[HANASHIR:6193] Blessings

[Laura Ferguson <allenderl...>]

As a Hava Nashira first timer, I too thought it was a truly amazing 
experience.  Although some of the songs were new, they grew on me 
quickly.  Sitting up front in the dining hall (at the first table in front 
of the music leaders) helped me be involved in the post meal 
enthusiasm.  The music and enthusiasm were infectious throughout, and I 
can't wait to improve my skills and come back next year.

There were a couple of things I could see adding to Hava Nashira:

1) A track for non-guitar leadership (eg. workshops in hand motions, 
signing and percussion)

2) It would be nice to have a couple of guitar tracks aimed at different 
levels.  The Old Town School in Chicago has one model which might be 
useful.  All of the different guitar classes meet in small groups for 1/2 
an hour learning the same songs (each group at its own level), and then all 
the groups gather and play through the songs as one big group.  Hava 
Nashira could have an impromptu or an organized approach to this, but the 
learning experience would be beneficial to almost everyone.

3) It would have been nice to have a few more opportunities to lead 
songs.  The initial evaluation session was useful, but since I'm really a 
novice at this kind of song leading, I would have liked to prepare 
something for a second evaluation on Sunday or Friday, utilizing the skills 
and tips I picked up over the weekend.

I do a lot of chorus work during the year, but I'm not sure how to fit this 
in, or if it would be  relevant to enough people.  (If you want a great 
choral experience, go to the North American Jewish Choral Festival at the 
end of July.  email me for more info... it's a lot of fun.)

Anyway, I'm still glowing from the weekend. I feel blessed that I could 
participate and that I had the opportunity to meet all the people who were 
there.

B'Shalom,
Laura Ferguson
allenderL (at) acm(dot)org


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