About the Composer
For the third consecutive year Kol Nashim is delighted to have commissioned a new work by a local composer, with the assistance of the Bain Family Foundation.
“The Valley Awakens,” by Fort Collins – based composer David B. Wohl, with text by Israeli poet Joanna Chen, will be premiered at Raisins & Almonds (1/26/2020).
The multi-talented Mr. Wohl is an award-winning composer, and an active keyboardist and musical director.
His many composing credits include a Best Film Score Award, Moondance International Film Festival; credits on TV shows (CBS, PBS, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Food Network); music for local theatre productions at the Bas Bleu Theatre Companyand Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and three grants from the Colorado Council on the Arts.
David’s keyboard performances feature jazz, classical, funk, ragtime, Broadway, Latin, and contemporary piano improvisations, and he is an Enlightened Piano Radio and One World Music artist. His recent CD, Awakening Path, can be found on iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music, and CD Baby, and features original instrumental works and solo piano excursions and improvisations. 
Over the years, David has been a musical director/keyboardist for numerous productions. As musical director of The Color Purple (Aurora Fox Theater), he shared the Henry Award for direction and musical direction. He has also performed as pit pianist of the Broadway touring shows Beautiful, Dream Girls, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Sweet Charity.
For a comprehensive overview of credits, performances, and audio excerpts, please visit:
WEBSITE: www.davidwohlmusic.com
About the text
In “The Valley Awakens,” the terebinth tree is a metaphor for the strength we can all experience if we support one another – “together we are strong.” Interspersed with the English is the well-known Hebrew text, “Etz Chayim Hi” (It is a Tree of Life). The Tree of Life represents the Torah, holding the Jewish people “together as one.” As the texts increasingly intertwine, soaring melody, harmony, and rhythmic vigor carry the message of strength in unity (both as people and as a People) to an uplifting finish.
The Valley Awakens/Joanna Chen
The Valley awakens to a new day
Etz Chayim–
Our hearts are open to a new way
Etz Chayim hi
Behold the terebinth
Her branches weave and grow
Etz Chayim hi lamachazikim bah
Her roots delve deep in the earth below
V’tomcheha m’ushar
Holding the earth together as one
D’racheha darchai no’am
Holding the earth together as one
B’yachad, lo l’vad
B’yachad, yad b’yad
B’yachad we belong
The valley awakens to anew day
Together we are strong