[HANASHIR:8859] Re: introducing new service music

[Bat-Yam <bat-yam...>]

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.  

Yes, it does vary a lot, not only between communities, but also within a 
community. I used to go to the Reform Synagogue in Vienna, and we often 
introduced new melodies. Some were accepted, others weren't. I guess it depends 
on how complicated the melody is. Easy melodies are accepted much faster than 
difficult ones.