[HANASHIR:8396] Re: torn about Hava Nashira this year

[Rick Calvert <calvert...>]

Hi all -

Having looked at this year's HN flyer, I have the same basic question as my
West Coast name-mate.  Ellen - I know you're out there - could you lend
some additional "between the lines" understanding as to what this year's
vision is so folks can make an informed choice?  Having missed last summer
following the now legendary, magical experience the year before, I'm
especially struggling with this decision, so more info would be greatly
appreciated.  

Rick


At 12:12 AM 03/02/2001 -0800, you wrote:
>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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