Polina Shepherd

Sing with Me autumn run
2020-11-05 18:30 - 19:15, 2020-11-09 18:30 - 19:15, 2020-11-12 18:30 - 19:15, 2020-11-16 18:30 - 19:15 UTC
Sing with Me Russian & Yiddish Song Sessions Online are open to everyone.
2 November – 3 December, twice a week 10.30 am California / 1.30 pm New York/ 6.30 pm UK time / 7.30 pm most of Europe

Mondays for Yiddish, Thursdays for Russian songs.
A different song taught in every session, each meeting being 40 – 45 minutes.
No knowledge of languages is needed.
♦ NEW: in this run we add more focus on voice production and other stylistic elements of the songs.
A printable song sheet is uploaded to this page at least two hours before we start and shown on the screen during the sessions.
Videos are posted online afterwards.
Come to as many sessions as you like.
Payments are really appreciated but you can join us free of charge too.
Some songs will be introduced with optional harmony lines.
A Zoom link for each session, as well as a printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appears here minimum two hours before the session, as well as information about the song, sometimes with audio or video links. Occasionally we will repeat our most loved songs so please keep your eye on our repertoire and mark your favourites.
2 Nov. – SWM 81, Yiddish song, see past sessions page
5 Nov. – SWM 82, Russian song, see past sessions page
9 Nov. – SWM 83, Yiddish song
12 Nov. – SWM 84, Russian song
16 Nov. – SWM 85, Yiddish song
19 Nov. – SWM 86, Russian song
23 Nov. – SWM 87, Yiddish song
26 Nov. SWM 88, Russian song
30 Nov. – SWM 89, Yiddish song
3 Dec. – SWM 90, Russian song + final party.

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Online Yiddish Choir @ the Workers Circle
2020-11-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2020-11-18 08:00 - 17:00, 2020-12-02 18:00 - 19:30, 2020-12-09 18:00 - 19:30, 2020-12-16 18:00 - 19:30
Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm New York time – part of The Workers Circle Autumn Courses
October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16
Explore part of the rich cultural heritage of Yiddish songs that describe the history, memories and yearnings, journeys to freedom and love. They will range from old to new, from unknown to classics and from simple to challenging — and all will bring hope and power to our hearts.
Song sheets with music, transliterations and transliterations will be provided. Most songs will be introduced with 2-4 part vocal harmonies, though we won’t be able to sing together.
Open to all.
Stretch your vocal muscles with a charismatic leader and add your voice to the international chorus of Yiddish singers.
This will be a continuous course where we learn not just the songs but harmonies and parts. We won’t be able to hear everyone at the same time but we’ll think of some way of getting as close to being a choir as possible. If the groups feels inspired, we could create a music video of some other final product for our course. Let’s get creative! Registration here

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Sing with Me Autumn run
2020-11-19 18:30 - 19:15, 2020-11-23 18:30 - 19:15, 2020-11-26 18:30 - 19:15, 2020-11-30 18:30 - 19:15, 2020-12-03 18:30 - 19:15
Sing with Me Russian & Yiddish Song Sessions Online are open to everyone.
2 November – 3 December, twice a week 10.30 am California / 1.30 pm New York/ 6.30 pm UK time / 7.30 pm most of Europe

Mondays for Yiddish, Thursdays for Russian songs.
A different song taught in every session, each meeting being 40 – 45 minutes.
No knowledge of languages is needed.
♦ NEW: in this run we add more focus on voice production and other stylistic elements of the songs.
A printable song sheet is uploaded to this page at least two hours before we start and shown on the screen during the sessions.
Videos are posted online afterwards.
Come to as many sessions as you like.
Payments are really appreciated but you can join us free of charge too.
Some songs will be introduced with optional harmony lines.
A Zoom link for each session, as well as a printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appears here minimum two hours before the session, as well as information about the song, sometimes with audio or video links. Occasionally we will repeat our most loved songs so please keep your eye on our repertoire and mark your favourites.
2 Nov. – SWM 81, Yiddish song, see past sessions page5 Nov. – SWM 82, Russian song, see past sessions page
9 Nov. – SWM 83, Yiddish song
12 Nov. – SWM 84, Russian song
16 Nov. – SWM 85, Yiddish song
19 Nov. – SWM 86, Russian song
23 Nov. – SWM 87, Yiddish song
26 Nov. SWM 88, Russian song
30 Nov. – SWM 89, Yiddish song
3 Dec. – SWM 90, Russian song + final party.

