May 2023
Remember, Revere, Rejoice
Recording Release
Available and streaming now!
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
Judith Clurman, conductor and music director of Essential Voices USA and Albany Records (TROY1939) announce the recording release of REMEMBER, REVERE, REJOICE, a collection of six works that embrace a range of emotions experienced in Jewish life – the Holocaust (Remember), a psalm setting (Revere), and love poetry and joy (Rejoice).
The selections are:
I. Unter Dayne Vayse Shtern is a setting of Avraham Sutzkever’s poem, by the same name. Sutzkever has been called is a description of the poet’s agony in a concentration camp. He describes the murder around him and talks directly to God, asking where God is.
II. To Be Alive (Birdsong) is a choral setting of Mark Broder’s song based on an anonymous text by a child, which was found in the Terezin Concentration Camp in 1941.
III. Adonai Roi is a setting of the psalm of consolation, by composers Daniel & Nina Faia Mutlu.
IV/V. Two pieces about love are Winter Is Past by Joseph Rubinstein and Steven Sher’s Dodi Li.
VI. Siman Tov is a choral setting of the 19th century folk melody; the text wishes someone well and is primarily performed at life cycle moments.
The members of EVUSA that sang on these recordings are: Joseph Beutel, Phillip Cheah, Wendy Gilles, Chole Holgate, Elizabeth Lang, Steven Moore, Nicholas Prior, Gregory Purnhagen, Elisa Singer Strom, Jason Weisinger, and Katherine Wessinger-Bozic. The ensemble was accompanied by James Cunningham, piano and Coleman Itzkoff, cello.
All of these original pieces and/or arrangements were commissioned by Essential Voices USA. The scores are available for purchase through Hal Leonard. The collection was produced and engineered by Silas Brown with Grady Bajorek, assistant engineer, and made possible with support from the Michael H. Baker Family Fund and individual contributions.
REMEMBER, REVERE, REJOICE
with
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Conductor
James Cunningham Piano
Coleman Itzkoff Cello
I. Unter Dayne Vayse Shtern
Avrom Brudno, arr. Bill Cutter
II. To Be Alive (Birdsong)
Mark Broder, arr. Bill Cutter
III. Adonai Roi
Daniel & Nina Faia Mutlu
IV. Winter Is Past
Joseph N. Rubinstein
V. Dodi Li
Steve Sher, arr. Brant Adams
VI. Siman Tov
Traditional, arr. Bill Cutter
This recording embraces the highs and lows of Jewish life. The selections express the highs and lows of Jewish life – the Holocaust (Remember), a psalm setting (Revere), and love poetry and joy (Rejoice).
All scores are published by Hal Leonard.
March 29, 2023
Premiere Performance of Washington Women
Lehman College – Lovinger Theater
Conducted by Judith Clurman
with
Essential Voices USA
Chorus from Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music
Trent Johnson, chorus director
James Cunningham, piano
Raman Ramakrishnan, cello
February 14, 2023
Devotion
Recording Release
Judith Clurman, conductor and music director of Essential Voices USA and Acis Productions announce the EP recording release of DEVOTION, a collection of three works.
Ave Maria (1:36)
Where there is Sadness, Joy (2:34)
Dona Nobis Pacem (1:02)
Available and streaming now!
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
“Ave Maria,” a setting of the traditional Latin text, was written in 2014 by composer Bill Cutter for his Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chorus. It is the second work in Cutter’s collection, “Divine Mother.” “Where There is Sadness, Joy” was commissioned by Essential Voices USA. Composed in 2017, by the Frost School of Music faculty member Shawn Crouch, the text is a combination of the Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila with the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. “Dona Nobis Nobis,” a short round based on the traditional Latin text, was written for Judith’s Essential Voices USA in 2018, by Broadway’s award-winning orchestrator Jonathan Tunick.
The members of EVUSA that sang on these recordings are: Joseph Beutel, Paul D’Arcy, Margery Daley, Chole Holgate, Amy Justman, Helen Karloski, Steven Moore, Heather Petrie, Jamet Pittman, Gregory Purnhagen, Eric Sorrels, and Elisa Singer Strom.
These recordings can be streamed on all platforms. The published scores of the Cutter and Crouch scores are available through Hal Leonard. The recordings were produced and engineered by Silas Brown.
“It is my hope that this inspirational music brings you comfort.”
