Concerts
Previous Concerts
Over the years, a number of concerts have been held in the synagogue which boasts excellent acoustics,. Details of some of these events appear below.
Fundraising Concert
The concert on 10 September 2017 featuring popular local band, Justin and the Argonauts was a great success. The band comprised of violin, accordion, guitar, tuba and vocals played an eclectic blend of Roma funk, tango, classical, Balkan, 15th century Sephardic, Klezmer, and pop as you’ve never heard before.
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Our own Irina Fridman, who also organised the concert, sang 3 songs accompanied by members of the band,.
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Thank you to the band for their marvellous contribution to our fundraising programme, aimed at providing disabled access to the synagogue.
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Choir of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue
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On 5 April 2014, the choir of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue celebated Motzei Shabbat and Havdallah followed by a short concert. It ws a pleasure to welcome them back on 28 June 2015 as part of our Collection of Cultures.
Solaris - String Quartet
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On Sunday 19 June 2005, we were treated to the wonderful sound of a string quartet playing music from Terezin. The excellent accoustics of the synagogue enhanced the quality of the musicianship.
The Terezin concentration camp (Theresienstadt), a staging post on the brutal way to Auschwitz, was briefly home to a remarkable flowering of music and art. The Solaris Quartet’s repertoire for this concert is the legacy of the composers and performers whose talents pushed the darkness aside for a while.
Clarion Voices
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On Sunday 11 January 2004, Members of Chatham Memorial Synagogue enjoyed a concert of music by a new choral group, Clarion Voices, who gave an excellenent performance to a capacity audience. The concert consisted of sacred and secular music for unaccompanied voices, with pieces from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Composers included Salomone Rossi, Palestrina, Byrd, Monteverdi, Saint-Saens, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Gershwin. The pieces had been chosen to show off the fine accoustics of the mid-19th century listed building and the superb singing was much appreciated by the very mixed audience, consisting of members of the Synagogue and friends, local interfaith groups, local churches and choirs but all with a love of music.
The concert had been arranged by the Secretary of the Synagogue, David Herling and a welcome was extended by Jon Weiner, the Chairman, who also, at the end of the concert, presented the singers with a certificate for trees to be planted in Israel in their names.
Summer Concert 2001
In July 2001 we held a concert of Jewish cello music at the synagogue with Dan Kazez, who is a world-renowned cellist from Ohio. Dan is also Professor of Music at Wittenberg University. He has previously played at many of the famous Jewish centres all over the world. The pianist at the concert was Andrew Ashbee, former Head of Music at Rochester Grammar School.