On Wednesday and Thursday this week at the "Eshkol Pais" the young talented musicians and singers nurtured in the Music Room by their mentor Daniel Alloni, a talented D.J. and soundman, put on a splendid show for the citizens of Beit Shemesh and the surrounding localities. The evening program, which was in fact the Music Room's first "end of year project", included live performances by three local rock bands, a male singer and three female singers.

The "Music Room Project", a unique program initiated at the beginning of 2002 by Daniel Alloni in cooperation and funding from the Jewish Agency's Beit Shemesh - Adulam - Washington - South Africa Partnership 2000 Program, provides a venue for rehearsals for young musicians and singers who cannot afford the expenses of traveling to rehearsal halls and recording studios outside of Beit Shemesh.

"For years I was forced to travel out of town to rehearse and record. The expenses were too much and I had to quit" Daniel Alloni explains the motive behind his initiative, "I wanted to give young people in Beit Shemesh a chance to nurture their gifts".

Indeed, everyday the Music Room is packed full with young people. More than 30 musicians along side a male singer and three female singers use the facility free of charge. "If in the past, musicians were forced to travel out of town in order to play their music" continues Daniel, "today musicians from other localities come to Beit Shemesh to rehearse. The folks at the Music Room are exceptionally talented and the interaction with their friends has produced some outstanding work".

The concept for the "Music Room" was developed in 2000. Twenty-seven year old Daniel applied for a scholarship so he could study at the Music Academy and the Jewish Agency granted the scholarship on condition that "he dedicates time to develop and initiate some sort of cultural program in Beit Shemesh". And thus with a willing heart Daniel initiated, with no funding, a music room program at the Zinman Community Center. After about one year, the program was transferred to the "Eshkol Pais" Art Center facilities with the sole support of Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 Program.

By the way, the sound equipment and music instruments used for rehearsals and during concerts and municipal ceremonies are privately owned. Recently, the Community Center Network, headed by Eliv Vanunu, donated additional sound equipment that the bands can use during rehearsals and concerts.

"Activities focus primarily on the young rock bands and young singers in Beit Shemesh and the surrounding localities in hope that we can put together a series of concerts that will help enhance cultural life in the Region" explains Daniel the program's music counselor who also runs a professional recording studio out of his home in Moshav Yishai. Much of his work goes well beyond his commitment to the Jewish Agency and the great success of this program can well be attributed to the tireless efforts of this energetic young man.

And so the town had the good fortune to taste one of the sweetest fruits of Daniel Alloni's Music Room. Anyone who is wishes to join or would like additional information on this program can contact Daniel Alloni at 050-262471.

Heshvan 5763 - October 2002