– Judith Clurman
Holiday Greetings 2022
Carnegie Hall Concert, Dec 2022
DECEMBER 16, 2022 at 8pm
ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The New York Pops / Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
with guest artist
Ingrid Michaelson
and
Essential Voices USA / Judith Clurman, Music Director and Conductor
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
December, 2022
Silent Night
Recording Release
Essential Voices USA
with mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and pianist Tedd Firth
The Firth/Clurman arrangement. scored for mixed voices, mezzo, and piano, was originally released as part of the Essential Voices USA CD Holiday Harmonies. The recording, on the Sono Luminus label, can be streamed on all platforms. The published score is available through Hal Leonard (HL 50600458). The recording was produced by David Frost.
Available and streaming now!
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon
• YouTube
Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022
2022 Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree
Carnegie Hall Concert, Nov 2022
NOVEMBER 18, 2022 at 8pm
BROADWAY BLOCKBUSTERS
Music by Leonard Bernstein, Alan Menken, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and more. . . .
The New York Pops / Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
with guest artists
Nikki Renée Daniels, Jordan Donica, Matt Doyle, Melissa Ericco
and
Essential Voices USA / Judith Clurman, Music Director and Conductor
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
October, 2022
Washington Women
Recording Release (ACIS)
David Chase & Judith Clurman composers
Judith Clurman conductor
Lee Musiker piano
Raman Ramakrishnan cello
Available and streaming now!
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
About Washington Women
WASHINGTON WOMEN is a new collection of choral songs by David Chase and Judith Clurman. It is scored for mixed chorus, piano and cello. The texts are taken from speeches, opinions, and interviews of sixteen remarkable women from across the political spectrum, all of whom spent part of their lives associated with Washington DC – First Ladies, Senators, Congresswomen, Supreme Court Justices, Secretaries of State, Vice President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives: Abigail Adams, Madeleine Albright, Barbara Bush, Laura Bush, Shirley Chisholm, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Betty Ford, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, Elena Kagan, Michelle Obama, Sandra Day O’Connor, Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Chase Smith.
The singers of Essential Voices USA are joined by pianist Lee Musiker and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. The recording, on Acis (APL27921), can be streamed on all platforms.
The published score is available through Hal Leonard (HL00329483).
12 Songs, 30 Minutes
- The Essence Of America: Condoleezza Rice
- For Centuries Now: Elena Kagan
- Freedom: Eleanor Roosevelt / Hillary Rodham Clinton / Betty Ford
- Those Of Us Who Shout: Margaret Chase Smith
- In The Field Of Equal Rights: Shirley Chisholm
- We Pride Ourselves: Laura Bush
- We Not Only Dream: Kamala Harris / Nancy Pelosi
- It Is Necessary: Sandra Day O’Connor
- It Took Me Quite A Long Time: Abigail Adams
- Remember The Ladies: Madeleine Albright
- Believe: Barbara Bush
- I Am Ever Hopeful / I Want A President: Ruth Bader Ginsburg / Michelle Obama
July 1, 2022
NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
https://www.npr.org/2022/07/01/1107962688/essential-voices-usa-tiny-desk-concert
Judith Clurman conducts
World Premiere of WASHINGTON WOMEN
by David Chase & Judith Clurman
with
Essential Voices USA
Tedd Firth piano
Raman Ramakrishnan cello
Six of the twelve movements can be heard on this broadcast, which premiered on July 1st.
The complete album and score are expected to be released this Fall. A NYC premiere of the entire 30 minute work will be announced in the near future.
May, 2022
May You Heal
Recording Release (ACIS)
THE MAY YOU HEAL PROJECT
ESSENTIAL VOICES USA
Judith Clurman, conductor
James Cunningham and Lee Musiker, piano
Raman Ramakrishnan, cello
Available and streaming now!
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
“Judith Clurman conducts her excellent Essential Voices USA with dignity and beauty in “May You Heal,” a collection of five newly commissioned choral works that offer music of comfort, peace, renewal and self-awareness. The fine singers of Essential Voices USA offer richly satisfying performances on each piece”
Times Square Chronicles
About May You Heal
Dear Friends, Family, and Colleagues,
It is with great pleasure and pride that I announce this ACIS release of MAY YOU HEAL, a series of five choral works that have been recorded and commissioned by my Essential Voices USA during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pieces offer music of comfort, peace, renewal and self-awareness. The singers of Essential Voices USA are joined by pianists James Cunningham and Lee Musiker and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. The five recordings can be streamed on all platforms. The published scores are available as “The May You Heal Cycle” through Hal Leonard. (They will be coming shortly). Stream the music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and other sites.
