Polina Shepherd

Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - Calais, VT
2023-07-12 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

7:00pm

Calais, VT – Maple Corner Community Center, 84 W County Rd
The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France.
Admission is by donation at the door.
For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations.
VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa.
Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - Haverhill-NH
2023-07-13 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

7:00pm

Haverhill, NH – Alumni Hall, 75 Court St
The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France.
Admission is by donation at the door.
For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations.
VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa.
Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - Norwich, VT
2023-07-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Halifax)
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

7:00pm

Friday, July 14, 7:00pm: Norwich, VT – Congregational Church, 15 Church St
The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France.
Admission is by donation at the door.
For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations.
VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa.
Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble – South Hero, VT
2023-07-15 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax)
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

South Hero, VT – Congregational Church, 24 South S

The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France.
Admission is by donation at the door.
For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations.
VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa.
Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.
Related Images:

Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - Montpelier, VT
2023-07-16 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax)
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

Sunday, July 16, 3:00pm: Montpelier, VT – Unitarian Church, 130 Main St
The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France.
Admission is by donation at the door.
For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations.
VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa.
Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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Caravan Orchestra and Choir - Haifa
2023-07-23 - 2023-07-30
23 July – 16 August
Haifa, Israel and several cities in Germany
Caravan Orchestra and Choir project
Caravan Orchestra and Choir is an exchange project between Yiddish Summer Weimar and the Department of Music of אוניברסיטת חיפה – University of Haifa, in cooperation with the International Office University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar. It explores connections between Ashkenazic Jewish (Yiddish) and Arab music and study forms, context and performance philosophy with similar approach to improvisation, ornamentation, modality… The project will rehearse and perform in Haifa, Israel, in the first week and then move to Germany for rehearsals and concerts.
Young musicians from Israel and Germany apply for a 3 week residency in Haifa and Weimar, with an intensive rehearsal period and concerts in both countries, as well as fun social activities, workshops and excursions.

Together with the artistic directors, participants explore both East European Jewish (Yiddish), East Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music traditions. It is the synthesis of those cultures that makes the sound of the Caravan Orchestra so unique.
Join us this year!
Full information here: https://caravanorchestra.eu/

Related Images:

Caravan Orchestra and Choir in Germany
2023-07-30 - 2023-08-08
23 July – 12 August
Haifa, Israel and several cities in Germany
Caravan Orchestra and Choir project
Caravan Orchestra and Choir is an exchange project between Yiddish Summer Weimar and the Department of Music of אוניברסיטת חיפה – University of Haifa, in cooperation with the International Office University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar. It explores connections between Ashkenazic Jewish (Yiddish) and Arab music and study forms, context and performance philosophy with similar approach to improvisation, ornamentation, modality… The project will rehearse and perform in Haifa, Israel, in the first week and then move to Germany for rehearsals and concerts.
Young musicians from Israel and Germany apply for a 3 week residency in Haifa and Weimar, with an intensive rehearsal period and concerts in both countries, as well as fun social activities, workshops and excursions.

Together with the artistic directors, participants explore both East European Jewish (Yiddish), East Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music traditions. It is the synthesis of those cultures that makes the sound of the Caravan Orchestra so unique.

Full information here: https://caravanorchestra.eu

Concerts in Germany:

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 Germany, Erfurt, Thuringian State Parliament, evening, time to be announced
Thursday, August 10th, Germany, Eisenach, Wandelhalle, time to be announced
Friday. August 11th, Leipzig, Marktplatz, Leipziger Markt Musik, 5:00 PM, free admission
Saturday, August 12th, Germany, Weimar, Herderplatz, double bill with KaraYam, evening, time to be announced

This year’s Caravan Orchestra and Choir Music Directors:

Polina Shepherd – Russia/UK
Çiğdem Aslan – Turkey/UK
Asineth Fotini Kokkala – Greece/Turkey
Christian Dawid – Germany

Related Images:

