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Sacred Service (1983)

Scored for cantor, choir, organ, and chamber orchestra (1983). Congregation Beth Israel, Portland, OR, December 1983. Cantor Judith Schiff, soprano; David Schiff, conductor. Subsequent performances by the University of Connecticut chorus and orchestra, Cantor Roslyn Jhuniver, soprano; Virginia Hancock, conductor. One hour and 15’.

Comment: This was the first Jewish service written specifically for a woman cantor. It is not a symphonic work (like the Bloch) but was intended to be used in regular Friday evening services, and several of the movements have become part of the standard musical offerings at a number of Reform congregations. Over the years I have added additional prayers for Saturday morning and Hanukah sequence.