Kol Rinah
Westchester’s Jewish
Community
Chorus
About
Us
Kol Rinah, Westchester’s Jewish Community Chorus, was
founded in April of 2001 by two singers who wanted to bring Jewish music to a
community wider and more diverse than is typically reached by synagogue
choirs. We are approximately 25
singers, age 14 – 84, who enjoy performing Jewish music and sharing our cultural
expression with others. Although we
are often hired to sing at private events like religious school graduations,
women’s group lunches, and senior programs, our favorite performances are the
large concerts that draw audiences of 50 - 150 people from throughout the
county, many of whom have never heard the diversity of Jewish music spanning
many hundreds of years from all over the world. We find that audience members of every
faith tradition are able to share the uplifting spirituality and entertainment
our concerts provide.
Musical Director
Benjamin Gruder is the Artistic Director and Conductor of
Kol Rinah, Westchester's Jewish Community Chorus. He also directs both
Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale and the Society for the Advancement of Judaism
(SAJ) choir in New York City. A trumpet player since the age of seven and
bassist after that, he has performed in symphonic, jazz, ethnic, and punk rock
ensembles. Ben studied conducting at the University of Memphis and song
writing with Jeremy Wall, founding member of Spyrogyra and a Grammy
nominee. In addition to arranging and composing choral and instrumental
pieces, he created and produced Jonah! A Rock Musical which has been performed
in New York and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Accompanist
Connie Prener has
been an accompanist and ensemble player (harpsichord and chamber organ) and
singer for many years. She has sung with Canticum Novum Singers, La
Spiritata and other chamber ensembles. She was assistant director and
accompanist of the Choral Arts Society in Briarcliff Manor, New York, from 1991
- 2007. Connie also plays for the Westchester Gilbert & Sullivan
Group. She enjoys working with young people both individually and in
groups. She often accompanies school choruses and has been rehearsal
orchestra pianist in several Pleasantville High School musicals. Connie
has accompanied Kol Rinah for the past six years.
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