Caravan Orchestra & Choir with International Leaders concert
2023-07-30 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Department of Music of the University of Haifa, Israel
Caravan Orchestra & Choir with International Leaders concert in Haifa. Venue: Department of Music, School of Arts, University of Haifa
6 PM. Free admission.
This concert will present some of this year’s Caravan Orchestra and Choir repertoire as well as solo performances by the music directors. Part of Yiddish Summer Weimar

Polina Shepherd – Russia/UK
Çiğdem Aslan – Turkey/UK
Asineth Fotini Kokkala – Greece/Turkey
Christian Dawid – Germany

Caravan Orchestra and Choir is an exchange project between Yiddish Summer Weimar and the Department of Music of אוניברסיטת חיפה – University of Haifa, in cooperation with the International Office University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar. It explores connections between Ashkenazic Jewish (Yiddish) and Arab music and study forms, context and performance philosophy with similar approach to improvisation, ornamentation, modality… The project will rehearse and perform in Haifa, Israel, in the first week and then move to Germany for rehearsals and concerts.
Young musicians from Israel and Germany apply for a 3 week residency in Haifa and Weimar, with an intensive rehearsal period and concerts in both countries, as well as fun social activities, workshops and excursions.
Together with the artistic directors, participants explore both East European Jewish (Yiddish), East Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music traditions. It is the synthesis of those cultures that makes the sound of the Caravan Orchestra so unique.

Full information about the project here: https://caravanorchestra.eu

Related Images:

Caravan Orchestra & Choir concert in Erfurt, Germany
2023-08-09 20:00 - 22:00 UTC
Concerts in Germany:

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 Germany, Erfurt, Thuringian State Parliament, evening, time to be announced
Thursday, August 10th, Germany, Eisenach, Wandelhalle, time to be announced
Friday. August 11th, Leipzig, Marktplatz, Leipziger Markt Musik, 5:00 PM, free admission
Saturday, August 12th, Germany, Weimar, Herderplatz, double bill with KaraYam, evening, time to be announced

Caravan Orchestra and Choir is an exchange project between Yiddish Summer Weimar and the Department of Music of אוניברסיטת חיפה – University of Haifa, in cooperation with the International Office University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar. It explores connections between Ashkenazic Jewish (Yiddish) and Arab music and study forms, context and performance philosophy with similar approach to improvisation, ornamentation, modality… The project will rehearse and perform in Haifa, Israel, in the first week and then move to Germany for rehearsals and concerts.
Young musicians from Israel and Germany apply for a 3 week residency in Haifa and Weimar, with an intensive rehearsal period and concerts in both countries, as well as fun social activities, workshops and excursions.

Together with the artistic directors, participants explore both East European Jewish (Yiddish), East Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music traditions. It is the synthesis of those cultures that makes the sound of the Caravan Orchestra so unique.

Full information here: https://caravanorchestra.eu

This year’s Caravan Orchestra and Choir Music Directors:

Polina Shepherd – Russia/UK
Çiğdem Aslan – Turkey/UK
Asineth Fotini Kokkala – Greece/Turkey
Christian Dawid – Germany

Related Images:

Caravan Orchestra & Choir concert in Eisenach, Germany
2023-08-10 20:00 - 22:00 UTC
Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 Germany, Erfurt, Thuringian State Parliament, evening, time to be announced
Thursday, August 10th, Germany, Eisenach, Wandelhalle, time to be announced
Friday. August 11th, Leipzig, Marktplatz, Leipziger Markt Musik, 5:00 PM, free admission
Saturday, August 12th, Germany, Weimar, Herderplatz, double bill with KaraYam, evening, time to be announced

Caravan Orchestra and Choir is an exchange project between Yiddish Summer Weimar and the Department of Music of אוניברסיטת חיפה – University of Haifa, in cooperation with the International Office University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar. It explores connections between Ashkenazic Jewish (Yiddish) and Arab music and study forms, context and performance philosophy with similar approach to improvisation, ornamentation, modality… The project will rehearse and perform in Haifa, Israel, in the first week and then move to Germany for rehearsals and concerts.
Young musicians from Israel and Germany apply for a 3 week residency in Haifa and Weimar, with an intensive rehearsal period and concerts in both countries, as well as fun social activities, workshops and excursions.

