The Jerusalem Music Centre
[The Jerusalem Music Center site]
/ref> is an institute for musical education in Mishkenot Sha’ananim
, settlement_type = Neighborhood of Jerusalem
, image_skyline = שכונת משכנות שאננים וטחנת הרוח. צולם מכיוון העיר העתיקה.jpg
, imagesize = 300px
, image_caption = View of Mishkenot ...
, Jerusalem
Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...
. The centre helps young Israeli musicians to develop their talents through multi-annual programs and courses, master class
A master class is a Class (education), class given to students of a particular Academic discipline, discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also science, painting, drama, games, or on any other occasion where skills are b ...
es, and performances.[The Jerusalem Music Center](_blank)
The Jerusalem Guide at JerCity.com. Retrieved 13 February 2011 The centre also hosts musical events for the public, including concert
A concert is a live music performance in front of an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, choir, or band. Concerts are held in a wide variety a ...
s, workshop
Beginning with the Industrial Revolution era, a workshop may be a room, rooms or building which provides both the area and tools (or machinery) that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods. Workshops were the only ...
s and seminars.[The Jerusalem Music Center]
Site of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 13 February 2011
History
The Jerusalem Music Centre was established in 1973, at the initiative of the violinist and educator Isaac Stern
Isaac Stern (July 21, 1920 – September 22, 2001) was an American violinist.
Born in Poland, Stern came to the US when he was 14 months old. Stern performed both nationally and internationally, notably touring the Soviet Union and China, and ...
, Jerusalem’s mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...
at the time, Teddy Kollek
Theodor "Teddy" Kollek ( he, טדי קולק; 27 May 1911 – 2 January 2007) was an Israeli politician who served as the mayor of Jerusalem from 1965 to 1993, and founder of the Jerusalem Foundation. Kollek was re-elected five times, in 1969, 197 ...
, and British philosopher Isaiah Berlin
Sir Isaiah Berlin (6 June 1909 – 5 November 1997) was a Russian-British social and political theorist, philosopher, and historian of ideas. Although he became increasingly averse to writing for publication, his improvised lectures and talks ...
. The Program for Excelling Young Violinists, including master classes with well-known musicians and chamber ensembles for young musicians, was established in 1980. The Excelling Musicians Program in the IDF
IDF or idf may refer to:
Defence forces
* Irish Defence Forces
* Israel Defense Forces
*Iceland Defense Force, of the US Armed Forces, 1951-2006
* Indian Defence Force, a part-time force, 1917
Organizations
* Israeli Diving Federation
* Interac ...
, which allows young musicians to continue their studies and development during their military service, was established in 1985 together with the Jerusalem Music Centre. The Jerusalem Quartet, Israel’s first professional chamber group, was formed under the auspices of the Centre and other institutions in 1997. In 2000, the Jerusalem Music Centre established a program for teaching string instruments in elementary schools in Jerusalem and the periphery, together with the Education Ministry.
In 2009, the renowned pianist Murray Perahia
Murray David Perahia () (born April 19, 1947) is an American pianist and conductor. He is widely considered one of the greatest living pianists. He was the first North American pianist to win the Leeds International Piano Competition, in 1972. Kno ...
was appointed president of the Jerusalem Music Center. Perahia is known for his emphasis on musical theory and the intelligent execution of musical works.[
]
Programs for Excelling Young Musicians
The Programs for excelling young musicians are a whole cluster of programs intended for primary and high school children, typically designed for long-term participation, focusing on children aged 14–18.[
The programs’ goal is to significantly enhance the musical education that the participants receive from other sources, such as private teachers or the local conservatory. These programs focus on playing chamber music: Chamber music emphasizes the inclusive, non-competitive and social nature of music; the teaching of chamber music requires resources and expertise beyond the reach of most schools; and, more often than not, chamber music is the most complex, deep and challenging music.
Thus, in the beginning of every school year, participants form ensembles – string quartets, piano trios and so on – and meet for weekly or bi-weekly rehearsals with senior coaches. 6-8 times a year, participants are gathered for an intensive weekend, which allow for more intensive work, the creation of ''ad hoc'' different (some times larger) ensembles, as well as special topical workshops (music analysis, rhythm, improvisation, non-western music, contemporary and Israeli music and so on), lectures by various experts, and concerts in which the ensembles play for each other and for their teachers. Twice a year, the participants take part in an intensive 3-week summer course, at end of which they form the Young Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, and perform in central halls in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
]
Special programs
* '’’Teaching string instruments in elementary schools’’’: This project is aimed at introducing the violin and cello to second- and third-grade pupils attending ten schools in Israel's geographic periphery. The children study violin and cello in small groups, then progress to private lessons and to playing in the school ensemble. The program also includes school concerts, performing with children from other schools, and meetings with outstanding musicians from the Jerusalem Music Centre.
* '’’The Classical Arabic Music Ensemble’’’, comprising 10 musicians, Arabs and Jews, specializing in Arab and Mediterranean music.
Location and Facilities
The Centre houses a hall for lectures, concerts and lessons, a number of smaller studios, and an audio and video recording studio. The Jerusalem Music Centre is part of the Mishkenot Sha’ananim complex, situated in the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe
, settlement_type = Neighborhood of Jerusalem
, image_skyline = משכנות שאננים בירושלים ביחד עם כנסיית דורמיציון ברקע.JPG
, imagesize = 300px
, image_caption = Ha-Brekha street
, su ...
in Jerusalem. The complex includes a convention centre, a hostel for artists and intellectuals taking part in cultural activities in Jerusalem, and a restaurant.[
]
Notable alumni
* Hagai Shaham
Hagai Shaham ( he, חגי שחם, born July 8, 1966) is an Israeli violin virtuoso. He began studying the violin at the age of six and was the last student of the late Professor Ilona Feher. He is also a violin teacher, a professor
* Itamar Golan Itamar Golan (Hebrew: איתמר גולן), born 3 August 1970 in Vilnius, Lithuania, is an Israeli pianist.
He emigrated to Israel with his parents at the age of one. He studied piano with Lara Vodovoz and Emmanuel Krazovsky and gave his first rec ...
* Sharon Kam
Sharon Kam ( he, שרון קם; born August 11, 1971) is an Israeli–German clarinetist. She won the ARD International Music Competition in 1992.
Biography
After completing her music studies at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, wher ...
References
External links
A video about the Jerusalem Music Centre
{{authority control
Music in Jerusalem
Education in Jerusalem
Music schools in Israel