The Adult Choir
The volunteer choir of NSTE was established nearly 15 years ago by Cantor Janece Cohen. Judy Campbell took over direction of the choir in 1999. That year they performed at the Jewish Arts Festival and soon recorded their first CD, "A Chanukah Cantata", a new work by American composer Shelley Olson. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, performing at Jewish and interfaith concerts such as the World Peace Forum at Darling Harbour, Prayers for Peace at Parramatta Town Hall and an Israeli Independence Day concert at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place.
In 2003, the choir, under Judy’s direction, released their second CD in collaboration with Shelley Olson: "A Hallel for Our Times", based on the Psalms.
The choir has established an annual concert series at the Montefiore Homes of Sydney, performing in the lead up to the High Holy Days. As well, they have taken part in many interfaith events in Sydney.
The choir’s performance schedule continues to grow, in addition to regular singing at Shabbat and Festival services. In 2008/9 they performed at Sydney communal events for Yom Hashoah and Yom Yerushalayim, and presented a unique a cappella performance as part of the concert series in the Cathedral Cave at Jenolan Caves. In 2009, they delivered a very successful public concert at the Newcastle Hebrew Congregation and released a new CD of music for Rosh Hashanah, "Celebration", celebrating the 50th anniversary of North Shore Temple Emanuel.
2010, the Jubilee year of NSTE, will be a busy one for members of the choir, who will play a part in many celebratory events through the year.
Ours is a fun-loving choir 'family' that sings everything from classical liturgical music to jazz, pop and musical theatre. It has fostered close friendships and a wonderful sense of community.