Together with the artistic directors, participants explore both East European Jewish (Yiddish), East Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music traditions. It is the synthesis of those cultures that makes the sound of the Caravan Orchestra so unique.

Full information here: https://caravanorchestra.eu

This year’s Caravan Orchestra and Choir Music Directors:

Polina Shepherd – Russia/UK
Çiğdem Aslan – Turkey/UK
Asineth Fotini Kokkala – Greece/Turkey
Christian Dawid – Germany

Related Images:

Caravan Orchestra & Choir concert in Leipzig, Germany
2023-08-11 20:00 - 22:00 UTC

Caravan Orchestra & Choir concert in Weimar, Germany
2023-08-12 20:00 - 22:00 UTC

KlezKanada - Quebec.
2023-08-23 - 2023-08-29
KlezKanada Website here

This year, we’ll be offering a focus on filmmaking! Our program will include filmmaking workshops, film scoring workshops, a concert-screening from Merlin and Polina Shepherd’s Sound and Light Cinematic Duo, and more.

As part of our commitment to keeping our community safe, our 2023 in-person Summer Retreat will again include COVID-19 safety protocols.

We are committed to continuing our digital programming. Over the last three years, we have experienced the power of digital spaces to offer world-class and affordable educational programs, increase accessibility, and bring people together across distances. Look for announcements about our 2023 digital programs coming soon!

Full programme here

More here.

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NEW CHOIR opening in London - Slavic Voices
2023-09-14 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
NEW CHOIR! Opening in September in London and Brighton & Hove

Slavic Voices is open to singers of all backgrounds.
It presents music of all styles from the Slavic world: Orthodox chants, beautiful classics by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and others, refined XVIII-XIX-centuries Art song and gritty folklore from the far corners of Siberia to the banks of the Black Sea. The repertoire is sung mainly in Russian but also in Ukrainian, Belorussian, occasional Bulgarian, Polish, Czech, and adding a guest visit by a song in Yiddish or Georgian. No knowledge of the languages is required.

Join us on the journey to explore and share this culturally unique and musically diverse repertoire with the wide world. We will perform at festivals and choral events, present our own concerts and collaborations with choirs and instrumentalists several times a year.
Led by Polina Skovoroda-Shepherd, granddaughter of a Cossack, an internationally acclaimed performer, educator and cultural activist.

BRIGHTON & HOVE rehearsal term: 10 weekly sessions from 19 September till 21 November – Tuesdays, 6-8pm in central Brighton.
Fees: Taster session for people who haven’t sung in Polina’s choirs is free. Full term fee including online service charge £75 here.
Cash and cheque payments of £70 for the term are accepted as well as online payments in some cases. Please get in touch to book your space.
More information and joining here.
Related Images:

NEW CHOIR opening in Brighton - Slavic Voices
2023-09-19 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Brighton Unitarian Church

Sing with Me - 139 ONLINE
2023-09-20 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online
Sing with Me had 138 online singing sessions during the pandemic. Some of our international group (USA, UK, Germany, Brazil, The United Arab Emirates, France, Iceland…) met in person since but this is our virtual reunion. It is open to anyone who would like to learn a Yiddish and a Russian song in a friendly session.
See more about SWM here. 6-7pm UK time.
Sing with Me Yiddish Song Sessions Online open to everyone.

New songs in every session.
Learn about cultural context and style.
No knowledge of Yiddish or other languages is needed.
Song sheets are shown on the screen during sessions.
Session videos are posted on Youtube.
Payments are appreciated but you can also join free of charge.
A Zoom link for each session, printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appear on this page minimum two hours before the session.
Here are some basics for Yiddish transliteration

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Lewes (UK) Wonder Sessions: Polina Shepherd / Pam and De Femmes
2023-10-07 19:30 - 22:00 UTC | Fitzroy House, 10 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AD, United Kingdom
Songs from around the Wondersphere by Lewes Live Literature Productions

Tickets: £10.00 advance / £12.00 door – BOOK HERE
LLL began as a promoter of art and literature events, running spring and autumn seasons and one-off events, and steadily acquiring a reputation for inventive, eclectic programming.
An evening of music from around the world. Internationally renowned singer & cultural activist Polina Shepherd (pictured) was originally from Siberia and now lives in Brighton. Her evocative singing, based on traditional forms, cuts a sound deeply rooted in east European Jewish and Slavic folk songs. Pam and De Femmes are an extraordinary band well-known in Lewes for their unique and eclectic brand of multilingual musical exuberance, performing songs from a range of musical traditions sung in over 30 languages.

