Portal:Music/Mitteler Rebbe's Choir

The Mitteler Rebbe’s Choir was established by the Chassidim of the Mitteler Rebbe (Rabbi DovBer Schneuri) around the year 5574, shortly after he assumed the leadership of Chabad. The Rebbe was personally involved in directing the choir and gave specific instructions regarding their performances. The choir’s primary role was to sing and play music in the presence of the Rebbe during farbrengens and public events, such as Chanukah candle lightings and the Lag BaOmer outings to the fields. At special times—especially when seeking to inspire joy and spiritual arousal—the Mitteler Rebbe would summon the choir, sit by the window, and listen to their melodies while watching the horses run outside. In addition to performing, the choir also composed new niggunim, significantly expanding the Chabad musical repertoire during this period. The main composer was the Chassid Reb Peiva Zhabner. The choir was divided into two sections: one focused on vocal performance, while the other played musical instruments, typically accompanying the singing on weekdays.