[HANASHIR:8725] Re: choir in the aisle

[Burton A. Zipser <zipmusic...>]

Rachelle: From my own experience, the only time a choir (Jewish or 
otherwise) should sing while processing is if the rabbi(s) and cantor 
(perhaps even congregational officers) are coming down the aisle to 
the bima, in which case the cantor would be leading the singing 
(which could be responsive in nature). The problem is compounded if 
an organ is used since it may not be played loudly enough to keep the 
choir in tune in a harmonized melody.  If the choir does it alone, 
there is often a tendency to move down the aisles faster. (Recall 
your high school graduation and the old "step, hold, step, hold" 
routine, which often disappeared by the tenth to fifteenth marcher 
who could not march or who had the musical equivalent of two left 
feet.)  By the way, if the Torah is carried around the sanctuary and 
the choir follows the cantor (and others who might be carrying the 
Torah), there should not be a problem if the choir also is involved. 
It really depends on how mony people will be processing.
        Good luck.   Burton



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