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Which Yiddish Song are You? 1 - ONLINE course for the Workers Circle
2023-10-18 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Which Yiddish Song are You?

Let’s bring more songs closer to our hearts. Explore songs that express with intense emotions: love, despair, gratitude, longing, power… Apart from new songs brought by the teacher, this mini-course invite you to bring and share your favourites with the group, discuss their musical styles, learn about their authors and context in which they were composed and tell about your connections with them. Open to all.

Book HERE
Related Images:

The Big and The Beautiful collaborative show in Brighton, UK
2023-10-20 19:00 - 23:30 UTC | The Old MArket, 11A Upper Market St, Brighton and Hove, BN3 1AS, United Kingdom
KermesZ à l’Est / The Buffo’s Wake Orchestra / Super Dupes / Swing Ninjas / Brassic Parp / Ceilidh Boom

Polina and Merlin Shepherd and Slavic Voices choir will be part of one of the acts in this big show:

THE BUFFO’S WAKE ORCHESTRA
The Buffo’s Wake Orchestra return to the Old Market for their yearly foray into the world of self-indulgent extravagance. Their 6-piece Klezmer-punk Carnival Chaos will be supplemented with the very best musicians that Brighton and London have to offer – transforming into a 22-piece cacophonous chamber orchestra, they will take to the stage, forcing you to waltz, tango, mosh and kolo your way through a vast array of influences from Eastern European, Balkan and Russian folk, to punk rock and cabaret, whilst they tell their tall tales of debauchery and deformity. Musical eccentrics, drawing from diverse backgrounds ranging from Drum n’ Bass DJs to classically trained string players, punks to funk players and poets to showmen, they’re guaranteed to have a few surprises up their collective sleeves. In their time together, they have toured all over the world, finding an inspired, confused, sweaty, and often very drunk reception everywhere they go. Supplemented with a huge horn section, sublime strings, cimbalom, bouzouki, percussion and a chamber choir, this will be an absolutely huge show; their biggest stage show to date. Klezmer Carnival Punks – with influences from Abba to Zappa, Buffo’s Wake are guaranteed to leave you dancing like a man possessed!

READ more about the whole show
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Which Yiddish Song are You? 2 - ONLINE course for the Workers Circle
2023-10-25 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Which Yiddish Song are You?

Let’s bring more songs closer to our hearts. Explore songs that express with intense emotions: love, despair, gratitude, longing, power… Apart from new songs brought by the teacher, this mini-course invite you to bring and share your favourites with the group, discuss their musical styles, learn about their authors and context in which they were composed and tell about your connections with them. Open to all.
Book here.
Related Images:

Which Yiddish Song are You? 3 - ONLINE course for the Workers Circle
2023-11-01 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Online

Which Yiddish Song are You? 4 - ONLINE course for the Workers Circle
2023-11-08 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Which Yiddish Song are You?

Let’s bring more songs closer to our hearts. Explore songs that express with intense emotions: love, despair, gratitude, longing, power… Apart from new songs brought by the teacher, this mini-course invite you to bring and share your favourites with the group, discuss their musical styles, learn about their authors and context in which they were composed and tell about your connections with them. Open to all.
More information and registration will be open in September here.
Related Images:

Which Yiddish Song are You? 5 - ONLINE course for the Workers Circle
2023-11-15 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Online

Merlin and Polina Shepherd concert, Brighton Unitarian. UK
2023-11-17 12:30 - 13:15 UTC | Brighton Unitarian Church
Part of BUC Friday Lunchtime Concert series.

