Benjamin Gruder Musical Director, Arbel Chorale

Photo: K. Allen

Benjamin Gruder joined Arbel as director in the fall of 1999. In addition to Arbel, Gruder, 42, currently directs a synagogue choir in the New York City area. He also sings bass with the Zamir Chorale in NYC and Shirah in New Jersey and plays bass guitar with a rock band.

In prior years, he has played trumpet with two different classical orchestras as well as a Haitian band and a Dixieland jazz group. A composer and arranger too, Gruder has directed and performed many of his own works in synagogue settings.

When not driving from gig to gig, Gruder gives bar and bat mitzvah training and remedial Hebrew lessons. He holds BS in Music Education from Memphis State University and a BA from Williams College.

Lovers of joy, come sing!