About the BKCM Community Klezmer Band
Mondays, 8:00-9:30 PM
Musicians who play strings, winds, brass, percussion and accordion explore a century’s worth of klezmer, examining how the music grew and changed with the migration of Jews from Eastern Europe to North America. Students learn how to recognize, perform and ornament the klezmer modes and discover a set of klezmer repertoire. They perform alongside expert musicians at events like BKCM’s annual Holiday Extravaganza and social jams throughout the year.
No previous background in klezmer or reading music is required, and learning by ear is encouraged. Students joining this class should have basic proficiency on their instruments and be able to play two major scales. If you’re wondering if the BKCM Community Klezmer Band is the right fit for you, please contact the Community Music School Administrative team at cmsadmin@bkcm.org.
Schedule
The BKCM Community Klezmer Band meets on Monday evenings between 8:00-9:30 PM. It runs for 16 weeks, and is available in both the fall and spring semesters.
Klezmer Events
Community Klezmer Band members have several opportunities to perform throughout the year! In 2026-27, we will be hosting Klezmer Jams on September 24 and March 19.
How to Apply
New Students
A short application is required for new students, including an audition video. Please click the link below to find intructions for the audition video and submit your audition online. If you have questions about the application or audition video, please email cmsadmin@bkcm.org.
Returning Students
Students who have previously enrolled in the BKCM Community Klezmer Band are not required to submit an audition video, but must still submit the short application form below. You will have an opportunity to indicate on the form that you are a returning student.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available for qualifying students who are accepted into the program. To learn more about Financial Aid and apply, click here. If you have questions about financial aid, contact Kris Mandapat at kris.mandapat@bkcm.org.
If you have questions about the registration process, call BKCM’s registration desk at 718-622-3300. For complete information on our registration process and policies, please click here.
Faculty
Ira Khonen Temple
Ira Khonen Temple is a multi-instrumentalist, music director, and embedded cultural organizer living in Brooklyn, NY. Recent credits include accordionist for Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish off Broadway, and music director of Indecent at the Weston Playhouse, Great Small Works’ Muntergang and Other Cheerful Downfalls, the Aftselakhis Spectacle Committee Purimshpil, and Zoe Beloff’s Days of the Commune. Ira was a founder of the radical-traditional Yiddish music group Tsibele. Ira creates music that is a doorway between past, present and possible futures. Working with people of diverse ages and backgrounds, Ira develops a new Jewish culture that is politically fresh, relevant, and un-nostalgic while building connections between languages, communities, and time periods. Click here for more information on Ira!
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