Merlin & Polina Shepherd are Internationally acclaimed performers in the Klezmer and Yiddish world. Drawing from their Jewish and Slavic roots, they weave together a unique music that moves the listener physically, emotionally and spiritually.

BUC Friday lunchtime concerts are diverse – mostly classical but also contemporary, jazz and folk, with many showing off our beautiful Steinway piano. The performers are a mixture of top local talent and touring musicians from across the globe. These affordable concerts are the perfect way to spend your Friday lunchtimes, enjoying a rich variety of music in our beautiful Grade II listed church, located right in the cultural heart of the city. Enjoy a hot drink before the concert starts, browse our craft stall selling home-made gifts and cards to raise funds for the church, and get to know your fellow concert-goers.
Tea/coffee served from 12 noon in the church hall on a donate as you feel basis.
Wheelchair accessible venue.
£5 suggested donation – cash or cardTea, coffee & biscuits available from 12 noon

Related Images:

NEW CHOIR Slavic Voices Winter term starts in London
2023-11-23 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
LONDON CHOIR

Thursdays 7-9pm near Victoria / Pimlico
Winter term (10 sessions): 23, 30 November, 7, 14 December (break), 11, 18, 25 January, 1, 8, 15 February with a concert in Brighton on 10 February (voluntary).
Slavic Voices is a new choir in London and Brighton & Hove for singers of all backgrounds. We present music of all styles from the Slavic world: Orthodox chants, beautiful classics by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and others, refined XVIII-XIX-centuries Art songs and gritty folklore from the far corners of Siberia to the banks of the Black Sea. The repertoire is sung mainly in Russian but also in Macedonian, Ukrainian, Belorussian, occasionally in Bulgarian, Polish, Czech, and adding a guest visit by a song in Yiddish or Georgian.

Join us on the journey to explore and share this culturally unique and musically diverse repertoire with the wide world. We perform at festivals and choral events, present our own concerts and collaborations with choirs and instrumentalists several times a year. Led by Polina Skovoroda-Shepherd, granddaughter of a Cossack, an internationally acclaimed performer, educator and cultural activist.
We always welcome new members. Please get in touch if you have any questions or join Polina’s monthly mailing list to receive the news. Follow us on Instagram
Taster session free, full term fee when joining the choir. Discounts available when joining half way through the term.
Term fee (10 sessions): £80 (£60 students) payable in cash, cheque to Polina Shepherd or via PayPal using Friends and Family option here

Related Images:

NEW CHOIR Slavic Voices Winter term starts in Brighton
2023-11-28 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Brighton Unitarian Church
Tuesdays, 6-8pm in central Brighton
Winter term (10 sessions): 28 November, 5 and 12 December, (break) 9, 16, 23, 30 January, 6, 13, 20 February with a concert in Brighton 10 February (voluntary).
Slavic Voices is a new choir in London and Brighton & Hove for singers of all backgrounds. We present music of all styles from the Slavic world: Orthodox chants, beautiful classics by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and others, refined XVIII-XIX-centuries Art songs and gritty folklore from the far corners of Siberia to the banks of the Black Sea. The repertoire is sung mainly in Russian but also in Macedonian, Ukrainian, Belorussian, occasionally in Bulgarian, Polish, Czech, and adding a guest visit by a song in Yiddish or Georgian.

Join us on the journey to explore and share this culturally unique and musically diverse repertoire with the wide world. We perform at festivals and choral events, present our own concerts and collaborations with choirs and instrumentalists several times a year.
Led by Polina Skovoroda-Shepherd, granddaughter of a Cossack, an internationally acclaimed performer, educator and cultural activist.
We always welcome new members. Please get in touch if you have any questions or join Polina’s monthly mailing list to receive the news. Follow us on Instagram
Taster session free, full term fee when joining the choir. Discounts available when joining half way through the term.
Term fee (10 sessions): £75 payable in cash, cheque to Polina Shepherd or via PayPal using Friends and Family option here
Related Images:

Sing with Me online 140
2023-12-06 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online
Sing with us, it’s GOOD FOR YOU! We are coming together again to sing two songs in two languages (a Yiddish and a Russian one) in a circle of great people from all over the world. Whether you know hundreds of songs or you never sing, you’ll have a happier heart in the end of this session.

