Klezmer music began in medieval Europe, where bands of itinerant Jewish musicians went from town to town playing for Jewish festivals and special events. By the 19th century, klezmer music had become a well-developed musical style, taking its inspiration not only from the synagogue, but from the non Jewish culture that surrounded it. In America, immigrant Jewish musicians adapted this music to the new rhythms and instruments they found, creating new klezmer forms. Until the 1940s, klezmer orchestras flourished, but with the new styles of music, and the immigrant Jews’ desire to appear “American,” the klezmer tradition faded. Today, however, a klezmer revival is in full swing.

Carl Dimow, flute and guitar; Anne-Marie D’Amico, tuba; Julie Goell, strings, vocals and bass; Nancy 3. Hoffman, keyboard, accordion and vocals; Ed Roseman, strings and clarinet; Keefe Jackson, clarinet; and Hayes Porterfield, drums.

Located midway between the coast and mountains in south-central Maine, Bates is a 142-year old undergraduate college of the liberal arts and sciences and is rated among the top 25 national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report. Bates offers majors in 23 academic departments and six interdisciplinary programs and encourages independent study, research with faculty members and participation in off-campus programs. Bates does not require standardized-test results for admission.