MAY YOU HEAL, with heart-felt music by Canadian composer Mark Sirett, and poignant lyrics by Bruce L. Ruben expresses what the world is feeling today, as we hopefully move on from Covid-19: May You heal, May you be well again, May you lean on friends and family, May you return to health and wholeness. DONA NOBIS PACEM, an A Cappella work by Welsh composer Katie Jenkins (who just received her BM at The Juilliard this week), expresses a yearning for peace. Jenkins dedicates her piece to the memory of those lost to Covid-19. David Chase’s WHEN SCIENCE TRIUMPHS sets the words of three individuals dedicated to fighting diseases that have plagued our world during the 20th and 21st centuries. Dr. Anthony Fauci (1940-) is a physician and immunologist who serves as director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is the chief medical advisor to the President of the United States. His work has been most prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic; Dr. Mathilde Krim (1926-2018) was a research scientist and educator, and the founding chairman of amfAR, American Foundation for AIDS Research; and Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995) was a virologist renowned for developing the first polio vaccine. RESPONSIBILITY, a setting by Mark Sirett, offers lyrics by Hillel the Elder, a famous Jewish leader and scholar, from Babylon, who lived in the first century BCE to the beginning first century CE. In this aphorism, Hillel captures the tension between the need for healthy narcissism (self-care) and the importance of caring for others -: “Im ein ani li, mi li? . . . If I am not for myself, Who will be for me? But if I am only for myself. What am I? And if not now, when?”I CELEBRATE MYSELF is a setting of the opening line from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself “(1892) by Boston-based composer Bill Cutter. The piece celebrates our connection to one another: “I celebrate myself, and sing myself . . . For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you”
“Now more than ever, our students and our singers of all ages need a place to go and a place where they can find safety and healing. After more than two years of quarantine, those of us who love and need the safety and community of a music organization yearn to return. The ‘May You Heal’ cycle from the Judith Clurman Choral Series allows and encourages us find this in the music.”
Scott Foss, Concert and Classical Choral Editor @Hal Leonard
Recording and scores published by Hal Leonard (HL 003967666)
5 Songs, 13 Minutes
I. May You Heal
music: Mark Sirett
text: Bruce L. Ruben
II. Dona Nobis Pacem
music: Katie Jenkins
text: liturgy
III. When Science Triumphs
music: David Chase
text: Drs. Anthony Fauci (COVID), Matilde Krim (AIDS), Jonas Salk (POLIO)
IV. Responsibility
music: Mark Sirett
text: Hillel the Elder
V. I Celebrate Myself
music: Bill Cutter
text: Walt Whitman
Holiday Greeting 2021
Judith Clurman & Essential Voices USA send you this Video Holiday Greeting!
Fall 2021 and Winter 2022
When it is safe to work: recordings and videos of new works
2021 Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree
Thanksgiving, November 25th, 2021
Jan 20, 2021
America At Heart
Recording Release (Acis)
AMERICA AT HEART
Streaming and Downloads:
https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/america-at-heart
A NEW DIGITAL EP IN HONOR OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Judith Conducts her Essential Voices USA and Tony Award winners Randy Graff and Brian Stokes Mitchell for an ACIS release in honor of the inauguration fo the 46th president of the United States. Music includes Reason to Be Thankful (Hochman & Harnick), Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor (Berlin, arr. Chase) and America/Wheels of A Dream (Flaherty & Ahrens).
TRACK 1: “REASON TO BE THANKFUL” Larry Hochman/Sheldon Harnick (David Frost, producer) Tony Award®-winner BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL joins the chorus for this inspiring work, released for the first time today.
TRACK 2: “GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR” Irving Berlin (Silas Brown, producer)
Tony Award®-winner RANDY GRAFF narrates the Emma Lazarus poem in David Chase’s arrangement of the Irving Berlin song with pianist Lee Musiker and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan joining the chorus for this track. Remastered in honor of the occasion.
TRACK 3: “AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL” with Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Ahrens’s “WHEELS OF A DREAM” (David Frost, producer) BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL and ESSENTIAL VOICES USA are joined by instrumentalists Tedd Firth, piano; Kathryn Anderson, violin; Angela Pickett, viola; Michael Dahlberg, cello; Steve Lyon, oboe; and Rheagan Noleen, french horn. Remastered in honor of the occasion.
