[HANASHIR:5032] Re: Michael Isaacson

[Daniel A. Singer <dasinger...>]

That's great to hear.  I'm glad it worked out so well.  I'd like to know
what people consider "performance-y."  Does the fact that people weren't
singing with you mean that they weren't spiritually or musically involved?
Do we have to have everyone singing with us in order to not make it a
performance?  Or can we spiritually involve people without making them
sing?  Certainly if they were bobbing their head, tapping their feet,
swaying, hitting a tin can, or dancing around the room, they are involved
somehow, right?  Does the lack of vocal responses to our music make it any
less of a spiritual occation?  I've actually sometimes felt the most
connected during the silent meditation portion of our services.  Sometimes
just appreciating the beauty of silence or the beauty of music can be just
as uplifting as singing, don't you think?  I think that the choice is up to
the congregation, but our job is to make them feel comfortable enough to
involve themselves in any way that brings them closer to their own
fulfillment. In reality, whether they are singing with us or not, it's
still a performance, right?  I'm just curious to hear other opinions.  I
don't know why this particular subject sparked my curiousity.  I don't
normally reply to this list.

Dan


At 11:42 AM 1/23/00 EST, you wrote:
>Well, the Michael Issacson service Friday night went with our a hitch.  Our 
>combined adult, youth, and junior choirs were wonderful.  There were no 
>problems with the sound system or cues for the recorded accompaniment.  The 
>congregation loved it.  My one concern as a choir member was that it was too 
>"performance-y" because we were singing and rest of the congregation was 
>listening.  But they were bopping their heads and swaying to the music.
If I 
>was going to do anything differently, it would have been to more actively 
>invite everyone to join in on the refrains . . . they are very catchy.  I'm 
>looking forward to singing these melodies again and getting the whole 
>congregation involved.
>
>Judith Golden
>Congregation Solel
>Highland Park, IL
>jaugshir (at) aol(dot)com
>
>


***********************************************************************
Daniel A. Singer        H: (734) 397-1950  W: (810) 238-1350 ext. 4253
1713 Glenshire Dr.      Flint Institute of Music, Temple Beth El
Canton, MI 48188        Bass Voice, Guitar
***********************************************************************
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
         If I am for myself alone, who am I?
                           If not now, when?"
****************************************************************************
***

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+