Awarded The American Prize for Excellence in the Arts 2018 and 2023



JUDAH AND HIS MACCABEES:
A Hanukkah Gospel Story

Winner of The American Prize for Excellence in the Arts 2018, 2023 brought Judah to UCLA's Royce Hall performed by America's Got Talent Finalists and Golden Buzzer winners Angel City Chorale, a 200 voice choir and orchestra. Schools K-12, colleges, community choirs, temples and churches alike celebrate this exciting, unique, non-traditional choral work. The multi-award winning Judah premiered before an audience of thousands on Christmas Eve at the Los Angeles Music Center. Then, along with Stevie Wonder, it was featured at Stevie's Institute of the Blind 50th Anniversary Celebration. Renowned musicologist Nick Strimple then taught and performed Judah at the Jewish Choral Festival. Judah went on to win finalist in the U.S.A. Songwriting Competition. The Beverly Hills International Chamber Music Orchestra, comprised of child prodigies from around the world, featured Judah as the finale of their 2005 festival. In 2010, Dallas, Atlanta, Portland and San Francisco joined in celebrating Judah's 10th anniversary. Dallas' renowned Turtle Creek Chorale as well as the 200 voice San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus featured the very first all male arrangements of Judah in 3 sold out concerts on Christmas Eve. 2011 marked it's international debut in South Africa and Israel, along with domestic performances in Atlanta, Cincinatti, Chicago, Pittsburg, Washington DC, Ohio, Boston, New York, Florida, Portland, Palm Springs, San Diego. Available on Karen's own Choirs On Fire, the Angel City Chorale CD: A Gift of the Angels and A Hanukkah Celebration.

CAROLINA CHRISTMAS
Carolina Christmas debuted as the finale jewel in North Carolina at the Cary Performing Arts Center December 2013, along with the composers Karen Hart and Michael Kelsh, the Concert Singers of Cary and the Triangle Orchestra. The beautiful multi-media presentation had the audience in tears with a standing ovation. It is available on Karen's own Choirs On Fire.

SHAKE MY FAITH:
A Passover Gospel Story

Winner of the American Prize for Excellence In The Arts 2023, Morten Lauridsen declares "Shake My Faith is wonderful! Bravo!!" Fresh, new, joyous and humorous at the same time, the long awaited bookend to "Judah and His Maccabees: A Hanukkah Gospel Story" is fast becoming a welcome addition to spring concert programs and Sedars everywhere.

HEY, BABY JESUS!
A Christmas Gospel Story

Hey, Baby Jesus! is an upbeat holiday spiritual that is a favorite of high school students throughout the country. It premiered at the Los Angeles Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in 1997, and was followed by a broadcast on PBS. The lyric is a contemporary vernacular play on words, and loads of fun for today's choral singers! The solos can be divided up among all voice parts, and shared by multiple singers. Available on Karen's own Choirs On Fire as well as the Angel City Chorale CD A Gift of the Angels. In 2008, it was recommended by Nashville Songwriters Association International to be included on their holiday CD collection.

I LOVE A RAINBOW
This award winning piece was commissioned by Dr. Iris Levine, Director of Vox Femina. Karen took the prose and poetry writings of Hamilton High students, edited them and set them to music for this special Tolerance Project. It premiered in 2002 at The Zipper Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and continues to be sung by K-12, college and community choirs throughout the nation. A new SATB and young voices arrangement is now available. The award winning recording is available on Karen's own Choirs On Fire as well as the Vox Femina CD: Simply...

TOTALLY EXPOSED
This beautiful, haunting, classical award-winning piece for women's voices and now SATB mixed voices remains a favorite for everyone who has ever sung it. Available on the Vox Femina CD Simply... as well as Karen's own Choirs On Fire.

A SCATILICIOUS CHRISTMAS:
A Jazzy Tribute To Winter Wonderland

Premiered in North Carolina at the Cary Performing Arts Center December 2013, this jazzy, scatty, humorous take on Winter Wonderland had the audience smiling bright on that shining night. It is available on Karen's own Choirs On Fire.