New songs in every session.
Learn about cultural context and style.
No knowledge of Yiddish or other languages is needed.
Song sheets are shown on the screen during sessions.
Session videos are posted on Youtube.
Payments are appreciated but you can also join free of charge.
A Zoom link for each session, printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appear on this page minimum two hours before the session.

Sing with Me have been running from 20 March 2020. By the end of the first long pandemic 2020 – 2021 stretch we became a lovely group of friends from USA, Brazil, Iceland, Canada, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and other corners of the world.
We sing folk songs (lyrical, drinking, dance, celebratory songs…), Art songs (The Russian Romance and Yiddish art songs) plus a bit of classics like Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff.
More here: https://www.polinashepherd.co.uk/sing-with-me/
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Yiddish Khanike Celebration online
2023-12-10 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online
Register HERE (free)
Come join our online Yiddish Khanike celebration! Experience the warmth of the season with Khanike greetings from our teachers and students around the globe. Sing along to both new and popular Khanike lider, delight in entertaining skits and readings with Judy Bressler, Zisl and Dinele Slepovitch, Polina Shepherd, Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer, Psoy Korolenko, Cindy Paley, Yasmin Garfunkel, Tania Grinberg, Tamara Micner, Annie Cohen, Motl Didner, Miri Koral, Sheva Zucker, Gustavo Emos, Svetlana Kundish, Patrick Farrell, Adrianne Greenbaum, Daniel Galay, and surprise guests. Featured authors will be Simen Frug, Avrom Reisen, Morris Rosenfeld, A. Litvak, I. B. Singer, Aliza Greenblatt, A. N. Stenzel, and Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman.
All registrants are entered in a raffle to win complimentary registration for our Yiddish classes this spring.
English translations of the readings and songs will be provided.

This event is free, but we welcome an $18 suggested donation that will go to strengthening our world-renowned Yiddish program.

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Sing with Me 141
2024-01-17 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online
SEE THE
Sing with us, it’s GOOD FOR YOU! We had such an encouraging SWM-140 that the next session just has to be announced right away! Come to sing two songs in two languages (a Yiddish and a Russian one) in a circle of great people from all over the world. Whether you know hundreds of songs or you never sing, you’ll have a happier heart in the end of this session.
– New songs in every session.
– Learn about cultural context and style.
– No knowledge of Yiddish or other languages is needed.
– Song sheets are shown on the screen during sessions.
– Session videos are posted on Youtube.
– Payments are appreciated but you can also join free of charge.
– A Zoom link for each session, printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appear on this page minimum two hours before the session.
Sing with Me have been running from 20 March 2020. By the end of the first long pandemic 2020 – 2021 stretch we became a lovely group of friends from USA, Brazil, Iceland, Canada, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and other corners of the world.
We sing folk songs (lyrical, drinking, dance, celebratory songs…), Art songs (The Russian Romance and Yiddish art songs) plus a bit of classics like Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff.
Information about joining and more about SWM here.
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Winter Warmer: Community Cohesion Concert, Brighton UK
2024-01-27 12:00 - 16:00 UTC | Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GE
New Year starts with a celebration of diverse communities and cultures in the Brighton and Hove area, showcasing musicians and artists with heritages from around the World.

Jubilee Library, Saturday 27th January 12.00 – 4.00
Acts so far confirmed below, more to follow.
Winter Warmer: Community Cohesion Concert

A musical celebration of diverse communities and cultures in the Brighton and Hove area, showcasing musicians and artists with heritages from around the World. Merlin and Polina Shepherd Duo take part along with Rabeea Eid (Palestinian writer), Bashir Al Gamar (Sudanese musician), a Syrian-Ukrainian fusion band and more. Organised by Best Foot Music, Intercultural music & Art organisation. 12.00 – 4pm at the Jubilee Library. Read more here.

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