Book Now : European Cantors Association's 14th Cantors Convention
Budapest, Hungary, 2nd - 7th November 2022

Back after the pandemic, European Cantors is staging its 14th Convention, returning in 2022 to Budapest - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this time based at the beautifully restored Rumbach Street Synagogue (pictured) which is celebrating its 150th Anniversary

A gathering for all those who love the music of Jewish prayer

Our theme is 'Invigorating Nusach for the 21st Century'

Join with like-minded people to share knowledge and experience, gain new insights and material, build personal networks, make new friends and sing together.

Renowned cantors, choirs and Jewish music experts from the UK, Europe, Israel and the US, across the spectrum of Jewish worship, will lead sessions and entertain us with their music.

In partnership with the Federation of the Hungarian Jewish Communities (MAZSIHISZ), Lowell Milken Center for Music of the American Jewish Experience UCLA, UK Jewish Music Institute and SOAS University of London, we present a memorable and wholly delightful experience.

Our faculty this year includes:

Cantors Asher Hainovitz (Jerusalem), Benny Rogosnitzky (New York), Beny Maissner (Toronto), Deborah Katchko Gray (Ridgefield, USA),
Jeremiah Lockwood (New York), Natan Baram (Los Angeles) and Isidoro Abramowicz (Berlin). Professor Mark Kligman (Los Angeles) plus Choirs and Choirmasters : Jonny Greenstein (Israel), Alan Freedman (London) and Alexander Tsaliuk (Moscow).

Session highlights include:

• the Hungarian Cantorial and Choral Traditions

• panels with eminent cantors on the importance (or otherwise) of Nusach in the 21st Century

• how to teach Nusach and maintain its framework in a world which celebrates diversity and new approaches.   

• what the Pandemic has taught us in creating Ruach in our communities and connecting with Kehillot in ways previously not thought about.  

• two sessions on the Katchko-Alter nusach, led by cantors intimately connected with that mode

• a special session on the Sunday morning, which will focus on correlation between the text and music of the Tefillah.

There will also be two new features this year….  

• delegates have the opportunity to sign up for a Creative Choral Ensemble of their choice - featuring topics from ancient music to new compositions - for a performance created in workshops through the Convention 
• lunchtime recitals featuring soloists, choirs and an orchestra. 

….plus the usual regulars of Masterclasses with signature cantors, the Open Mic,
a full programme of daily and Shabbat services, networking, and the Gala Concert on the last evening of the Convention.

Convention fees for all delegates £245 (£145 for students)
Accompanying guests and choir members £125

Accommodation is not included

The registration form is here. Send when complete to convention@cantors.eu

The working programme (subject to change) is here

Alex Klein, ECA Director, writes:

With all the doom and gloom going on in the world, for which we pray for peace, let us share with you a little light – the next European Cantors Convention.

Called: ‘Invigorating Nusach for the 21st Century’, this is planned for Wednesday 2 to Monday 7 November 2022 at the magnificent and recently refurbished Rumbach Synagogue, Budapest Hungary, in conjunction with the Hungarian Jewish Community.

There will be study sessions, masterclasses, and joyous singing and praying together in harmony with open mike opportunities. There will be a Gala concert on the evening of Sunday 6 November.

Convention ends on Monday morning with an optional tour of Jewish Budapest and visit to a famous spa.

Over the last few years, we have all seen huge changes taking place in how we look at life surrounding our synagogues. Online services, concerts and programmes have uplifted, inspired and connected people wherever they live as never before. With the popularity of Zoom we have more choices available and the ability to visit congregations around the world virtually.

What we have witnessed, week in and week out, is that the public want and need tradition and music in their prayers. Cantors have been the heroes, coming up with innovative ideas to keep services fresh, sustain interest and keep communities together.

We at ECA have made many new friends across the ether, widening our horizons. Zoom has given everyone from the many branches of Judaism the opportunity to join together to look at Jewish worship and the best way it can be expressed.

The Convention is open to everyone, and we encourage not only cantors, but rabbis and synagogue lay leaders and congregants also to participate and to taste the joy of the atmosphere for which ECA is renowned. We hope you will all join us in Budapest.

The registration form is here