[HANASHIR:6442] Re: Certification of Synagogue Musicians

[Meris Ruzow <meris...>]

I am currently a member of the GTM.  does anyone have their listserve
address?   Thanks,
meris ruzow
-----Original Message-----
From: Adrian Durlester <durleste (at) home(dot)com>
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Cc: gtm (at) shamash(dot)org <gtm (at) shamash(dot)org>
Date: Sunday, July 02, 2000 5:45 PM
Subject: [HANASHIR:6430] Certification of Synagogue Musicians


>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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