2020 Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree From Home
November, 2020
Words Matter
WORDS MATTER
Streaming and Downloads:
https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/words-matter
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Conductor
James Cunningham Piano, Track I, II
Daniel Miller Cello, Track II
“‘Testimony’ was written using interviews for the ‘It Gets Better’ project, but to me it has always had a broader implication, speaking for those who have experienced bullying or felt shame for who they are, whatever the reason. I have always hoped for a good SATB performance, and hearing the piece so beautifully sung by the EVUSA under the always impeccable direction of Judith Clurman is a real joy for me.”
– Stephen Schwartz
“Schwartz and Clurman know how to tell a story, and they work in vocal color like Da Vinci did in oils. Clurman and EVUSA are justifiably proud of this recording and plan to do anti-bullying workshops in New York City.”
– Q on Stage
November, 2020
Winter Harmonies
WINTER HARMONIES
Streaming and Downloads:
https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/winter-harmonies
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman, Conductor
Tessa Lark Violin, Track I
James Cunningham Piano, Track III, IV, V
Daniel Miller Cello, Track III
“‘Winter Harmonies’ featuring Essential Voices USA is ESSENTIAL holiday music in my household… this year we and moving forward! Brava to music director extraordinaire Judith Clurman and her GLORIOUS ensemble!”
– Frank DiLella, Spectrum News NY1
July 20, 2020
Appalachian Stories
APPALACHIAN STORIES
Streaming and Downloads:
https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/appalachianstories
Streaming and Downloads:
https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/appalachianstories
APPALACHIAN FOLK MUSIC is still heard in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Western North Carolina, Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky; it’s a tradition influenced by English, Irish, and Scottish ballads
of the 18th and 19th centuries, one constantly reinterpreted through improvisation. The lyrics tell stories of love found and fortunes lost, and the songs have greatly influenced country, bluegrass and other American folk traditions in decades since. The “fiddle,” the violin, often accompanies these pieces with some percussion, a dulcimer, or banjo, and the singing is hearty! Today we add to that rich heritage.
David Chase, who grew up in West Virginia knowing these songs, was commissioned by Judith Clurman to arrange some of this treasury of song for mixed chorus and violin. He combined the Appalachian folk traditions together with rich stylistic elements of Sacred Harp singing. Chorus + violin is a vibrant combination, as can be seen on the session video and also the YouTube full album preview.
The cycle, Appalachian Stories, has four movements: I This Old Hammer (5’33”), II Pretty Saro (4’45”), III Down In A Coalmine (7’47”), IV Who Will Come and Go With Me (4’29”)
Award-winning violinist Tessa Lark joined Judith Clurman’s Essential Voices USA for the premiere performance and recording of the work in the Spring of 2019, at the Academy of Arts and Letters in New York City. Tessa Lark, grew up in Kentucky, steeped in the traditions of this musical genre. On the album, she pays homage to the old Appalachian fiddlers and improvises between the songs.
Conductor Judith Clurman says, “What a great collaboration! I loved working on this project with David and Tessa. My Essential Voices USA sang, clapped, and stomped and enjoyed making music with Tessa Lark.”
May 26, 2020
Canadian Screen Award Winner: The Song of Names, with Howard Shore
CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD WINNERS (2020)
THE SONG OF NAMES
Achievement in Music – Original Score, Howard Shore
“The Song of Names” – Cantor’s Prayer, conducted by Judith Clurman
Above: Song of Names Cantor’s Prayer, Music supervisor/conductor & vocal coach Judith Clurman and original film score by Howard Shore; premiere at Toronto International Film Festival; Featured Review
May 21, 2020
Judith receives the 2020 Emmy Nomination for “Outstanding Original Song”
Outstanding Original Song:
“A Holiday Carol – The Holidays Are Here”
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
March 22, 2020
Judith Clurman and the Manhattan School of Music students wish Stephen Sondheim a special 90th birthday.
