Keene, NH --- The Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College was sold out May 3, 2008 for debut performance of  "Kaddish," a major new work for chorus, soloists and chamber orchestra by New Hampshire composer Lawrence Siegel.  Over five hundred guests, including Holocaust survivors from around the country, Holocaust scholars, and numerous dignitaries – including the widow of U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos, (CA) the only Holocaust survivor to serve in the United States Congress – attended the debut.  Other dignitaries included former New Hampshire Governor Walter Peterson; U.S. Congressman Paul Hodes (NH); David Caruso, Antioch University New England President.  The performance drew such interest that a public "simulcast" of the May 3 performance was added, with seating in the art center's Recital Hall.  Following several standing ovations for the composer, the soloists, the orchestra and chorus, two hundred audience members attended a post-performance reception where they met the composer, the performers and Holocaust survivors.  Keene State College President, Helen Giles-Gee called the evening "nothing short of remarkable."

The performance was preceded by a dinner at the Spaulding Gym at the College, attended by over five hundred guests, and included an in-absentia tribute to the founder of the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies, Dr. Charles Hildebrandt.

"Kaddish: Music of Remembrance and Hope" will be performed next at the Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in its professional world premiere with the vocal ensemble VocalEssence, under the direction of maestro Philip Brunelle. That performance is November 15, 2008, as part of the 40th anniversary season of VocalEssence, with ticket sales beginning July 1.  VocalEssence is internationally recognized for the innovative exploration of music for voices and instruments and the world premiere of Kaddish continues that tradition.

 "Kaddish" was commissioned by The Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies in Keene to mark its 25th anniversary.  The composition was intended to use the power of music to teach about the Holocaust and to emphasize the responsibility we share in preventing future tragedies, according to Jan Cohen, executive producer.  "Genocide is an ongoing global crisis," Cohen said. " The fact that the intentional and systematic destruction of entire cultures continues makes 'Kaddish' relevant to people of all backgrounds."

Siegel traveled to Poland and the Czech Republic and met with Holocaust survivors in North America to prepare his composition. The stories he collected were adapted, set to music and eventually became the 15-movement piece now known as "Kaddish."  A "Kaddish" is a traditional Jewish prayer for the dead, yet it celebrates life.

The performance in Keene included soloists Peggo Horstmann-Hodes, soprano; Pamela Stevens, mezzo-soprano; Ryan Turner, tenor; and David Ripley, baritone, plus a chorus of 50 voices and a chamber orchestra.

The American Composers Forum awarded one of about 150 Continental Harmony grants to the composer to help underwrite the creation of Kaddish. Kaddish was also funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

More information may be found at http://www.kaddishproject.org or call 603-358-2300 To purchase tickets for November 15, 2008 performance, more information may be found at http://www.vocalessence.org.