Competition finalists:

SHIRA U’TFILA (SERVIA)

THE ORION ENSEMBLE (NETHERLANDS)

SHE’KOYOKH (ENGLAND)

KLEZMER KAOS (FRANCE)

VOCOLOT (U.S.A.)

ENSEMBLE HILDA BRONSTEIN (ENGLAND)

And the winners are...

Prize Winners IJMF International Jewish Music Competition 2008

Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, 11 mei 2008

Ale Brider Prize        

- Orion Ensemble (Netherlands)

For the most inspiring performance of the compulsory piece, “Ale Brider”

Award: 500 euros

Presented by:

Frank London of the Klezmatics

Mira Rafalowicz Prize    

- Hilda Bronstein (England)

For the best Yiddish song interpretation

Award: 1000 euros

Presented by:

Singer Shura Lipovsky

B’nai B’rith Prize        

- Me la amargates tú (Netherlands)

Encouragement prize for a young Dutch ensemble

Award: Invitation to perform for 2000 euros at the European Day of Jewish Cultural Heritage

Presented by:

Rami de Lieme of B’nai B’rith Nederland

IJMF Foundation Simcha Prize        

Mama Doni (USA)

For inspiring joy through music

Award: 500 euros

Presented by:

Jules van Hessen, chairman IJMF Foundation

IJMF Audience Prize

Shira U’tfila (Serbia)

The audience’s choice for best ensemble

Award: Concert engagement IJMF 2009

Presented by:

Amsterdam Alderman Fatima Elatik

RASA Award        

Shira U’tfila (Serbia)

For the Best World Music Ensemble

Award: Concert tour in the Netherlands & Belgium

Presented by:

RASA Director, & programmer of World Music for the Concertgebouw, Wieland Eggermont

IJMF First Prize 

She’Koyokh (England)

The jury’s choice for best ensemble

Award: 

- Possesion of Grand Prize Trophy for One Year (Alabaster/Belgian Bluestone & Diamond from Gassan Diamonds) 

- 3000 euros

- Concert engagement IJMF 2009

Presented by:

Jury chairman, Dutch Supreme Court justice Ernst Numann

Contestant biographies:

Brief biographies in English w/ photos, CLICK HERE

Brief biographies in Dutch w/ photos, CLICK HERE

Jury

Ernst Numann, Justice in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, chaired the jury comprised further of leading figures from the music industry:

Frank London (The Klezmatics)

Wieland Eggermont (RASA World Music Center; world music programmer Concertgebouw)

Jules van Hessen (Conductor)

Shura Lipovsky (Singer)

René Samson (Composer)

Contestants

The competition is for musicians and ensembles with a goal of an international career focusing on Jewish music. This includes classical, liturgical, folk, pop, and klezmer music, and music by Jewish composers with clearly discernible Jewish elements.