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NMISHI YORO Radio 001
2020-11-21 09:45 - 11:00
http://nmishiyoro.co.uk/index.php/radio/
Join us for our radio launch on 21 November, Saturday at 09.45 AM GMT.
The current programme includes Yiddish-Russian choral projects, Persian Classical and traditional Chinese instrumentation among others.
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Detour Books conversation with Lorin Sklamberg and Polina Shepherd on 150 Voices
2020-11-27 | Online
Join us at http://detourbooks.com with 150 Voices project organizers Polina Shepherd and Lorin Sklamberg in conversation with Zeke Levine on Detour Books Forum. Starts Friday November 27th and will be on view into 2021.

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WEIHNUKKA collaborative concert in Hamburg, Germany + online
2020-11-28 21:00 - 22:30
WEIHNUKKA: WEIHNUKKA – als Stream online!
STELLA’S MORGENSTERN,
POLINA SHEPHERD (GB/RU), UND MERLIN SHEPHERD (UK),
KARSTEN TROYKE UND DANIEL WELTLINGER 7 pm UK time

Jüdische Weihnachtsmusik als Livestream!

Juden, die Weihnachten feiern? In vielen jüdischen Familien im Deutschland des 19. Jahrhunderts war das überhaupt keine Frage. Erstaunlich, dass dieser Teil der gemeinsamen Kulturgeschichte heute nahezu vergessen ist. Schließlich konnten Juden in Deutschland Weihnachten nur feiern, weil das Fest neben seiner religiösen Bedeutung irgendwann auch zur allgemeinen Kultur wurde. Und diese kulturelle Praxis konnte über religiöse Zughörigkeiten hinweg auch eine Gemeinsschaft stiften.Es hätte eine charmante deutsch–christlich-jüdische Symbiose werden können. Es hätte – denn diese zarte Wurzel einer neubegründeten Tradition wurde durch den Nationalsozialismus und den Holocaust schwer beschädigt.
Aus diesem Anlass möchte das Hamburger Ensemble „Stella‘s Morgenstern“ gemeinsam mit Polina Shepherd (GB/RU) , Karsten Troyke (DE) und Daniel Weltlinger (AU/HU/DE) im Goldbekhaus am 28.11.2020 zum Weihnukka-Konzert einladen. Gemeinsam begeben sich die Musiker auf die Spuren von Weihnukka:
Stella‘s Morgenstern (Stella Jürgensen, Andreas hecht + prof*merose) hat Traditionelles, Unbekanntes und Neues ausgewählt, setzt auf mehrere Sprachen und Vielsaitigkeit. Die Musiker haben auch eigene Weihnukkalieder geschrieben oder finden beschwingte Arrangements für traditionelle Channukkalieder.
Polina Shepherd(RU/GB) wuchs auf in Sibirien Sie spezialisierte sich früh auf das breitgefächerte Repertoire osteuropäischer Volkslieder, jiddischer Folksongs und jüdischer Gebete und dessen spezifischen Ornamentierungen.
Karsten Troyke (DE) galt schon zu DDR-Zeiten als einer der bemerkenswertesten Interpreten des jiddischen Liedes aus Deutschland.
Daniel Weltlinger (AU/HU/DE) ist Geiger und Komponist. Er wurde in Sydney geboren und stammt aus einer französisch-österreichisch-ungarisch-israelischen Familie. Weltlinger steht für seinen unverwechselbaren warmen Klang und seine Innovationen in den Genres Gypsie-Swing, Jazz, Yiddish-Klezmer und experimentelle/frei-improvisierte Musik.
Gefördert vom Bezirksamt Hamburg Nord, der Initiative Musik und dem Bundesamt für Kultur und Medien

Polina Shepherd (RU/GB) wuchs in Sibirien auf. Sie spezialisierte sich früh auf das breitgefächerte Repertoire osteuropäischer Volkslieder, jiddischer Folksongs und jüdischer Gebete und dessen spezifischen Ornamentierungen. Sie sang in der russischen Band „Simcha“, der ersten Klezmerband Russlands, die sich nach 60 Jahren Verbot formiert hatte. Polina, die heute in Großbritannien lebt, tourt international als jiddische und russische Sängerin. Neben internationalen Konzerten lehrt sie Jiddische Musik auf Festivals und ist auch als Chorleiterin weltweit gefragt. https://www.polinashepherd.co.uk/Merlin Shepherd (GB) ist international anerkannter Musiker, Komponist und Dozent. Er konzipierte eine individuelle Unterrichts-Methode, die auf orales Musikverständnis setzt, also das Musizieren nach Gehör. Seine Methode haben viele renommierten Pädagogen übernommen. Er war musikalischer Leiter des Royal National Theatre, der Royal Shakespeare Company and des Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. Außerdem fungierte er als Berater für traditionelle jiddische Musik für Anski’s „The Dybbuk“ an der Royal Shakespeare Company.
Karsten Troyke (DE) galt schon zu DDR-Zeiten als einer der bemerkenswertesten Interpreten des jiddischen Liedes aus Deutschland. Ihm wird nachgesagt, daß er mit schwierigsten Texten und ambivalenten Gefühlslagen spielen kann. Als Entertainer, Schauspieler und Sänger nutzt Troyke differnzierte Ausdrucksformen und man nie genau weiß, wie ernst oder ironisch er einen Text nimmt. Beklemmendes kann er mit Leichtigkeit bringen und Humor kann zu Tränen rühren. Als ein Botschafter des Jiddischen Liedes bereiste er viele Länder Europas, Nordamerika und Israel. https://karsten-troyke.de
Daniel Weltlinger (AU/HU/DE) ist Geiger und Komponist. E wurde in Sydney geboren und stammt aus einer französisch-österreichisch-ungarisch-israelischen Familie. Weltlinger steht für seinen unverwechselbaren warmen Klang und seine Innovationen in den Genres Gypsie-Swing, Jazz, Yiddish-Klezmer und experimentelle/frei-improvisierte Musik. Als Absolvent des Sydney Conservatory of Music ist er in unzähligen großen Konzertsälen, Theatern, Clubs und Festivals in Australien, Europa, China, Marokko, der Türkei, den USA und Israel aufgetreten. http://danielweltlinger.com/
Stella Jürgensen (Gesang, Autoharp, Ukulele) hat sich auf Weltmusik und Volkslieder spezialisiert. Markenzeichen ist ihre tiefe Altstimme, die sie narrativ einsetzt. Sie singt auch Chansons, Blues, Swing und Folk. Sie ist außerdem Moderatorin und Sprecherin für TV- und Radio-Produktionen (u.a. für die Tagesschau in der ARD). Mit dem Orchester „Musica Assoluta“ unter Leitnug von Thorsten Encke präsentierte sie 2017 als Uraufführung dessen Komposition mit Bonhoeffer-Texten. https://stellasmorgenstern.de/
Andreas Hecht (Gesang, Gitarre, Lautengitarre) studierte klassische Gitarre in Hamburg und spezialisierte sich zunächst auf Flamenco und spanisch-orientalische Genres. Später widmete er sich der Musik Lateinamerikas und tourte mit der chilenischen Sängerin Patricia Salas. Genauso versiert ist Andreas Hecht in Genres wie Folk, Blues, Tango, Latin und Country Das, verbunden mit seiner klassischen Spieltechnik, ist sein Markenzeichen.
prof*merose ist ein leidenschaftlicher israelischer Liedermacher, Zeichner und Maler, der in Hamburg und Tel Aviv lebt.

Kultur kostet Geld – wir freuen uns auf Ihre Spende an
paypal.me/stellajuergensen

