L.A. Jewish Symphony to Welcome Special Guest Hershey Felder at Ford Amphitheatre, 9/7

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony has announced a celebratory concert to commemorate the orchestra's 20th Anniversary on Sunday, September 7 at 7:30pm at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. LAJS will be joined by award-winning and critically acclaimed pianist, actor, playwright, producer, and composer Hershey Felder, who has written an overture specifically for this occasion. With the anniversary concert, LAJS will be making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Ford Summer Partnership Concert Series.

"I am thrilled that Hershey will be joining us onstage for this exciting milestone," said Dr. Noreen Green, LAJS Artistic Director and Conductor. "In the orchestra's early days, he had a tremendous influence on its direction and development. At that time, we were both starting out on our individual journeys ... I am so proud of his accomplishments and I know Hershey is proud of ours. I am deeply touched that he is coming back to celebrate with us."

The LAJS 20th Anniversary Concert will offer something for everyone. The program's highlights will include Yiddish theatre songs; Felder's new composition for this occasion, featuring some of the established principal musicians of LAJS - Mark Kashper (concertmaster), Barry Gold (cello), and Zinovy Goro (clarinet); "Aliyah," Felder's concerto for piano and orchestra which celebrates the founding of the State of Israel; and selections by legendary composers Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and George Gershwin including the beloved "Rhapsody in Blue."

With the encouragement of renowned maestro Murry Sidlin, Dr. Noreen Green founded the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony in 1994. It is the only symphony orchestra in America dedicated to the performance and preservation of music reflective of the Jewish experience. The mission of LAJS is to perform orchestral works of well known as well as not commonly recognized Jewish composers; establish opportunities for the presentation of new compositions by Jewish artists; serve as a professional resource for aspiring Jewish and non-Jewish musicians; act as an educational medium for Jewish music and composers; and provide multicultural opportunities for diverse populations of school age children.

Dr. Noreen Green is a widely recognized lecturer on Jewish music, a conductor, and an accomplished educator. She is known worldwide for her knowledge and skills. Earlier this year, she created and launched a new choir at American Jewish University; for two decades Green served as Music Director for Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Encino, CA where she is their Music Scholar-in-Residence. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to the multicultural music scene in Los Angeles. Green has been guest conductor at Jewish music concerts around the world, and under her baton LAJS has performed in concert with such notable personalities as Billy Crystal, Tovah Feldshuh, Melissa Manchester, Theodore Bikel, Valerie Harper, Pat Boone, Lainie Kazan, Fyvush Finkel, Dave Koz, Marvin Hamlisch, Roslyn Kind, and many others.

Hershey Felder has enjoyed international success in many disciplines. A Broadway star and virtuoso pianist, Felder has created several stage plays (with music), including George Gershwin Alone (winner of 2007 Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards for Best Actor and Best Musical), Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him, and Abe Lincoln's Piano. His plays, musical compositions, and concerts have won acclaim on Broadway, in London's West End, and around the world. Felder is a Steinway Concert Artist.

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony 20th Anniversary Concert with special guest artist Hershey Felder will take place at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard East, in Hollywood on Sunday, September 7 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30, $40, and $50, with student discounts available. Tickets are available at FordTheatres.org or by calling (323) 461-3673. To learn about discounts for groups of eight or more, call (323) 769-2147. For information on LAJS program advertising and sponsorship packages, call (818) 436-5260.

ABOUT THE FORD THEATRES - The Ford Theatres are located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway between Hollywood Blvd. and Barham Blvd. in the Cahuenga Pass. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows and $1 per vehicle for morning family shows. FREE nonstacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City/Studio City Metro Station parking lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area. Please allow an extra 30 minutes if taking the shuttle.

This event is part of the Ford Theatres 2014 Summer Amphitheatre Season, a multidisciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County based arts organizations. A complete season schedule, directions to the amphitheatre and parking information can be found at FordTheatres.org.

Pictured: The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony. Photo by Guy Madmoni.

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