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Practice, Practice, Practice

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The community band, not affiliated with any agency
or synagogue, practices at Fleischman Residence in
West Bloomfield, a facility for senior adults.
"It's been a win-win situation," Cantor Dubov says.
"The older adults love the presence of the kids, and the
kids are getting that great feeling that performing a
mitzvah can bring."
For Jason Nunez of Southfield, who plays drums
. with the group, band practices have sparked a special
connection between him and his great-grandmother.
"I pick her up before my rehearsals and she comes
with me," says 16-year-old- Jason, whose parents Diane
and Ralph Nunez help organize the parent sector of
the group.
"When the "band rehearsed at Fleischman, Jason's
great-grandmother discovered she had two friends
there," Diane Nunez says.
"The three of them sat together and listened to the
music," says Jason, a three-year member of the group.
Being in the band is a serious commitment. In addi-
tion to rehearsals, members (who must have two years'
experience on their instrument before auditioning) are
required to take private music lessons on a weekly
basis.
"These kids are all great musicians and are very
enthusiastic about what they are clOing," says Asa
Shani, Oren's father and a parent volunteer for the
band.
"I have improved lots on my saxophone talents
while I was in the band," Oren says.
The all-day workshop they had with the New
Orleans Klezmer All-Star Band following their appear-
is the next in a series of concerts for the youthful band.
ance here this past year, is one of the major contribut-
Other venues have included Walt Disney World in
ing factors for the Kids Klez Band's success, according
Orlando, Fla., and Michigan Opera Theatre in
-
to Cantor Dubov.
Detroit.
"At every rehearsal and performance since then, they
"I have been involved with the Michigan Kidz Klez
have sounded more like a true klezmer band," he says.
Band for a little over two years and so far, it has been a
For Oren, participation in the band is well worth
blast," says Oren, a tenor sax player. "There hasn't been the time and effort it demands.
a dull moment."
"I enjoy being a part of the band," he says. "I feel
As a klezmer band, the group typically plays instru-
very proud that I can experience my being Jewish
mental Eastern European Jewish folk music and
through playing Jewish music. When I play the music
Hebrew melodies, but the young musicians will
for audiences, I like to see the people enjoying them-
include something different for the Carnegie Hall con-
selves and having fun."
cert.
Making plans for the group's upcoming trip, Cantor
"Since the July 4th weekend is just a few days after
Dubov says: "The sale of CDs has a serious impact on
the show, and considering the events of 9-11, we'll do
their being able to afford going. It's not every day that
some patriotic music, too," Cantor Dubov says.
Jewish youth in our own back yard, press and release a
While the band's performances are primarily instru-
CD, and get a chance to perform at Carnegie Hall." ❑
mental, the cantor occasionally sings with them, as he
will when they play "Rumania, Rumania" in the
The cost is $18 for the Kidz Klez Band of
Carnegie Hall concert.
Hoping to encourage attendance, Cantor Dubov
Michigan CD, Carnegie Hall or Bust. To order,
and his wife, Christine, also are compiling an itinerary
access the Web site at: wvvw.cantordubov.org
for Detroiters to visit New York, which will include a
or call (248) 752-6669.
ticket to the performance.

Teen members of local klezmer band are invited

to perform on stage in New York City.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN

StaffWriter

W

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hen Oren Shani of Rochester Hills
joined the Kidz Klez Band of Michigan,
he never imagined the affiliation could
lead to a performance at New York City's
famous Carnegie Hall.
The invitation, arranged by the band's director,
Cantor Stephen Dubov of Congregation Chaye Olam,
also took Oren and his 27 band mates to another
musical milestone.
"They have recorded their fund-raising CD entitled
Carnegie Hall or Bust," says Cantor Dubov, who
founded the community-based group five years ago.
"We will need a lot of Jewish community support
and encouragement because the more support we get,
the more impact we will have on people who enjoy
Jewish music," says 14-year-old Oren, urging sales of
the group's first compact disk. "I know that many
Jewish people love our music and it makes them emo-
tional and happy to hear young people playing tradi-
tional Jewish music."
The Carnegie Hall appearance, scheduled for July 1,

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2002

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