[HANASHIR:6430] Certification of Synagogue Musicians

[Adrian Durlester <durleste...>]

This is a response to a posting on the Hanashir Jewish
Songleaders/Performers/Music Educators list, that is also being posted to
the GTM list. My response follows a citation from the original post I am
responding too.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ItaSara (at) aol(dot)com
> To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Subject: [HANASHIR:6428] Re: HN 2000 songs
>
> In a message dated 7/2/00 12:14:57 PM, durleste (at) home(dot)com writes:
>
> << Which leads me to another rant I'll get to someday: the lack
> of any formal certification for synagogue musicians. >>
>
> Now I'm curious. What kind of training do you think synagogue musicians
> should have?
---------------end of original message----------------------------

ItaSara:

There really isn't time and this isn't necessarily the appropriate forum for
this discussion. It's probably more germane to the GTM list (to which I am
cross-posting this email.) I'll make a short comment to the whole list here
and now, and then continue the dialog privately with those who care to.

As for certification of synagogue musicians, I strongly believe it is
something that should be done. However, I don't think "training" is the
issue. By whatever means they learn, if they can demonstrate sufficient
familiarity with the subject material, based on some adopted criteria, they
should be given the certification. Knowledge of repertoire-contemporary,
"classical" and "mi-Sinai;" the basic structure of the Jewish worship
service; familiarity with the various publishing organizations, the various
professional organizations, libraries, anthologies, and resources and
resource centers; a basic understanding of modalities/nusach; a basic
understanding of the history of Jewish synagogue music and the cantorial
arts; plus the requisite musical skills of competent playing, sight-reading,
and appropriate accompanying (conducting skills could be an additional skill
for a specialized certification for Choir Directors.)

I would strongly argue against requiring formal training at or through a
particular institute like HUC (such as is required for cantors,) but there
could be courses offered (perhaps by more than one institution of higher
learning, in fact, not perhaps, but most definitely so) which could be
certified to be the equivalent of a particular criteria for certification,
perhaps even an entire program (offered, perhaps, through distance learning
on the web.) Perhaps even the GTM itself could offer the courses through
distance education.

Perhaps an apprentice level certification could be offered as well, for one
engaged in the process of studying to obtain certification (which, like
doing the same for the cantorate, could take some time.)

Now, I don't necessarily think the equivalent of a one semester 1,2 or 3
hour course is the level of knowledge that should be required to be
certified as a synagogue musician. The required knowledge level needs to be
determined by a careful study, and could certainly be less than that
required for such courses. But surely there is an agreed upon body of
knowledge that a competent synagogue musician should have, and synagogues
should be encouraged to engage people with this knowledge in positions as
organists, pianists, music directors, choir directors, etc. I'm not
advocating that these people compete with, or have the same high level of
training as required for the cantorate, but why would an ordained cantor
want to work with an organist or choir director without such knowledge?
Surely that would be a great help?

I'm not suggesting this standard be applied to someone who songleads, or
does music for a once a week religious school program (although standards
for such positions isn't a bad idea, either.)

Many Reform synagogues will only employ educators who belong to NATE. Why,
then, might they employ music directors or organists who carry no
certification?

BTW, as it seems that many (if not most?) current synagogue
organists/pianists/music directors might be non-Jews. This certification
should certainly be open to all, and that is another reason it should be
offered through distance learning and perhaps through several institutions
around the country. My interaction with my many Christian colleagues working
in a similar capacity as a synagogue musician as I do has told me that many
would welcome this chance to expand their knowledge, and help them do a
better job for the congregations that employ them. I don't want this seen as
exclusionary, although, as a Jewish synagogue musician, I do bemoan the fact
that there aren't enough of us.

I would think that Day Schools and camps, too, might benefit from
certification of Jewish music professionals/educators.

Well, enough of this rant. If you'd care to continue the discussion, please
email me privately at durleste (at) home(dot)com(dot) That goes for anyone 
reading this!

Adrian

------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Atheism is a non-prophet organization."
                          -George Carlin
Adrian A. Durlester. M.T.S.  -  durleste (at) home(dot)com
http://members.home.net/durleste/
Music Director, Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN http://www.micahnash.org/
Home phone (615) 646-9788 Nextel cel-phone (615) 207-2661
You can page me from http://www.nextel.com
List-Owner for hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Co-Owner for L-Torah (at) 
shamash(dot)org
http://uahc.org/hanashir
Editor, Bim Bam (for Torah Aura Productions) http://www.torahaura.com/
Alternate Email: aad (at) iname(dot)com  adriand (at) aol(dot)com


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