[HANASHIR:7332] Certification

[Adrian Durlester <durleste...>]

I have to respond with slight bemusement at the turn of events here on the
list. A few months back, and also a year or so before that, I suggested on
this list and also on the ACC-GTM list, that some forms of certifications
for Jewish synagogue musicians, songleaders and music educators be
instituted.

At the time, the hew and clamor at the thought of creating such distinctions
caused me to back off and not pursue the matter publicly (though I have
continued private discussions.)

Once a persons hot button is pushed, they rarely seem to hear what the other
part is saying, and only respond to the part that they heard that they
vehemently disagree with.

The fact of the matter is that it would be worthwhile to have some form of
certification process. But it does not need to be a rigid system, and it is
NOT a guarantee of quality or that a person is well-suited for the work.
Yes, there are many, without formal training or certification, who can often
do better work than some of the best trained and certified out there. And
many certified personnel who don't really have the "magic" required to do
what they are trained for. And sometimes the "book learning" winds up being
more of a handicap in actual practice.

But knowledge of good pedagogy, and study of techniques of teaching, and of
teaching music to particular age groups, and in particular settings, can and
usually does improve the ability of the teacher and the availability of
learning of the students (it can't improve the learning itself-that is up to
the student.)

So listen again to my view on certification-the purpose is to benefit the
entire community-to raise the standards of knowledge. It's not about
protectionism, insuring jobs, "keeping the riff-raff" out, etc.

I plan to continue pursuing working with the various Jewish organizations to
begin a process toward certification for synagogue musicians, music
educators and songleaders. I applaud the work being done in DC and hope to
be able to use that process as a model.

Adrian A. Durlester
List Owner, Hanashir

Adrian A. Durlester. M.T.S.
http://members.home.net/durleste/
Judaic/Ivrit and Music Teacher-Akiva School, Nashville, TN
Music & Choir Director, Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN
Editor, Bim Bam, Torah Aura Productions, Los Angeles, CA
Evening Program Chair, CAJE 26, Aug 5-9, 2001, Colorado state University.


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