Mood Mix with Aba Berkowitz

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f there’s anything that makes ABA BERKOWITZ happy, it’s sharing in his clients’ simchahs. As the owner and conductor of Lev Choir, a New York-based adult choir, he loves helping people actualize their personal musical vision for their special night.

A SONG THAT HAS AMAZING, ORIGINAL VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS 

While choir vocals used to be viewed as a more integral part of the arrangement, most contemporary arrangers think more about the music when they produce a song. You’ll notice that Mona Rosenblum’s arrangements often include a key role for choir, and Yoeli Dikman is one of the few younger arrangers who also uses a choir creatively as part of his productions. Dudi Kalish is a master of choir arrangements. He produced the choirs for Lipa’s albums, and also produced a set of a cappella albums called Chassidishe Oitzros, in which he uses the voices for counterpoint and answering harmonies with incredible effect. He managed to produce songs in full “color,” with vocals in place of music.

THE MUSIC I MISS DURING SEFIRAH

During the year, I’m too busy to listen to music for pleasure, because I’m constantly learning songs that my clients have requested for their events. I don’t have much time to just sit in my car and listen and relax. It’s ironic that now, during Sefirah, there are obviously far fewer events, and I have the time, but what can you do?