[HANASHIR:6035] Re: choir placement

[PENCAT <PENCAT...>]

Rachelle,
This year we decided to try something really different from what we'd done 
before-- and it has been wildly successful with both choir members and the 
rest of the congregation. Our forty choir members sit in the congregation-- 
but not together-- interspersed with everyone else! They usually end up 
sitting in quartets, but with family members with them. They sing all the 
service music (yes, in harmony!) from all over the sanctuary, and WOW! What a 
sound. All the congregants sings so much more fully than they ever did 
before. After our rabbi's d'var Torah I bring the choir forward and we 
perform a piece that we've prepared-- *not* a sing-along, but specifically a 
performance piece. That way they have a chance to sing a real "choir piece" 
and everyone loves to hear them. 

One delightful thing is when they sing solo verses, such as in v'sham'ru-- 
they pop up in their places in the congregation, turn and face as much of the 
congregation as possible, sing their solos, and sit back down. People who 
have never been to our services before seem either surprised or amazed when 
people sitting right next to them rise and sing, as if through sudden 
inspiration. One Shabbat we happened to have two soloists in a single row, 
and the poor guy next to them clearly thought it was his turn next-- till a 
soprano across the room popped up for verse #3. That was one relieved guy.

Anyway, it works for us, and the choir members really appreciate the chance 
to sit with their families in services. And all of us-- especially those of 
us on the bima!--  absolutely love the sound of the full, beautiful singing 
from all over the room. 
Annie Rose
Chazan, Temple Beth Emeth
Ann Arbor, MI

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