[HANASHIR:5004] Re: Michael Isaacson's ``L'maaseih V'reicheet

[Rachelle and Howard Shubert <notfranz...>]

Hi Andy,

This discussion is most relevant.  I would like to respond to your comment:
"This is
> the main reason why I no longer sing in synagogue choirs during worship
> services. ... I've heard people refer unwittingly to the congregation as
"the audience""

I have also noticed that sometimes choirs contribute a feeling of a theatre
stage/audience relationship instead of a participatory prayer experience.
For this reason had to think it over mightily before accepting the position
of choir director at our temple about a year ago.  After a lot of soul
searching I decided to take on the challenge with the idea that this choir
would act as a "bridge" between bima and congregation.  For this reason I
choose prayer settings which invite the participation of the congregants.
At rehearsals I often talk about the idea of focusing on prayerfulness in
our singing. On the advice of someone on this list, I often choose to
conduct the choir at first, then turn to face the congregation and "conduct"
them as further encouragement.  Just wanted to contribute to this discussion
the idea that it is possible to use the choir format to advantage.

Rachelle Shubert
notfranz (at) total(dot)net

Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom
4100 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3Z 1A5
Telephone:  (514) 937-3575
FAX:  (514) 937-7058





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