[HANASHIR:5662] Re: Shabbat service songs

[Andy Curry <acurry...>]

Emily,

At the risk of being "too easily baited" (thanks, Adrian), I can relate to
your experience and feelings.

A good performer has a sense about energy - its ebb and flow, pacing,
dynamics.  I've been in situations where those "in charge" (yes, sometimes
these people are rabbis) only see the "loud and fast" energies and are
concerned that people may be bored when they are really turning inward and
listening with - and for -their neshamot.  We know that this may be, for
many, the critical worship moment.

I've found it useful to talk with the rabbis or whoever is "in charge"
beforehand and express this notion.  Sometimes one needs to be assertive.
Sometimes it's a matter, when I sense a disconnection of understanding, of
saying "trust me, I know what I'm doing."  Sometimes - the
passive/aggressive approach - is to sneak a "calm space" in; it can be, for
example, doing a song people are used to hearing loud and fast in a soft,
meditative way - jazz davening!

Kol tuv,
Andy

At 06:09 PM 3/31/00 EST, you wrote:
>I agree with Janeen.  In my last posting I described an experience I had
subbing at a large congregation.  What I neglected to say is that although
it was an interesting experience and the congregation was totally into it,
for me, personally, I thought it went overboard.  I would have preferred to
have saved some of the energy for the concluding song which was a little
bit lacking in spirit, I thought.  We did the French Sephardic Adon Olam,
which I really like but I think by then the congregation was worn out.
During the pre-service "song session" I attempted to create a calm space
but everytime I tried, the Rabbis would give me hand signals to keep up the
energy or one would come over to me and whisper in my ear ("Do another fast
one" or "something more upbeat!")
>  The Mi Chamocha was the same way.  Before the Mi Chamocha we did
Debbie's Miriam's Song and the Rabbis pulled out tambourines and again went
out into the congregation.  Everyone sang and clapped along.  It kind of
blew me away because at my regular congregation we do a kind of low-key Mi
Chamocha that could almost put you to sleep, although it's very pretty.  It
really blew me away.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this?
>
>Emily Worobey
>
>
>
>
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Andy Curry
CellNet Data Systems
11146 Thompson Ave
Lenexa KS 66219
Office: 913-312-4739
Facsimile: 913-312-4701
Home : 816-363-8381
E-Mail: acurry (at) cellnet(dot)com
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