A rousing choir performance
 
REVIEWED BY SHIRLEY KUPSHIK
BRETT Kaye and the Central Choir, conducted by choirmaster Myron Blecher, sang a delightful selection of popular songs as well as some beautiful tephilot (prayers) from their synagogue repertoire at the Musical Medley of Favourites performance at Mount Scopus on June 4.
The guest chazan, Shimon Walles, joined Brett and the choir on stage for two memorable performances, one in each half of the program. 
Walles wowed the audience with his rich tenor voice and left the audience in no doubt that this young man will soon join the ranks of the many world-class chazanim that Australia has produced.¬†One of the many highlights of the evening was the stirring performance of M’heira by the six young boys in the choir, who each took turns in leading solo parts of the melody.¬†
The show was compered by Michael Cohen, deputy principal of Bialik College, who had the audience roaring with laughter with his charismatic sense of humour and frequent injection of South African wit. The musical backings produced by Craig Bryant were lively and well suited to the performances of the choir and soloists. 
The concert was outstanding and immensely enjoyable with Brett Kaye thrilling the audience with his powerful melodious voice and soulful renditions. His moving performance of Zeide was a highlight. The finale was a rousing performance by Kaye and the choir of the latest arrangement of Oseh Shalom, which was performed for the first time in Australia after Blecher had obtained permission from the composer Stephen Levey in the United Kingdom.
 
Photo: Brett Kaye and the Central Choir in concert, conducted by Myron Blecher.   Photo by: Marc Blecher