Israeli A Cappella

Vocal Octet

In many ways, choral singing in Israel isn’t much different from the European or American scene – a mix of classical and folk repertoire with a growing young a cappella scene. What does distinguish Israel – a multi-cultural country of immigrants located at the crossroads of three continents, but culturally involved mostly with Europe and the US – is the source of its folk music. That famous trio of composers Traditional, Folk and Unknown rarely worked here. Israeli ‘folk’ music was created only since the establishment of the state in 1948, the formative founders being Russian-born, classically-trained composers. It is therefore more self-consciously artistic and more musically sophisticated and complex than most folk traditions. The classical and pop influences are virtually identical to the choral scene throughout the Western world

Coral Vocal Ensemble

Likewise, the a cappella scene reflects worldwide trends –quickly-growing, mostly singers in their 20s and 30s, ranging from groups specializing in more traditional folk and classic pop materials to Great American Songbook to light pop covers to more contemporary, cutting-edge material. The performance style is characteristically perhaps less refined but more spirited than Northern European colleagues.

Most of Israel’s leading a cappella groups appeared at Ein Hod. The Coral Vocal Ensemble has been singing for 20 years, including two albums and collaborations with many of the country’s leading artists. Their material is primarily original arrangements of traditional Israeli folk material: ‘Umbrella for Two’, ‘Good Folks’, ‘Touch the Dream’, ‘Puncha, Puncha’ (Ladino).

The Vocal Octet is Israel’s only fully-fledged professional a cappella group, singing since 1985.  They perform in a variety of settings, including programs of The Beatles, Jewish Music, classical and a new multimedia project with animated films.  Led by Ron Gang, their focus is Israeli and light jazz.

Carmel A Cappella

Carmel A-Cappella is an female quintet that’s been performing for 20 years, a similar mix of  classical, Israeli folk and pop in a sophisticated light jazz context. Here’s a new clip made from matza especially for Passover.

The younger generation was represented by 2for6 in their debut performance (Stevie Wonder, 90s medley, The Real Group, and their brand new clip, Alice in Wonderland). As young as they are, they’re all experienced singers, led by Erez Tal, and they promise a lot of new material soon.

Kineret Erez

An exceptional treat was a knockout live looping performance by ex-Swingle Singer Kineret Erez,  performing both imported and Israeli materials in a format new to these shores.

Exciting young groups are sprouting up in Israel almost weekly, such as Quinta & a Half and the sometime AC/always talented Project RNL. The Swingle Singers recently gave a very successful workshop for the AC community, and plans are in the offing for a guest conductor come to work with an all-star AC choir. More and more Israelis are attending AC festivals in Europe, meeting, talking, exploring and planning. Israel may be small and out of the way, but it’s starting to make a lot of noise. And a cappella music.

For more on Israeli music, a cappella jazz and lots of other styles, see Jeff Meshel’s Song of The Week.