[HANASHIR:8871] Re: introducing new service music

[Meris Ruzow <meris...>]

I honestly don't see how a congregant that is intelligent and looking for
spiritual growth can say they don't want 'new music.'  Now I know, hearing
this often at my shul too, that there is much friction when something new is
introduced.  The main thing is to really try to include the congregants.
They like to feel 'ownership' of 'their' songs.  So teach them the chorus
first if appropriate...... give them words...... give them meaning- before
the service....... then when you do it during the service it isn't quite so
awkward.  I also ask congregants to give something at least 3 weeks before
they comment on a piece.  It's just not fair.   So if it's negative......
hold off on the comments!    I also tell people that 'new songs' aren't
'new' for long!    After all, would you go to a dr. who didn't keep up on
the 'latest' technology or philosophy?   I should hope not.   Sometimes that
argument works too.   People really are receptive after a while.  Keep
pushing (nicely!)
Meris Ruzow
meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

-----Original Message-----
From: Marsha Fensin <mfsings (at) ccr(dot)net>
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 6:05 PM
Subject: [HANASHIR:8870] Re: introducing new service music


>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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