[HANASHIR:8394] torn about Hava Nashira this year

[Rick Lupert <Rick...>]

Hi friends, colleagues, and fellow Hava Nashirites,

I'm torn about whether or not to attend Hava Nashira this year for a 
couple of reasons and I thought I would share them with the community 
to see if I could get any thoughts from you.

First and foremost, I'm disappointed at the absence of Danny Maseng 
on staff who has offered a wonderful vision, and soul to the program 
as director for the last 5 years that I've attended.

Second, I'm troubled by some of the language on the Hava Nashira 
flyer and perhaps a little unclear as to who the program is for.  It 
says on the flyer that the focus will be on 'Camp Songleading.'  So, 
I've been a songleader at camp for 10 years or so and I'm not sure 
how much more I need to learn about that...also it states that the 
program is designed for hose with instrumental proficiency.  Fine.  I 
play guitar.  Woo.  My concern with these two things is that part of 
the experience of Hava Nashira has always been the existence of a 
diverse community of Jewish Music professionals...from camp song 
leaders, to synagogue music teachers, to cantors.  There has always 
been something for everyone there.  Is this focus on camp songleading 
and folks with instrumental proficiency meant to exclude some of the 
community who might not play instruments, or not work in a camp 
setting?  Perhaps 'meant to exclude' isn't the case, but certainly it 
could very well have that effect.

Certainly for me, and I'm sure others on this list, the experience of 
Hava Nashira has little to do with what's taught, and a lot to do 
with singing beautiful music with beautiful people.  But I'm having a 
hard time warranting paying the once again increased Hava Nashira fee 
just to hang out with friends and sing...especially in light of what 
seems to be a narrowing in the program's offering.

So...is anyone else out there having trouble deciding whether to go? 
I'd love some thoughts and discussion on what Hava Nashira has meant 
to people, why you keep going back, and any perspectives on the stuff 
I mentioned earlier.

(It's either that or I'll send 10,000 messages about van reservations 
out...I swear, I'll do it.)

Yours, with love and shirah,

Rick
-- 

Lupert: It's The Website - & - Poetry Super Highway
           http://PoetrySuperHighway.com/

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