Video: Yale chorus sings Bulgarian song Pilentze Pee in 2011
Take a musical trip to the Balkans this weekend, at Morristown’s Temple B’nai Or. The Yale Women’s Slavic Chorus will perform a free concert on Sunday, March 20, 2016.
Since its formation in 1969, Yale’s first all-female music group has performed for dignitaries from Macedonia to the White House.
“Our songs connect me to the generations of women who have sang these melodies in the past,” says sophomore singer Claire Gottsegen. “Our music is for anyone interested in complex rhythms and harmonies, Eastern European culture, and the history of feminism at Yale. We in the chorus are excited to share our sounds and stories in Morristown!”
Showtime is 2:30 pm, with a suggested donation of $5. The temple is at 60 Overlook Road, near the Thomas Jefferson School.
Here’s more information.
FROM TEMPLE B’NAI OR:
TEMPLE B’NAI OR WELCOMES YALE WOMEN’S SLAVIC CHORUS FOR FREE CONCERT, MARCH 20
Yale’s First All-Female Musical Group Comes to Morristown
Tuesday, March 1, 2016—Morristown, NJ— Temple B’nai Or will host the Yale Women’s Slavic Chorus on March 20th at 2:30 pm, for a free concert in their sanctuary. This all-ages concert is a unique opportunity to learn about a mystical and rare style of choral music, which heralds from the Balkans.
Slavic music is a little off the beaten path of mainstream music in the U.S., but the dedicated young singers of Yale’s Slavic Chorus have a common interest in Eastern European music. Their repertoire includes traditions that are not Slavic, like Yiddish and Georgian.
Sophomore singer, Claire Gottsegen became entranced with the powerful, haunting melodies and the culture behind the music shortly after joining the chorus her freshman year:
“Our songs connect me to the generations of women who have sang these melodies in the past. Our music is for anyone interested in complex rhythms and harmonies, Eastern European culture, and the history of feminism at Yale. We in the chorus are excited to share our sounds and stories in Morristown!”
This unique group was formed in 1969 at Yale College. It is student-run and directed, and sings music from Bulgaria, Croatia, Russia, Ukraine, and Macedonia. While most of the Chorus members had very little previous exposure to the music they are singing, they aim to preserve the original technique in their performances. Recently, they have added traditional folk dancing into their showcases.
The Chorus has an impressive background, which includes performing for a Supreme Court judge of China, holding a private concert for the Prince of Serbia and the Princess of Greece, and singing at the White House. Most recently, the group was featured in the Macedonian Press for performing for President Ivanov.
The concert will be free to those who wish to attend. A suggested $5 donation at the door to the chorus is appreciated.
