Academic coordinator of undergraduate studies

Dr. Laya Silber

Academic coordinator of undergraduate studies
Telephone
Fax
02-6250461
Email
Laya.Silber@biu.ac.il
Office
Building 1005 Room 12
Reception Hours
By appointment
    CV

    Laya Silber is senior teacher and choral director at the Bar-Ilan University, where she teaches music theory, ear training, and conducting courses. Her research interests include Yiddish art song, American Yiddish theater music and the music of George Gershwin, choral music performance practice, and choral singing and well-being.

    Education

    Ed. D. Columbia University Teachers College. Title of dissertation: "Yiddish Art Song: a Comparative Study of Three Composers Representing Russia, America and Israel." Advisor: Mordecai Rubin, 1983.

    M. Mus. New England Conservatory of Music (choral conducting), 1980.

    B. Mus. Rubin Academy of Music and Dance (theory and conducting), 1978.

    B. Ed. Michlala- Jerusalem College for Women (Judaic Studies), 1975.

     

    Performances – Selection:

    Performer and co-creator, "From Gershwin to Second Avenue," musical revue (included in recommended list of Omanut La'am), 1998-2000 (https://youtu.be/Q9QH0rVvqq8, https://youtu.be/EclAUiwnw7U

    Guest conductor, Jerusalem Oratorio Choir and Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, joint concert in honor of Jerusalem Day Concert, Sultan’s Pool, televised live, 1995

    Conductor: Bet Guvrin Festival, with Jerusalem Oratorio Choir and Tivon Chamber Choir, 1995

    Conductor, Tivon Chamber Choir, "Choral Premieres” (premiere performances of works by Israeli composers), 1995

    Conductor, "Liturgica" Festival, Jerusalem Oratorio Choir and Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, 1994. 

     

    Teaching Experience:

    Bar Ilan University:  Lecturer on theory and conducting, 1984 –

            Director of University choir, 1986 –

            Head of advanced degree conducting program, 2006-                      
            2008                                          

    Jerusalem College for Women: Lecturer on theory and conducting, 1983-1993

                  Department chair, 1991-1992

     

    Other Professional Experience:

     

    Prisoner Rehabilitation:

    “TALAM” (Released Prisoners Employment), choir conductor, 2005

    N’vei Tirza Prison for Women, choir conductor, 2003-2004

     

    Choral Conducting:

    Bar-Ilan University Choir, 1986 -

    Jerusalem Oratorio Choir (approx. 180 singers), 1992-1995

    Jerusalem Oratorio Chamber Choir, 1992-1995

    Tivon Chamber Choir, 1994-1997

    “Kolot” Choir of the Israel Museum, 1991-1992

    Zamir Chorale Jerusalem, 1990-1991

    Conservatory Choir, Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem, 1984-1985

    Yeshiva University, Stern College for Women, 1980-1983

     

    Professional Evaluations:

    Jewish Bible Association, under the aegis of The Department of Education of The Jewish Agency, examiner of students on Prayer Liturgy and Biblical Cantillation, 2005-

    Open University, academic course evaluator, 2015, 2017

    Research

    * The Yiddish Art Song

    * Israeli-Born Composers and the Yiddish Art Song

    * George Gershwin and the American Yiddish Theater

    * The Effects of Multipart Choral Singing on Prisoner Rehabilitation

    Courses

    B.A.

    * Entrance Exams (47-000-01)

    * Music Theory 1 – Lecture (47-110-01)

    * Music Theory 1 – Practicum (47-110-02/03)

    * Counterpoint (47-301-01)

    * Conducting (47-348-01)

    * Choir (47-551/561-01)

    * Ear Training 1 (47-102-01)

    * Ear Training 2 (47-204-01)

    Publications

    Publications:

    2012. Cohen, M. L., Silber, L. Sangiorgio, A., & Iadeluca, V. (2012). At-risk youth: Music-making as a means to promote positive relationships. In G. Welch & G. McPherson (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of music education (Vol. 2, pp. 185-202). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    2010. "Yiddish Art Songs by Israeli Composers: A New Stylistic Interpretation." International Journal of Musicology 11.

    2005. "Bars Behind Bars: The Impact of a Women's Prison Choir on Social Harmony." Music Education Research 7:2, 251-271 (http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14613800500169811?scroll=top&needAccess=true).

    1998. "The Return of Yiddish Music in Israel." Journal of Jewish Music and Liturgy 20, 11-22.   

    1990. "A Jewish Dancer in Exile: The Yiddish Art Songs of Joseph Dorfman." Journal of Synagogue Music 20:1, 5-19.

    1986-87. "Ami Maayani and the Yiddish Art Song." Musica Judaica 9:1, 47-64.

    1985-86. "Ami Maayani and the Yiddish Art Song. Musica Judaica 8:1, 75-86.

     

    Research Grants:

    Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture (1996-1997; 1982-1983).

     

    Guest Lectures:

    ”No More Skittish About Yiddish: Yiddish Art Songs by Israeli Composers”, Amherst Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, 2017

    “Yiddish Art Songs by Israeli Composers” (delivered in Yiddish), Yiddish Voch, Copake, New York, 2016

    “Multi-Part Choral Singing and Rehabilitation”, Latrobe University, Melbourne, Australia, 2009

    “New Israeli Choral Repertoire”, North American Jewish Choral Festival, New York, 1999

    “Israeli Cantorial Music”, Conference of Orthodox Cantors, New York, 1996

    “Israeli Choral Music”, Hebrew College, Boston, Massachusetts, 1994

    “Israeli Music: Characteristic Elements”, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, 1994

    Media

    Television:

    Guest conductor, Jerusalem Oratorio Choir and Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, joint concert in honor of Jerusalem Day Concert, Sultan’s Pool, televised live, 1995 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y5aMpFySfk)

     

    Radio:

    Kol Israel: Conductor, Tivon Chamber Choir, "Choral Premieres” (premiere performances of works by Israeli composers), 1995

     

    Newspapers:

    “The Smile Never Leaves the Face”, performance review by Noam Ben Zeev, Haaretz, 30.11.98

    “Yiddish Today”, article by Eva Weiss, Forward, 28.5.99

    “Headcounts in Two Voices”, article by Noam Ben Zeev, Haaretz, 18.6.03

    Last Updated Date : 25/10/2022