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Yiddish Song: Step Forverts ONLINE dedication to A. Gendler
2020-11-29 17:00 - 18:30
An online event in continuation to Yiddish song: Step Forverts project, this event will be dedicated to Arkady Gendler, the legendary Yiddish singer from Ukraine. A collaboration with Efim Chorny (Moldova). A talk with performances from guest singers. More TBA. ONLINE in Facebook here
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The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene Chanukah Spectacular
2020-12-08 00:00 - 02:00 | Online
The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene Presents: Folksbiene Chanukah Spectacular
An Evening of Music, Comedy, and Community Featuring 50+ Stars from Across the Globe, From Broadway to the Yiddish Stage
—With Cameo Appearances from Australia, Japan, Romania, Israel, Moldova, Canada, The Netherlands, Great Britain, and artists from across the USA —
—Special Greetings From Carol Burnett and Cameo Appearances by Emanuel Azenberg, Mayim Bialik, Billy Crystal, Tovah Feldshuh, Beanie Feldstein, Joel Grey, Jackie Hoffman, Carol Kane, Barry Manilow, Mandy Patinkin, Itzhak Perlman, Eleanor Reissa, Neil Sedaka, Steven Skybell, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and Jerry Zaks—
—With Geni Brenda (Romania), Mendy Cahan (Israel), Yefim Chorny (Moldova), Josh Dolgin (Canada), Suzanna Ghergus (Moldova), Miwazow Kogure (Japan), Shura Lipovsky (The Netherlands), Freydi Mrocki (Australia), Polina Shepherd (Russia / Great Britain), and Merlin Shepherd (Great Britain)—
—Only available at NYTF.org for viewing for 96 hours after the event—
(New York, NY)—Yiddish song, dance, comedy and celebration – from across the globe – come together when The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene presents a Folksbiene Chanukah Spectacular this December, featuring an international array of more than 50 stars – from Broadway to the Yiddish stage.
This curtain rises on this unprecedented event on December 8th at 7:00 PM, kicking off with an international opening number celebrating Yiddish theatre and much more. The cavalcade of cameo celebrity appearances makes this the must-see celebration to launch the Festival of Lights.
This gala is a benefit for the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene through permission from Theatre Authority, Inc. The event will be free to the public, with registration required, and opportunities to donate throughout. Afterwards, the celebration will only be available for viewing for 96 hours!
The spectacular is produced and directed by Adam B. Shapiro, one of the stars of the celebrated, award-winning Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish.
“You cannot spell fundraiser without f-u-n, and that’s what the evening is about,” Shapiro says. “We’ve enlisted stars from here at home and across the world, and from renowned and award-winning Folksbiene productions like Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, The Golden Bride, The Sorceress, Hannah Senesh, and Soul to Soul. Tune in to see a tribute to the golden age of musical theatre, hilarious sketch comedy routines, beautiful song, dance, and so much more.”
“We’re excited to present this exceptional Yiddish celebration, bringing together Yiddish Ambassadors from across the globe, from across the United States to as far away as Australia,” Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director, and Dominick Balletta, Executive Director. “This will be a theatrical experience like no other – presented virtually so that families and communities across the world can enjoy together.”
The spectacular will feature musical segments, comedy, and special guest appearances. Included in the program will be a performance by 18 children, some of whom are members of the Children’s Choir from Tzipporei Shalom of Congregation Beth Shalom in Teaneck, NJ, whose conductors are Cantor Ronit Wolff Hanan and Adina Avery-Grossman, of A Regynboygn (A Rainbow), a song written by Mike Menachem Fox, from the Folksbiene’s children’s show Kids and Yiddish, directed by Joanne H. Borts, and a grand finale featuring over 50 artists from around the world celebrating Chanukah online together in song.
The event is free – though viewers are encouraged to donate and must register at https://nytf.org/spectacular/. And, Folksbiene also will host a special pre-show Zoom cocktail party (featuring Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish’s breakout star Steven Skybell and Folksbiene Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek – at 6:15 PM for donors (and those who donate at certain levels will have special appetizers deliver from the Lox Cafe to nosh on during the event). For more information on this special pre-show event, please contact Joseph Mace at jmace@nytf.org.
Yiddish has a global reach, with friends of the Yiddish theater around the world. On December 8th, the Folksbiene will have cameo greetings from: Geni Brenda (Romania), Mendy Cahan (Israel), Yefim Chorny (Moldova), Josh Dolgin (Canada), Suzanna Ghergus (Moldova), Daniel Kahn (Germany), Miwazow Kogure (Japan), Shura Lipovsky (The Netherlands), Freydi Mrocki (Australia), Polina Shepherd (Great Britain), and Merlin Shepherd (Great Britain).
The evening will also include special cameo greetings by: Emanuel Azenberg, Mayim Bialik, Carol Burnett (an audio appearance), Billy Crystal, Tovah Feldshuh, Beanie Feldstein, Joel Grey, Jackie Hoffman, Carol Kane, Barry Manilow, Mandy Patinkin, Itzhak Perlman, Eleanor Reissa, Neil Sedaka, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and Jerry Zaks, many of whom attended Folksbiene’s hit production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, plus Steven Skybell, the award-winning actor who played Tevye.
Other participants from Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish are: Jennifer Babiak, Joanne Borts, Lisa Fishman, Kirk Geritano, Abby Goldfarb, Samantha Hahn, Cameron Johnson, Daniel Kahn, Ben Liebert, Stephanie Lynne Mason, Rosie Jo Neddy, Raquel Nobile, Bruce Sabath, Kayleen Seidl, Drew Seigla, Adam B. Shapiro, Jodi Snyder, Lauren Jeanne Thomas, Bobby Underwood, and Rachel Zatcoff.
Also participating are Folksbiene Associate Artistic Director Motl Didner, Richard Kass, Heather Klein, Zalmen Mlotek, Daniella Rabbani, and Dinah Slepovitch. From the cast of Soul to Soul, Folksbiene’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend program, Senior Cantor at B’nai Torah Congregation Magda Fishman, Brian Glassman, Elmore James, Tony Perry, D. Zisl Slepovitch and Matt Temkin will appear.
Plus, look for the stars of Folksbiene’s New York Times Critic’s Pick The Sorceress: Mikhl Yashinsky, Jonathan Brody, Rebecca Brudner, Jazmin Gorsline, Dylan Seders Hoffman and Lexi Rabadi (also star of Folksbiene’s production of Hannah Senesh).
Tatiana Wechsler, who was recently in the gender-bending, historic performance of Oklahoma at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, will perform a special number with Frank London of the Klezmatics.
About The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene
Now entering its 106th season, Tony Award-nominated and Drama Desk Award-winning National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) is the longest consecutively producing theatre in the U.S. and the world’s oldest continuously operating Yiddish theatre company. NYTF, which presented the award-winning Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, directed by Joel Grey, to sold-out audiences before it moved to Off-Broadway uptown, is in residence at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek and Executive Director Dominick Balletta, NYTF is dedicated to creating a living legacy through the arts, connecting generations, and bridging communities. NYTF aims to bring history to life by reviving and restoring lost and forgotten work, commissioning new work, and adapting pre-existing work for the 21st Century. Serving a diverse audience comprised of performing arts patrons, cultural enthusiasts, Yiddish-language aficionados, and the general public, the company presents plays, musicals, concerts, lectures, interactive educational workshops, and community-building activities in English and Yiddish, with English and Russian supertitles accompanying performances. NYTF provides access to a century-old cultural legacy and inspires the imaginations of the next generation to contribute to this valuable body of work. Learn more at www.nytf.org.
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Conversations for The Manchester Jewish Museum: What Does the Future Sound Like?
2020-12-10 - 2020-12-15
What Does the Future Sound Like with The Manchester Jewish Museum

