Arise

Rick Calvert is an established folk musician and cantorial soloist / temple musician who turned his talents to composing modern settings for liturgical text in 1997. His compositions and performances reveal his dual musical roots of acoustic folk and choral work. His music caught the attention of renowned producer Fran Avni in 1998, leading to his Journeys CD recording project (released October, 2000). Journeys is an inspirational collection of original, contemporary settings for familiar blessings, Sabbath liturgy, and ethical writings. Of this collection, Cantor Ellen Dreskin (Director of Programming, Synagogue 3000; past Associate Dean, Hebrew Union College) writes, 'One never tires of Rick's warm melodies and intricate harmonies. His treatment of the texts is both exhilarating and inspiring.' Rick teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producer Ben Wisch for his second CD, Arise, released in April, 2013. Arise adds to Rick's catalogue of original contemporary settings for Shabbat liturgy and other sacred texts. Rick has taught music at the Temple Beth Tikvah Religious School (Madison, CT) since 1986, and he currently serves as cantorial soloist / temple musician at TBT, and at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, NJ. Rick has performed extensively in the Northeast, and has a growing national reputation, leading to a broader range of performing and service leading around the country. A number of Rick's compositions have received individual accolades. His setting for Yis-m'chu was selected for inclusion in Celebrate Shabbat, a collection of exemplary Shabbat music produced by noted contemporary composer / performer / producer Craig Taubman. Rick's Shehecheyanu was selected for use at Hebrew Union College's 2001 Ordination ceremony (New York), and two of his compositions are Shalshelet award-winners (Kumi, Ori!, 2006 festival; Va-y'daber Elohim, 2010 festival).