The newest chapter of HaZamir: the International Jewish High School Choir, HaZamir Orlando, conducted by Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer, will hold an Open House and auditions, no preparation necessary, for teens interested in joining for the 2016-2017 HaZamir season on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center. Parents are welcome to attend the Open House with their teens to speak with the leaders and learn more about HaZamir.

HaZamir is a Jewish musical youth movement that provides a unique opportunity for Jewish teens of all denominations and backgrounds to sing sophisticated Jewish choral music in a fun, social environment. The Orlando chapter is part of the HaZamir network of over 30 HaZamir chapters throughout the U.S. and Israel. Individual chapters meet weekly in their local cities to learn a common repertoire, then gather together to polish and perform that repertoire at regional, national and international events, culminating in a gala concert with over 400 performers from America and Israel. Last year’s sold-out gala concert was in Carnegie Hall and this year’s gala concert will be David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher Hall) at Lincoln Center on March 26, 2017.

Cantor Rawiszer is excited to launch HaZamir Orlando and serve as its innaugural conductor. At CRJ she has created and led multiple choral groups and instrumental ensembles including the intergenerational Temple Choir, Kol Tikvah (Voice of Hope) Youth Choir, Shir Joy—The CRJ Teen Ensemble, the Shirim Instrumental Ensemble and most recently, the  Orlando Interfaith Choir.

HaZamir is open to Jewish teens in grades 9 through 12 who meet the HaZamir musical eligibility requirements. Rehearsals will be on most Sundays, starting Sept. 11 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando.

HaZamir also sponsors a highly selective Honors Choir—its Chamber Choir—consisting of approximately 50 American and Israeli HaZamir members who are auditioned at an even higher standard than the larger ensemble.  HaZamir Chamber Choir singers aspire to an even more challenging level of choral music and perform as an independent ensemble at the gala concert.

In addition, HaZamir offers a college credit program for high school juniors and seniors, accepted at over seventy prestigious colleges and universities, and facilitates leadership among its teens through its Teen Leadership Initiative.

HaZamir is now in its 24th year and is a project of the Zamir Choral Foundation, Matthew Lazar, founder and director. For information on HaZamir, please visit http://www.zamirchoralfoundation.org. For information on the Orlando chapter please contact Andrea Burke, parent coordinator hazamirorlando@gmail.com 408-592-8915 or Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer, director, at hazamirorlando@gmail.com.