Videos released from 10 – 15 December 2020 (there will be no film on the Saturday)

Online. Free (donations encouraged)

SIGN UP HERE

Discover the diversity of Jewish music and meet some of the emerging stars of the UK Jewish music scene through a series of digital films released over the first 6 days of Chanukah.
Join musician Francesca Ter-Berg and producer Laura Seddon for our series of compact, challenging and joyfully musical conversations with special guests Carol Isaacs, Anna Lowenstein, Polina Shepherd and Ana Silvera. Together they explore transforming traditions and creating their own musical identities as they access memory and cultural histories to imagine the future.
Sign up to receive a daily musical film treat into your inbox as we release the five short films over the first six days of the festival of Chanukah (10–15 December, there will be no film on the Saturday).
EARLY BIRD PRIZE: There’s a treat in store for anyone who books by Monday 7 December. Advance bookers will receive an extra special Chanukah gift in the post from artist and illustrator Sophie Herxheimer. Book early to receive your gift!
Whether you’re a new music fan, new-wave Klezmer aficionado or just want to learn more about what’s happening now in the British Jewish music scene, this is an opportunity to get up and close with the female music artists on the front line.
(Feature image credit: Francesca Ter-Berg by Iggy Crespo)

Francesca Ter-Berg

Francesca Ter-Berg is a multi- disciplinary artist, songwriter and composer known for her unique cello style and being one half of critically acclaimed duo Fran & Flora. (Photo credit: Benjamin Bowles).
www.francescaterberg.com

Anna Silvera

Ana Silvera is a London-born singer-songwriter and composer whose folk and blue-grass tinged tunes draw on folklore, myth and her own eventful life.
www.anasilvera.com

Anna Lowenstein

A classically trained violinist, composer and Manchester University graduate, Anna Lowenstein has made a great impact on the UK Klezmer scene, touring across the UK.
www.annalowenstein.com

