CARDIFF SYNAGOGUE CHOIR
Listen to some of the choir's music by
clicking on the song
Ein Kelokeinu
Kvodo.mp3
Mechalkel
Shir Hamaalos
V'alKulam
Yechadshehu
CUS Choir
Rehearsals every Monday night from 8-9:30pm in the Shul Hall. We have several events coming up including Shul services and a wedding.
Any gentlemen interested in joining please contact our choirmaster Tony Blasebalk on 2048-1509
The Cardiff United Synagogue has a tradition of amateur choirs going back many years. In 1998 Ivan Margolis came to Cardiff from South Africa and brought with him a wealth of experience of Choral singing, from his time with the World famous Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir.
This inspirational and charismatic man transformed the dozen or so amateur singers into a Choir with a unique singing style. He managed to combine several musical influences; traditional Jewish Choral singing, African rhythms and a clear Welsh influence in the style of the Male Voice Choirs.
A very hard-working Choir, the CUSC rehearses every week for 2 hours and performs in the Cyncoed Gardens Shul every other Shabbat. The Choir performs locally in South Wales supporting Communal functions and has contributed to the Holocaust Memorial Services including Welsh National Holocaust Memorial Service for the past 5 years. This January the choir participated in the National Commemoration Event which was held at the Millennium Centre Cardiff. In 2000 the Choir sang at the Millennium Dome in London as part of the Jewish Music Institute’s Festival of Jewish Music and more recently the Choir sung for the Chief Rabbi at the re-dedication of the previously desecrated Swansea Shul.
A few years ago the idea of capturing the Choir’s music onto a CD was proposed. The Choir was fortunate in discovering a small recording studio in Caerphilly where 2 non-Jewish musicians, Al Steele & Nigel Hart were based. They listened to a cassette recording of one of the Choir’s rehearsals and were very excited to get involved in the project. Professional musicians were brought in and Al, Nigel and Ivan arranged a stunning musical accompaniment. The CD, “Dream of Nations” was created.
This is no ordinary Jewish Choir CD. The singing is lively, original and uplifting with an extraordinary musical backing track. The result is a breath of fresh air and well worth a listen. The CD opens with “Don’t walk in front me”, a poignant message of peace sung by a boy soloist with stunning effect.
Visitors to the New Cyncoed Gardens Shul frequently comment on the up-lifting impact that the Choir has on the Shabbat Service and Simchas. The Choir is clearly and enormous asset to the Cardiff Jewish Community.
With Ivan's departure to Australia the choir has undergone a number of changes. It now being led by Tony Blasebalk, and is once again rehearsing to enhance the Shabbat services, and would be delighted to be involved in any Simchas.