[HANASHIR:8855] RE: introducing new service music

[David & Susan Esterman <estermans...>]

Hi Rachelle
This really struck a chord, no pun intended.
We have a real mish-mash of melodies which have developed over 40 years. It
seems that every passing rabbi or cantor has left us a melody which we like.
However even then, some of us like a change.
We have learned from experience that to try to introduce more than one new
melody at a time is ENORMOUSLY counter-productive.
But having said that, we have to keep the song-leaders happy, so these are
some of our ways to introduce new music.
1.      At the beginning of a service, use a new melody as a nigun, or even 
teach
it, but before we get right into the service.
2.      Alert people to the fact that there is going to be a new tune for Oseh
Shalom, or whatever it is, and at least they may not sing the wrong one!
3.      Use a new tune (if the words are appropriate) after the drash ? this is
a local custom, specific to our shul at least in NZ, but it does provide a
vehicle for new melodies which often get a great response and then can be
incorporated into the services.
4.      Do a special service using all new tunes ? we did a Friday night service
using only Katchko, I think it was. It has a down side, in that it becomes
not inclusive, and that?s a problem, so we didn?t repeat that experiment.
Instead
5.      we did a presentation of new melodies for Erev Shabbat following a
Shabbat service and meal, so everyone was relaxed and tried to join in1
6.      Run congregational workshops and teach those (few) who attend the new
tunes so that you have support from the benches!

We ? as everywhere else ? get flak from at least one person every time a new
tune is introduced. I read a fascinating article recently on the importance
of keeping tunes the same so that the ?old familiar? is there for people who
attend rarely. While I am sympathetic to this, I also feel that it wouldn?t
hurt some of my congregants to attend more often, and therefore find more
tunes familiar!!

Hope some of this is useful ? good luck and keep with it. There is so much
good music out there it?s a pity to limit one?s congregation to the tried
and true.

Last thought ? do a sermon about the use of music in the synagogue and
illustrate it with examples a d then you can learn and sing as much new
stuff as you like!!
Sue

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of H & R Shubert
Sent: Monday, 23 April 2001 05:24
To: Hanashir
Subject: [HANASHIR:8852] introducing new service music

I would like to hear from others on the subject of introducing new service
music.  How are musical changes greeted in your congregation?  Have you
found a successful way to get people on board?  I am learning that
congregational receptivity to new melodies varies hugely from one community
to the next, even when changes are introduced s-l-o-w-l-y.

Rachelle
notfranz (at) total(dot)net <mailto:notfranz (at) total(dot)net>