Polina Shepherd

Internationally renowned Siberian-born singer and choir leader Polina Shepherd brings the songs of the Steppes and the Shtetl up to date with passion and haunting soul. (Photo credit: Janusz Paliwoda)
www.polinashepherd.co.uk

Carol Isaacs

An accomplished keyboard player, accordionist, cartoonist and author of graphic memoir The Wolf in Bahgdad, Carol Isaacs is a founder member of the London Klezmer Quartet and Hamsa. (Photo credit: Mika Schick)
www.thewolfofbaghdad.wordpress.com
https://www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com/event/what-does-the-future-sound-like/

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The Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, Montreal, in celebrating the Festival of Lights
2020-12-16 00:00 - 2020-12-17 01:30
Join the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre in celebrating the Festival of Lights with a unique 2020 virtual edition of our annual Lyrics & Latkes Chanukah event!
ONLINE

Come celebrate the holidays with us on Facebook and YouTube next Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Along with our beloved DWYT singers, we are featuring special appearances from local and international guest artists, including Shura Lipovsky (Netherlands), Polina Shepherd (UK), Efim Chorny (Moldova), and from Montreal, Cantor Adam Stotland, Josh “Socalled” Dolgin and Henri Oppenheim.

So light your candles, fry your latkes, gather ’round the laptop, and together we’ll enjoy cherished Yiddish songs and bring some light to the longest nights of the year.

No tickets needed! This is a free virtual event to bring some Chanukah joy to your homes! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/39THhC0

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SOAS Winter Schools course. Yiddish Songs
2021-01-04 18:00 - 2021-01-08 19:15
Dates: Monday 4th – Friday 8th January, 2020, 6-7.15pm BOOK HERE
Course Fee: £65 (or £15 per session if booked as a ‘one off’)

Yiddish, the 1000-year-old language of the Jews of Eastern Europe, is flourishing, as people young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish, explore its rich cultural heritage. Some of the songs come from the Yiddish theatre and cinema or describe the diverse lives of Jewish people across Eastern and Central Europe and all the countries they have emigrated to – their history, hopes, memories, politics, celebrations and resistance to oppression. Others are are spiritual and liturgical, particularly the nign – a melody that is believed to change consciousness. Join us in singing traditional and new Yiddish songs while also paying attention to the specific elements (ornamentation, phrasing, modes) of this singing style.
With Polina Skovoroda-Shepherd

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SOAS Winter Schools, Russian Winter Songs Online
2021-01-04 19:30 - 2021-01-08 20:45
Book here
Dates: Monday 4th – Friday 8th Jan 2021, 7.30pm – 8.45pm
Course Fee: £65 (or £15 per session if booked as a ‘one off’)
Russian songs present an amazing variety of musical styles, as endless as the snowy steppes and pine forests of Siberia. Each song in this course will represent another style and will sound like nothing else. We are lucky to have the Russian Christmas right in the middle of our week, celebrated on 7 January. To mark this, we will sing the traditional “kolyadkas” – short songs with origins in ancient pagan rituals that became part of the Christmas tradition over the centuries. We will also dip our toes into the magic of the Christmas fortune-telling that is always accompanied by a song. We will add some Russian Art songs (with sub-categories like The City Romance, The Cruel Romance and The Gypsy Romance) to the mix, plus folklore: lyrical songs, love songs, dance songs, – all sung in different vocal manners and with a variety of stylistic elements that will certainly enrich your musical palette. Make sure to have a decorated fir tree on the background! No knowledge of Russian is needed. Learning by ear and with sheet music. Open to all.

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A workshop for the Natural Voice Network
2021-01-09, 2021-01-16 - 2021-01-17
NVN Annual Gathering 2021 – 8-10 and 16-17 January

Arrangements for the first online NVN Annual Gathering are currently underway. This event will take place in January, held over two weekends, and will enable members living overseas or those with caring responsibilities to attend, often for the first time.
There will be a wide-ranging programme of workshops, which is still being finalised. There are keynote workshops from Camilo Menjura and Polina Shepherd on the two Saturdays, (Polina’s being on Saturday the 16th, 2.30pm) plus a whole host of other exciting sessions!
Proposed dates and times:

Friday 8th January – evening
Saturday 9th January – morning
Sunday 10th January – afternoon and evening
Saturday 16th January – afternoon
Sunday 17th January – morning
Sunday 17th January – evening party

The link to book your ticket is here.
Please ensure you also complete the booking form.
Thank you! We look forward to welcoming you to our first online Annual Gathering ever!

