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The Kol Nidre – Three Years (and a Millenium) in the Making

No Promises Vocal Band · September 6, 2023

The Kol Nidre – Three Years (and a Millenium) in the Making

The Kol Nidre – Three Years (and a Millenium) in the Making

It was in the teeth of the pandemic, fall of 2020, when we got into Gwynne Sound to record our arrangement of the Kol Nidre, one of Judaism’s most cherished and haunting melodies. As the warm weather allowed, we rehearsed with masks on, outdoors, with some singers following along on Zoom. When we had prepared as best we could, we turned to Gwynne and their strong safety measures, with glass separating the producer, the engineer and the singer. By the end of September, the tune was “in the can.”

As the pandemic lingered on, and public gatherings remained prohibited, and then limited, it never seemed quite the right time to release this piece.

Now, finally, in the weeks leading up to the Jewish High Holy Days of 2023, we are thrilled to share our recording. We’d like to thank our engineer (and former No Promises singer!) Adam Wheeler, as well as the folks at erstwhile Gwynne Sound, and our beloved once-and-future members Matt Croy, Kyle Karnes and Ryan Strand.

What is the Kol Nidre?

The Kol Nidre is one of the most important pieces of musical liturgy in the Jewish faith. It is sung on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the Jewish year. Its lyrics are a kind of formula that release the singer from any false vows made under duress. Many believe that it was developed during medieval times, when Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or Islam to be spared from death. In modern times, the Kol Nidre’s haunting and beautiful melody have made it a cherished part of the Jewish tradition.

Read more about Kol Nidre here.

Where can I see No Promises perform this piece?

We’re not quite ready to sing Kol Nidre live, but we hope to offer the premiere of the piece in early 2024. In the meantime, we have some fantastic programs coming up: