor Troi's father from Star Trek, The Next Generation. Some of Byrams other television guest roles have been on Ally McBeal, Kristin, Frasier, Friends, Saved By the Bell, and Superior Court on which he appeared as a series regular for three seasons playing attorney Darrell Guillary. Byram is also a theatrical producer and director who has directed five world premieres of new musicals with budgets from one-half million dollars to eight million dollars and has produced theater regionally and at the John Houseman Theater in New York City. He is the Founding Producing Director of American Coast Theater Company in Costa Mesa, California and is a guest artist lecturer at colleges and universities.
Fifteen-year-old violin virtuoso Stephen Waarts started his violin studies at age 5 - and piano studies at age 8. He is a scholarship student in the San Francisco Conservatory Preparatory Division, where he currently studies violin and composition. Since January 2009, Waarts has studied with Alexander Barantschik, Concertmaster of San Francisco Symphony, and he also studies with Baroque violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock. This past November, Stephen won first prize in the 2010 International Louis Spohr Competition for young violinists, Junior Division, in Weimar, Germany, and also a special award for the best interpretation of a romantic concerto. In August 2010, Stephen won first prize in the International Summit Music Festival's Concerto competition, Junior Division, in New York. Last year, at age 13, he won second prize and the Ole Bull Prize in the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists in Oslo. Prior to that award, Waarts had won First Prize at a number of International and United States music competitions including the 2009 KDFC Classical Star Search Competition. He has played in a great number of master classes and private lessons of celebrated artists including Bruce Adolphe, Emanuel Borok, Efrem Briskin, Eugene Drucker, Jorja Fleezanis, Midori, Itzhak Perlman, Aaron Rosand, Philip Setzer, Axel Strauss and Ian Swensen. Accomplished in areas besides music, Waarts has won many national awards in math competitions.
THE VENUE AND TICKETS
The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.
The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle. FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area.
This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2011 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.
Tickets, priced at $36 and $25, and $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under, are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD). There is a 10 percent discount for groups of 8-15, 20 percent for groups of 16 or more.
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