Kids sing for a good cause

The Moran Choir is emphatically turning choral music into children’s play.

By SHIRA TEGER
Moran Choir 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Moran Choir 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Works from Canadian-Israeli composer Aharon Harlap and classics from Verdi, Mendelssohn and Donizetti don’t exactly sound like kids’ stuff. But the Moran Choir is emphatically turning choral music into children’s play. On July 5, the group will host an evening for Friends of the Moran Choir, with all of the proceeds going towards the development of musical excellence among youth and continued community outreach.
Based in Emek Hefer, the Moran Choir Beit Yitzhak comprises four separate young choirs: Moran Singers Ensemble, Moran Choir, Moran Youth Choir and Moran Little Ones Choir.
They work to bring choral music to Israeli society, especially among youth.
In addition, the Moran Choir participates in community outreach programs.
It has received various awards over its 20+ years of existence and has participated in numerous local and international festivals and competitions, including performances this year in Germany with the Gewandhouse Choir and in Israel with the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Joining the Youth Choir during the special evening will be an Ethiopian girls’ choir from Netanya and youth-atrisk from the Tokayer boarding school at Kibbutz Bahan, with which the Moran Choir works regularly. They will perform Leah Goldberg’s “Sar Hayeladim.” The Moran Choir will perform with special needs students from Shafririm, and the Ensemble will pay tribute to Hagashash Hahiver tunes with members of Nitzan Onim, a center for adults with learning disabilities. All of the choirs will join to perform a medley of Israeli works in solidarity with the Schalit family in hopes of Gilad’s quick release.
The evening will be conducted and directed by Naomi Faran, who founded the Moran Choir in 1986.
“The vital and important thing is to create a shared experience through music as a basis for developing listening skills, happiness and optimism,” Faran said in a statement. “The model of operation I developed in the choirs includes reaching out to at-risk populations to integrate them into the community at large. The attribute of the Moran Choirs Beit Yitzhak that has remained since their inception is an uncompromising aspiration toward musical excellence alongside continuous activity with the community and for the community.”
As no event is complete without refreshments, the Carmel Winery, Café Hillel chain, Otzarin – Eruim V’hafakot production company, chef Pavris and Tali Grapes from Lahish will contribute the food and drinks for the festive evening.
July 5, Tel Aviv Museum, 7 p.m. To donate or purchase tickets (NIS 250): (09) 898-8258.