Newly-formed group to perform at White House

When the Jewish a cappella group Hooshir formed this semester, it had only one date on its concert schedule -- its Dec. 18 performance for the President of the United States.\nWhite House staffers contacted Hillel International, a group that supports Jewish campus life, looking for entertainment for the White House Hanukkah party, and the organization told them to get in touch with the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center at IU.\nHillel International recommended IU because of an annual event called "Campus Superstar: Hoosier Idol," which is a singing contest put on by the Hillel Center similar to the television show American Idol, senior Ben Ellerin, one of the group's two musical directors, said. The renowned talent of the IU Jacobs School of Music didn't hurt either.\nThe IU Hillel Center did not have a singing group formed when the White House called, so students had to form one.\nHooshir's faculty advisor, ethnomusicology professor Judah Cohen, helped get the word out about auditions for the group at the beginning of the semester. Cohen, with help from IU Hillel Director Rabbi Sue Shifron and IU's two other a cappella groups, Ladies First and Straight No Chaser, sent notes across campus to attract as many singers as possible.\n"We had more people signing up for auditions than we had times for," Cohen said.\nOrganizers eventually found 18 students to perform in Hooshir.\nThe name Hooshir means "it's a song" in Hebrew, Litvak said. \n"And it sounds like Hoosier," he said. \nThe group's main performance will be on Dec. 18 for the President's Hanukkah party, though the students will also perform four to six additional songs on Dec. 17 at a prominent Washington synagogue. \n"The four to six additional songs explain the Jewish experience," senior Iva Litvak, the other musical director said.\nThe songs are either traditional Jewish a cappella songs or songs with a Jewish theme arranged by the group, Litvak said.\nEllerin led voice exercises for the group in the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center Monday night. The group circled-up to stretch its vocals cords as they sang the words "I love to sing."\nAfter warming up, the group proceeded to rub each other's shoulders. Conversation and small talk ensued as the group members caught up on each other's weekend activities.\n"We usually practice twice a week," Litvak said.\nThis week, the group will practice four times because of two upcoming concerts. One is on Sunday in Carmel, Ind., and the other is on Dec. 14 in Bloomington.\nThe concert that is paramount in the minds of the group members is the one at the White House.\n"I think we're prepared," Litvak said. "I'm more nervous about meeting the President than singing."\nThe group will sing four songs for the President titled "Dreidel Do-Wop," "Caundo el Ray Nimrod," "S'vivon" and "D'rishat." \n"Dreidel Do-Wop" was inspired by the song "I Have a Little Dreidel," Litvak said. "Caundo el Ray Nimrod" is a song in the language Ladino, which is a mixture of Spanish and Hebrew. "S'vivon" and "D'rishat" are traditional Hanukkah songs. Before the Hanukkah party, Hooshir will sing the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, and a song called "Maoz Tzor" at a candle-lighting ceremony Litvak said. The songs were chosen by Cohen. \nPerforming at the White House is a big honor, but the group is prepared Ellerin said.\n"We have exceeded our expectations and been able to reach the level we need to be at to perform at the White House"