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Larry Karol - News & Reviews

Karol's Music Soaring

Karol's music soaring
By Phil Anderson
The Topeka Capital-Journal
Published Saturday, December 08, 2007
In the years before Rabbi Lawrence P. Karol left Topeka's Temple Beth Sholom to serve Temple Israel in Dover, N.H., he became known across the nation for his work with Jewish music.
Karol, who with his wife, Rhonda, left Topeka in the summer of 2006, recorded a couple of compact discs and was a frequent performer at national Jewish gatherings and local interfaith events.
One of the most memorable of his local performances was in November 2005, when he accompanied himself on guitar at an Interfaith of Topeka Thanksgiving service held that year at Highland Park United Methodist Church.
The otherwise reserved audience clapped enthusiastically as Karol performed his original music that night. Making it even more special was the fact Karol barely got there on time, having returned to Topeka that evening from a Jewish convention in Houston.
It was apparent that not only was Karol feeling more confident and relaxed as a performer but also was getting better at what he was doing musically. That came with lots of hard work and practice.
Now, Karol has authored a new songbook containing his original Jewish music, which has an appeal to people of various faith groups.
"One Light Above: The Larry Karol Songbook" contains sheet music covering tunes from both of his albums to date: "Two are Better than One" and "A New Beginning."
Karol said his motivation in publishing the songbook was to "preserve the music and make it more accessible."
In producing the songbook, Karol said he was privileged to work with Joe Eglash, "who has had many years of experience in managing music projects and notating music."
Eglash owns a company that specializes in such projects and is the creator of oySongs.com, which features recorded and notated Jewish music.
"I hope people who already own my CD recordings and others who learn best from sheet music will find this songbook helpful," Karol said. "Many of the songs are appropriate for interfaith settings, so this is a book that has value beyond the Jewish community."
Make no mistake that Karol's songs have begun making the rounds in Jewish congregations across the nation, which have asked about including his music in their services. Soloists also have contacted Karol seeking to perform his music.
There's no greater compliment for an artist or composer than that.
The songbook will have a special Topeka connection, Karol noted. "I composed all of the music contained in the songbook while I was serving Temple Beth Sholom."
Karol said he remains grateful for the support and encouragement he has received to pursue his musical talents and create songs that "express faith, unity and hope."
Karol's son, Adam, a 2004 Topeka High School graduate, is continuing to pursue his own musical dreams. Adam is a senior at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Karol's songbook is available for $25, which includes postage and handling. Send checks to Karol at Temple Israel, Box 254, Dover, N.H. 03821-0254. Copies also are to be available in the gift shop of Temple Beth Sholom, 4200 S.W. Munson in Topeka.
Visit www.larrykarol.com for more information.
Phil Anderson can be reached at (785) 295-1195 or phil.anderson@cjonline.com.

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