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Cantor Sheldon Merel—Biographical Sketch
Cantor
Sheldon F. Merel,
SHELDON
F.MEREL, cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego, is a graduate
of the Hebrew Union College-School of Sacred Music in New York City, and has
previously served congregations in the mid-west, Oakland, California and Holy
Blossom Temple in Toronto. During his illustrious career, Merel has presented
concerts of Jewish music throughout North America at: Notre Dame University, San
Francisco Opera House, Purdue University, Stratford Music Festival (Canada), San
Diego State University, Copley Symphony Hall (San Diego), and Sherwood
Auditorium in La Jolla. He was guest soloist with symphony orchestras in
Toronto, San Francisco, Oakland, Tulsa, Los Angeles, San Diego, and sang the
cantorial chants in the Emmy Award winning documentary film, "Homage to
Chagall". He was a member of the Talent Bank of the San Francisco Opera
Guild, and won first place among lyric tenors in the Chicago Tribune Music
Competitions
In
1987, he received the coveted "Man of the Year" award for outstanding
music programming from the San Diego Jewish Community Center.
In 1991, he was soloist on a CD recording, with the Philharmonia
Orchestra of London, and in 1998 received an honorary Doctor of Music from the
Hebrew Union College in recognition of his many years of distinguished service
as cantor plus contributions to his community.
Merel’s latest CD, Standing
Ovation, with songs recorded live-in-concert, was produced by his
wife, Marcie in 1998, and includes: Broadway hits, opera, liturgical music, a
Chanukah lighting ceremony, excerpts from a thrilling Passover Oratorio (sung in
English), plus delightful novelty songs. The CD, Standing Ovation can be
ordered on line from www.Soundwrite.com.
During
World War II, Sheldon Merel graduated from the New York State Maritime Academy
and sailed as an Engineering Officer in the United States Merchant Marine. After
the war, he earned a Bachelor of
Business Administration from the College of the City of New York before entering
the cantorate. Congregation Beth Israel granted emeritus status to Cantor Merel
after twelve years of outstanding service, and he continues to be an active part
of the congregation. He is a
charter member of the American Conference of Cantors, and he and his wife,
Marcie, (a past President of the Jewish Family Service of San Diego) have three
children and two grandchildren.
EXCERPTS
FROM THE PRESS ABOUT CANTOR SHELDON F.MEREL
".....Cantor Sheldon Merel enthralled the crowd with his survey of Jewish
music. He displayed the soundness
and ease in his vocal technique that one expects from the finest operatic and
concert artist. With these artistic
assets, plus interesting commentaries and ever changing moods and rhythms, this
tenor held the rapt attention of the audience and received a warm acclaim at the
close."
(Kitchner ©Waterloo Record, Ontario)
"....
in the cantorial concert, one of the most vocally nimble was Sheldon Merel of
Toronto's Holy Blossom Temple who executed the lovely intricately modulated
V'Shamru prayer".
(Globe and Mail,Toronto)
(Oakland Tribune)
"....
Sheldon Merel was able to interpret and also to project with excellent diction
and vocalism
"....thank
you for a superb performance of the solo part in Ernest Bloch's "Sacred
Service" at the