[HANASHIR:5006] Re: Michael Isaacson's ``L'maaseih V'reicheet

[Andy Curry <acurry...>]

Rachelle,

Kol hakavod!  Unfortunately, the two choirs I've sung with (Reform &
Conservative) have not been that way.

There is another choir concept which intrigues me, even though I've never
seen it (the closest would be Hava Nashira worship services!).  That is of
the choir which sings by ear, augmenting the shaliach tzibur through
harmonies and responses.  Sometimes I hear this during services when
several good singers sit together and let themselves be free with the
nusach and its harmonies.

Thanks for writing.

Andy


At 05:05 PM 1/19/00 -0800, you wrote:
>
>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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Andy Curry
6016 Holmes St
Kansas City MO 64110-3034

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