[HANASHIR:9782] Re: Jewish choirs

[Ilana and Mark Axel <axelsinchicago...>]

This is a very interesting discussion for me. This is
why the music program at Shir Hadah Reconstructionist
Synagogue in the Chicago burbs is so varied. I grew up
loving Temple choirs and the Rabbi grew up loving only
summer camp singalongs. We combine, hopefully, the
best of all worlds as much as possible. Our music fare
for High Holidays includes Janowski's Avinu Malkenu
and Sim Shalom, as well as a dozen pieces by Taubman,
Friedman, Nichols, Recht, Maseng, Cotler, Klepper,
Smilow - the only requirements being that the pieces
are appropriate and inspiring in their liturgical
placements, and that we have the (all volunteer
members except for myself a professional)musical
personnel to make the music reasonably well performed.
Having been inspired this summer at Hava Nashira and
at CAJE, I am training my singers to be
performer/presenters, as well as songleader helpers.
This helps the congregation learn new songs more
quickly - choir members are always familiar with the
songs beforehand, and are "planted" either sitting in
the congregation with their families, or up front with
the guitar playing leaders.
Most of our singers came for the "camp" music - but
having been presented with the additional opportunity
to sing good Jewish choral music, they won't give it
up! And the congregation seems to appreciate the
variety and the different flows of spiritual or
community musical moments.
And yes, it does take a ton of work!
I would like to note though: Organ accompaniments are
generally unappreciated by myself and our members. I
think there is a movement to create our own unique
Jewish synagogue music culture and organ music seems
to make people laugh, or make them uncomfortable, even
in our open and liberal musical environment. It falls
just too close to the feeling of being in church. This
may be a more difficult conflict in Reform synagogues
than in Reconstructionism. No member has ever asked me
to program music with organ in it.
Anyone interested more in the music activities at Shir
Hadash is invited to contact me privately - after the
holidays please! I appreciate all the help I get from
this list!
Shana Tova to you all,
Ilana Axel
Music Director/Singer/Songleader
Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue
Northbrook. Illinois

--- ItaSara (at) aol(dot)com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 9/10/01 2:59:22 AM,
> hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org writes:
> 
> << Since choirs (and organs) are few and far between
> in synagogues these days 
> >>
> 
> Yes, and my opinion is that this is very
> unfortunate. Maybe the trend is 
> getting away from the big sound professional choir,
> but eliminating 
> opporuntiies to sing and learn Jewish music on a
> regular basis is eliminating 
> the needs that some congregants have; I know because
> I am one of them. I grew 
> up in temple choirs and I feel  spiritually able to
> contribute in this 
> setting. Even though not everyone can be pleased all
> of the time, there is is 
> much beautiful liturgical music, old and new, that
> goes unnoticed and unsung 
> because of a desire that everything must be singable
> and familiar these days. 
> (and some of it is boring week after week!) Not all
> music is suited to just 
> to one soloist. Some variety is good, and choirs and
> talented members can 
> help provide that variety and congregational
> leadership. Jewish musicians 
> would like to have an outlet for their work in the
> jewish setting, but often 
> one finds them in churches instead because there is
> still a need for singers 
> and musicians there. There is no one easy answer,
> and I know that the whole 
> topic is controversial. but I look at the need for
> some choir activitiy in 
> the temple as a form of participation, enjoyment,
> and spirituality. Even paid 
> participation might have its place.   
> 
> ------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> -----------------------+
>