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Merlin & Polina Shepherd concert ONLINE
2021-01-09 19:00 - 20:15
Merlin & Polina Shepherd perform a Duo concert for the Richmond Synagogue, event open to public.
BOOK HERE

Light up the new 2021 with a lovely treat.
Merlin & Polina Shepherd perform together in a way that is rarely encountered.
They play music from several linked cultures and incorporate improvisation, freedom and spontaneity. With a unique approach and dynamic, they perform klezmer and Russian music.
They weave a sound that moves the listener physically, emotionally and spiritually.

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The Crow’s Tale by String Theatre - online show
2021-01-16 16:15 - 17:00, 2021-01-17 16:15 - 17:00
The Crow’s Tale by String Theatre – online show
16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 January 4:15- 5:00 pm GMT
The Crow’s Tale tells a Native American story of a Crow with colourful rainbow feathers that flies to the sun to save the world. With a soundtrack of achingly beautiful original music with Polina Shepherd as the Crow’s voice going up to B6, and accompanied by an original text, The Crow’s Tale is a piece of moving and heartwarming puppetry guaranteed to delight adults and children alike. Watch trailer here. 4:15- 5:00 pm GMT, book here

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HMD 2021 with Friends of the GREAT BRITISH HOME CHORUS
2021-01-17 16:30 - 17:30
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2021
with
POLINA SHEPHERD & FRIENDS OF THE GREAT BRITISH HOME CHORUS
ONLINE
The Friends of the Great British Home Chorus is a virtual choir, inspired by the run by TV’s Gareth Malone GBHC in the first lockdown. To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which falls on 27 January, they will be learning a Yiddish song and recording their individual voices into a choral performance accompanied by photographs of the singers lighting a candle. They will also watch a live survivor testimony over Zoom.
The song is Ver firt die ale shifn (“Who guides all the ships?”): a Yiddish poem by Zishe Landau set to music by Chava Alberstein, daughter of Holocaust survivors. The song, about lost children, has been recorded by Lorin Sklamberg and the Klezmatics. The 4-part arrangement is by Lorin Sklamberg, adapted for SATB choir by internationally renowned Yiddish singer Polina Shepherd, who will lead and take part in the performance.
There will be a final rehearsal with Polina at 16.30 GMT on Sunday 17 January (and preliminary rehearsals during January with musician Jane Ward) after which singers will submit their voice recordings to be mixed.
To take part in this project click this link and ask to join the Friends of the GBHC:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreatBritishHomeChorusFriends
Contact Polina about joining if you are not on Facebook.
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Sing with Me Russian & Yiddish Song Sessions Online 91
2021-01-18 18:30 - 19:15
18 January – 18 February
Sing with Me Russian & Yiddish Song Sessions Online.

Learn a song in a 40 minute session, be part of a wonderful and easy-going international group of singers. Learn about context and history of the songs.
WATCH and read about previous sessions here.
Project web page is here
To sign please write to me up via my website.

Sing with Me Russian & Yiddish Song Sessions Online are open to everyone.

Twice a week 10.30 am California / 1.30 pm New York/ 6.30 pm UK time / 7.30 pm most of Europe

Mondays for Yiddish, Thursdays for Russian songs.
A different song taught in every session, each meeting being 40 – 45 minutes.
No knowledge of languages is needed.
A printable song sheet is uploaded to this page at least two hours before we start and shown on the screen during the sessions.
Videos are posted online afterwards.
Come to as many sessions as you like.
Payments are really appreciated but you can join us free of charge too.
Some songs will be introduced with optional harmony lines.
A Zoom link for each session, as well as a printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appears here minimum two hours before the session, as well as information about the song, sometimes with audio or video links. Occasionally we will repeat our most loved songs so please keep your eye on our repertoire and mark your favourites.

Winter block dates:
Mo 18 January – SWM 91 – Yiddish song
Th 21 January – SWM 92 – Russian song
Mo 25 January – SWM 93 – Yiddish song
Th 28 January – SWM 94 – Russian song
Mo 1 February – SWM 95 – Yiddish song
Th 4 February – SWM 96 – Russian song
Mo 8 February – SWM 97 – Yiddish song
Th 11 February – SWM 98 – Russian song
Mo 15 February – SWM 99 – Yiddish songs
Th 18 February – SWM 100 – Russian songs

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