Composer Brings Hanukkah into the 58th Century

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COMPOSER BRINGS HANUKKAH INTO THE “58TH CENTURY”

The 200 voice San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will feature composer and visiting soloist, Karen Hart, in 3 of their 20th Annual "Home for the Holidays" Concert Series. The 3 concerts are on December 24th, Christmas Eve at the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco, at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. The series also includes a concert on December 16th at 7pm, where “Judah” will be performed with a local soloist.

When you think of Hanukkah, you don’t think of gospel music. And when you think of gospel music, the first thing you think of is probably not Hanukkah. Think again! Composer Karen Hart has brought Hanukkah music into the “58th century” with her kick-ass gospel rap Hanukkah classic, “Judah and His Maccabees.” This wailing tune has been embraced by schools, colleges, temples, and community and professional choirs for 10 years, and it is getting its biggest kick ever by being performed in 4 major cities this December. So put down your dreydl and pick up your tambourine and join in the fun!

“It’s a little bit gospel, a little bit rap, a little humor and a whole lotta soul,” says Sue Fink, who premiered the award winning piece with her 170 voice choir at Los Angeles’ prestigious Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. "I can't think of another piece I've ever worked on, with any choir I've taught, that has generated this much enthusiasm and honest desire to work," says Kelly Shepard, department chair of theater arts and director of choral and vocal studies at the Stephen Wise Music Academy in Los Angeles.

“I hate to toot my own shofar here, but 'Judah' has been a huge hit with kids and adults alike,” says Los Angeles musician and composer Karen Hart. “I wanted to add new energy to traditional holiday music with an upbeat, choral piece that gets audiences on their feet. Someone had to bring Hanukkah into the 58th Century, and tell the story in a contemporary street slang that today’s audiences would want to hear, " she says, “and do it with humor and chutzpah.” She continues, "Growing up Jewish in the deep south had more than its share of challenges, but one great advantage was being surrounded with great gospel music that I was able to 'schmush' together with humor and bake up a great Hanukkah treat." One of her favorite lyrics in “Judah” is when she creates the historic setting: "The Greeks were ruling the world back then, it was Helen this, Helen that and Helen back again."

Year by West Coast Songwriters, the 2006 Barry Manilow award for lyric writing, 2009 Los Angeles Women in Music’s “Best of the Best,” 2001 USA Songwriting, 2009 Songwriters Vantage spotlight for exemplary songwriting, 2006 Best Song for Nashville Tracks/L.A. Songwriters Co-op. http://www.karenhartmusic.com/Judah.html.

Additionally, Atlanta, Dallas and Portland will each include “Judah and His Maccabees” in holiday choral concerts this December. In all, over 600 choral singers will participate.

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