[HANASHIR:6433] Re: Certification of Synagogue Musicians

[Freedabet <Freedabet...>]

Having studied such issues while earning a degree in Economics at a 'laissez 
faire'-leaning institution, I will disagree that licensing and certification 
in general is a desirable thing.  It acts primarily as a barrier to entry to 
the occupation to those who aren't certified, and benefits those who can 
afford the time and/or money to become certified at the expense of those who 
aren't certified but perhaps more capable.  Historically, certification tests 
evolve to cover much more material than is necessary for competence in the 
occupation.  And, in the arts, the effects are magnified because artistic 
ability can't be 'tested.'  

Michael

-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------

> Date: Sunday, 02-Jul-00 05:42 PM
> 
> From: Adrian Durlester         \ Internet:    (durleste (at) home(dot)com)
> To:   Hanashir Mail Server     \ Internet:    (hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org)
> cc:   GTM List Server          \ Internet:    (gtm (at) shamash(dot)org)
> 
> Subject:  [HANASHIR:6430] Certification of Synagogue Musicians
> 
> Sender: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Reply-to:       hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> To:     hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> CC:     gtm (at) shamash(dot)org
> 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) 
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> 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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