Our Music

Music has long been an important part of life at NSTE. From services to community events, to talent contests at our Meah Hebrew & Religion School and more, music threads its way through many aspects of our synagogue life. 

Our volunteer choir beautifies services on many Shabbat evenings, mornings, festivals and the High Holy Days. Talented teens through to singing seniors blend in harmonies ranging from century-old classics to contemporary compositions. On occasion, the choir is supported by instruments and the musical style leans towards folk, groove, jazz, or Israeli music.

If you want to learn more, please contact Music Director, Judy Campbell at 02 9419 7011 or click here to email.

Read on to find out more about our choir.

Our Choir

Originally established in the early 1990's by Cantor Janece Cohen, the choir is non-auditioned, although the ability to hold a tune is a requirement! We accomodate differing vocal and music reading skill levels, tailoring the programs and participation to be as inclusive as possible, while offering more of a challenge to those at the higher end of the skills spectrum. We always strive to improve our skills, and choir development activities take place from time to time.

Our volunteer choir has been under the direction of Judy Campbell since 1999 and during that time has undertaken a diverse range of activities.

Our primary purpose has always been, and continues to be, to beautify services throughout the year. Members of the choir also sometimes take Shabbat to an individual in need. This takes the group to retirement homes, private homes and even hospital wards to ensure that the needs of those desiring a musical Kabbalat Shabbat are met.

In addition to services, the NSTE choir features in concerts, communal celebrations and commemorations such as Yom Hashoah, interfaith events, CD recordings and other community events. 

Rehearsals are from 7:45pm - 10pm on Wednesday evenings throughout the year, with breaks during the summer and winter school holidays.

In general, rehearsals are in preparation for particular services or events. We understand that everyone has busy lives, and do not expect everyone to participate in everything. Information is provided well in advance and choir members make their selections. We do ask that singers commit to the rehearsals for events they select, avoiding clashes with other demands wherever possible.

We are a family within the congregational family, and both new and long term friendships in the choir are common. We welcome new members. 

If you are interested in joining the choir, please contact Music Director, Judy Campbell on 9419 7011 or click here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities has the choir been involved in?

Activities over the years have included:

• Three CD recordings: "A Chanukah Cantata" (2001), "A Hallel for Our Times" (2003) and "Celebration" (2010), drawn from our Rosh Hashanah repertoire to commemorate the NSTE Jubilee year.
• Annual High Holy Day Concert Series at the Montefiore Homes of Sydney - Hunters Hill, Randwick and Woollahra.
• Interfaith concerts and events, e.g. Women of Faith Dinner (2008), "Rejoice" - Christian, Muslim, Jewish Sukkot event, "Soulfood" (2005), Tikkun Olam through Multicultural Music - A Community of Choirs (2016).
• Concerts at NSTE Shabbaton: Jenolan Caves (2009), Wisemans Ferry (2011, 2015), Fairy Meadow (2013) and at Newcastle Synagogue (2009). Fundraiser concerts for NSTE, and for the 2014 Choir Tour to Israel, and the Jubilee Gala Concert (2010).
• Performance at the YMCA in Jerusalem (2014).
• Performances at conferences of the Union for Progressive Judaism (2012, 2014).
• Prizewinning performances at Sydney Eisteddfod (2008).
• Performances at the Australian Jewish Choral Festival (2014, 2016) and at the Jewish music festival Shir Madness (2010).
• Participation in a community production of the musical "Children of Eden" (2010).

What concerts & special events are on offer?

Several streams of concerts and special events are typically on offer each year, for example:

• Music Series at VJs - this ranges from jazz to klezmer to musical lectures from visiting celebrities
• Musical interludes at some Shabbat dinners during the year
• Performances at the biennial Australian Jewish Choral Festival
• Participation in the series Tikkun Olam through Multicultural music, presented by Jewish Arts Inc.
• Attendance at biennial conferences held by the Union for Progressive Judaism
• Special one-off events

Can Youth get involved?

Depending on interest levels in any given year, we provide opportunities for a Jewish choral experience to the youth of our community.

There is a quarterly "Hands Free Tefilah" Shabbat service for families, at which music plays a role, and youth singing opportunities abound. Yom Kippur afternoon is another such opportunity, where we encourage young singers and musicians to participate.