Welcome to the Westchester Klezmer Program! We have bands for youth, teen and adult musicians that rehearse in Tarrytown on alternate Wednesday evenings and in Bedford/Mount Kisco on alternate Thursday evenings during the school year.
We welcome musicians in fifth grade and up, with at least one year of instrument instruction and the ability to play a chromatic scale, read music, and play in a band setting with other musicians.
Rehearsal Sessions
Bands rehearse approximately seven times per term, fall-winter and winter-spring. The schedule is posted on the calendar, which also can be found by clinking on the link at the top of the left margin of our web site.
Program Registration Fees
Click here for our current Registration Fees.
Concert Schedule
The Westchester Klezmer Program performs numerous times over the course of the year at synagogues, area nursing homes, libraries, and other community venues. Performances are listed on the Calendar.
Attendance
Musicians are expected to bring their sheet music, along with a music stand to every rehearsal and concert. Musicians are asked to write their name on their sheet music, instrument case, music stand, and any other possessions that they bring with them.
Mitzvah Credit
To learn more about receiving bar/bat mitzvah credit, click here.
Dress Code
For rehearsals – Male musicians must wear a kippah for rehearsals at Bet Torah, a conservative synagogue. A kippah is optional at Temple Shaaray Tefila, JCC on the Hudson, and Temple Beth Abraham.
Concert/service dress code – Our formal wear, usually reserved for religious services, includes black bottoms (pants, skirts, dresses) and white tops (shirts, blouses). Shoes are preferred to sneakers and male musicians are asked to wear a kippah (see below).
Party dress code – Our informal performance attire for the majority of our shows consists of colorful, lively and even loud clothing. However, jeans with holes, t-shirts with advertisements or slogans, and ratty sneakers are highly discouraged. In some of these situations males will still be required to wear a kippah. It is best to keep one with your klezmer paraphernalia at all times.
For all concerts — A Bokharan or other colorful oversized kippah/yarmulke is suggested. Purchase at a Judaica store (for example, the Aesthetic Sense in Mount Kisco, the Temple Beth Abraham gift shop, the Jewish Museum (NYC), the Museum of Jewish Heritage (NYC), or Eichler’s (62 West 45th Street, NYC, or www.eichlers.com). It is best to try them on rather than order on-line, as sizes vary tremendously.
Communications
We communicate primarily by email. Musicians must either provide us with an active email address that is checked on a regular basis or request alternate communications.
In the event that a rehearsal has to be canceled (bad weather, emergencies), it will be posted on the web site calendar which can be accessed by clicking here. An email will also be sent out.