[HANASHIR:8870] Re: introducing new service music

[Marsha Fensin <mfsings...>]

Hello Rachelle,
    Reaction to hearing, learning, receiving new music varies from
congregation to congregation.  If you are willing to take the "flack"
from your congregation and it doesn't get you into too much trouble,
just do it, and eventually they will learn to love the new music.  You
might want to teach them that the "new" music isn't necessarily "new"
but only new to them.  If you introduce it as also traditional, which a
lot of new music actually is, they might be more receptive.  I have a
wonderful story I like to share when a congregant comes up to me to
complain about the "new" Adon Olam.  I was in a congregation that was
NOT receptive to new music and I introduced the French Sefardic Adon
Olam ( #122) in Gates of Song.  Oy, did people complain.  Then, one
Friday evening the editor of the local Jewish newspaper came up to me
after services and hugged me and thanked me for singing the
"traditional" Adon Olam he grew up with.  Many people overheard him, and
that stopped the complaining.  (At least about that one.)
    Ther are so many wonderful settings to many of the prayers, I feel
it's worth the flack to be able to educate the congregation.  But, if
it's going to get you fired, go R-E-A-L-L-Y slow.( Or, unfortunately,
sometimes, not at all)
Good Luck!!
Marsha

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