Beth Schafer - Spiritual Tunesmith, Singer, Guitarist
Beth Schafer is re-defining Jewish music by combining masterful songwriting with sensitivity to liturgy and unique insight toward text. She specializes in music for Torah-minded adults looking for an extension to their Jewish lives through music. What makes her music special is her attention to the universal themes that not only define Judaism, but many other faiths as well. Beth Schafer won the 2006 American Idol Underground Faith Based competition and is using her win to create new music for interfaith communities. Schafer has degrees in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Miami School of Music and is a trained and much sought after guitarist in styles ranging from Classical to Blues, Folk to Jazz. Beth is the cantorial leader of Temple Shir Shalom in Oviedo, Florida.
The worship experiences that Schafer creates both at home and on the road have been dubbed everything from “exhiliarating” to “incomparable.” She has an innate sense of the rhythm of worship and quickly connects to a congregation’s need to spiritually connect to one another and to God. When Beth leads a group in prayer, no one is a stranger.
Beth's infectious energy, well-crafted songs and intelligent lyrics coupled with a great band has made her a leading act in the Jewish music world. Her audiences are now of all faiths who have found that her messages and music touch them. It is her universality that placed her at center-court for the half-time show at an Orlando Magic game. Because she is comfortable playing both her acoustic guitars and electric and her voice is silky and natural, she has been called on as the "guitarist-in-residence" for the Union for Reform Judaism's national conferences for the past 8 years. She is frequently a featured artist at folk festivals and conferences nationwide drawing a diverse and sophisticated fan-base.
Beth likes making music, loves bringing people together through the power of music, and feels God's presence when it all works right. She has no intention of forcing any beliefs on anyone, but to those who are searching for something greater than themselves, Beth seems to make a magical connection. She is creating modern-day musical midrash, the contemporary interpretations of ancient texts that help us deal with our day to day questions and struggles. She has been told on numerous occasions that she has scored the soundtrack to her fans' lives.
Beth has also been called on as an educator; most recently on faculty at the URJ Scheidt Leadership seminar for temple presidents, where she is an expert on worship transformation and sound issues associated with contemporary music in worship.
The rest of Beth’s calendar is filled with appearances as an artist-in-residence in communities across North America. Her band consists of seasoned veterans who have played with many greats from Orleans to Elton John while her shows blend healthy doses of concert, theater and inspiration.
Her 6 CDs of original music have become favorites in synagogues as well as churches and spiritual radio stations of many denominations. Her newest CD “Build That Bridge,” with the title song written and recorded with “Still the One” singer, Larry Hoppen, was released in July.
The Non-Music Music Interview on Beth Schafer's new CD, Build That Bridge
If your music was available in an exclusive retail store which store would it be? Walmart, Target, Macy’s, Sharper Image or a Mom ‘n’ Pop Operation?
Sharper Image-because it makes you say “Yeah, I need that, but I didn’t even know someone made it.”
If your music was a candy what would it be?
Chocalate covered pretzels, a sophisticated combination of sweet and salt, baby.
If the person who bought your music were to go on vacation and take you on their ipod, your music would be the perfect soundtrack for what kind of location?
A large city with a diverse population. This music is about being a resident of a big, complicated world where you are a vital cog that makes the whole machine work.
What color is your music?
Yellow. Warms you like sunshine on a 75 degree day.
Is your music briefs or boxers?
As a woman this is kind of a tough one, but I’m going with boxers.
What time of day is your music?
Good for going to work, and coming home…is that cheating?
Party or retreat?
Mostly Party.
What word is your music?
Yes!
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In addition to enjoying making and listening to music, leading her congregation, Temple Shir Shalom in Oviedo, FL, Beth has been happily married for 16 years and has two yummy daughters.