https://www.facebook.com/HalLeonardChoral/videos/221493612561473/
January 24, 2020
FIND YOUR DREAM: SONGS OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN
with Laura Michelle Kelly and Max von Essen
Carnegie Hall, 8PM
The New York Pops/Essential Voices USA
Steven Reineke Music Director and Conductor
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Music Director and Conductor
December 20 and 21, 2019
A FRANK AND ELLA CHRISTMAS
with Tony DeSare and Capathia Jenkins
Carnegie Hall, 8PM
The New York Pops/Essential Voices USA
Steven Reineke Music Director and Conductor
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Music Director and Conductor
December 13, 14 (DC) and 20, 21 (NYC), 2019
EIGHT DAYS OF LIGHTS
by Judith Clurman and David Chase
(arr. Ryan Nowlin; orchestration by Brant Adams)
National Symphony Orchestra, The Kennedy Center
conducted by Steven Reineke
New York Pops, Essential Voices USA, Carnegie Hall
conducted by Judith Clurman
Music Published by Hal Leonard: SATB, SSA, SA
December 1, 2019
Cradle Hymn
An Acis Recording and Music Release
Streaming and Samples:
https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/cradle-hymn
Thanksgiving, 2019
Macy’s Singers Capture the True Spirit of Christmas: https://c2c.macysinc.com/community-articles/traditions/singing-tree-recap/
Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree Float (right before Santa Claus)
had 120 Macy’s and Delta employees performing a world premiere work conducted by Judith Clurman:
The Holidays Are Here (A Holiday Carol)
by Judith Clurman and Wesley Whatley (arr Ryan Nowlin)
Written for the 2019 Singing Tree!
November 11, 2019
Judith visiting with her friends while celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Sesame Street
November 6, 2019
Lincoln Center Gala Honoring Women
Women from Essential Voices USA with the Diva Jazz Orchestra
Singing Natural Woman with Amber Iman
November, 2019
Rejoice!: Honoring the Jewish Spirit
Repertoire by David Chase, Judith Clurman, Sheldon Harnick, Jeremiah Klarman, Trude Rittmann, David Shire, Jonathan Tunick
Available now from Acis Productions
Streaming and Samples:
https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/rejoice-honoring-the-jewish-spirit
Judith Clurman conductor
James Cunningham piano
Raman Ramakrishnan cello
September 8, 2019
Toronto International Film Festival
September 8, 2019
THE SONG OF NAMES
Distributed in the USA December 25, 2019
With Tim Roth, Clive Owen, Jonah Hauer-King
World Premiere of THE SONG OF NAMES
Based on the novel by Norman Lebrecht
Directed by Francois Girard
Score composed by Howard Shore
Judith Clurman, Music Supervisor/Conductor & Coach of Vocal Music
“…the gorgeous music remains a vital character throughout. Especially at the concluding reveal, the music soars with beauty …the music score and the fine performances render this a film to see.” — BlogCritic
Francois Girard, Judith Clurman, Howard Shore: World premiere of The Song of Names, TIFF, September 8, 2019
August, 2019
Guest Faculty at the Summer Institute for the Vocal Arts
Arlington, Massachusetts
SIVA Students with Guest Teacher Judith Clurman, Lisa Tamagini (Artistic Dir.), Elaine Smith Purcell (Music Dir). Photo: ©2019 Patricia Tamagini, used with permission
March 1, 2019
National American Choral Directors Association Conference, Kansas City, Missouri
10:00-10:50 am session / 11:00-11:50 am session, Marriott Hotel
The session will present choral music inspired by Jewish themes, suitable for concert performances. It will give repertoire ideas to directors of junior and senior high schools, college and community choirs and will feature examples from Judith Clurman’s Hal Leonard series as well as other relevant works. Indiana University musicologist, Dr. Judah M. Cohen, will join Judith for the discussion of this spiritually-moving repertoire.
January, 2019
Choral Workshop at Norfolk State University
With Norfolk Public Schools, Virginia
December, 2018
Boston Pops Holiday Concerts
Program will include Clurman/Hochman, Stokes SONGS OF FREEDOM: A CELEBRATION OF CHANUKAH, conducted by Keith Lockhart
December 2018
Boston Symphony Children’s Chorus
World Premiere of EIGHT DAYS OF LIGHTS by Judith Clurman with David Chase.
December 21 and 22, 2018
UNDER THE MISTLETOE with ASHLEY BROWN
Carnegie Hall, 8PM
The New York Pops/Essential Voices USA
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman, Music Director and Conductor
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium
Thanksgiving, 2018
Thanksgiving, 2018 NBC Television
JUDITH CLURMAN, MUSICAL DIRECTOR and CONDUCTOR
Meet the Singing Christmas Tree Choir (Macy’s.com)
November 16, 2018
SONG AND DANCE: THE BEST OF BROADWAY
Carnegie Hall, 8PM
The New York Pops/Essential Voices USA
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman, Music Director and Conductor
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium
April 23, 2018
Dramatists Guild Foundation: Toasts at the Hudson Theater, NYC
Joined by The Manhattan School of Music Musical Theater Ensemble
James Cunningham, Piano
December 15 and 16, 2017
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
Carnegie Hall, 8PM
The New York Pops/Megan Hilty, Guest Artist
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman, Music Director and Conductor
