[HANASHIR:9791] Re: Jewish choirs

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

Of course! I grew up with organ in my Reform
synagogue. Our synagogue does not, nor will not, have
an organ, but I play with the settings on the
synthesizer so the accompaniment has a fuller sound
than the piano alone does. By the way, there is a
"home" recording here in Chicago (Janowski's home
turf)that I heard of Max Janowski accompanying Corey
Winter on piano in a recital of Janowski's cantorial
music - I believe that Avinu Malkenu appears there and
is also very beautiful on piano.
I agree that Janowski doesn't sound churchy, his
musical language is much too associated with Ashkenazi
Jewry. But for some it is associated very strongly
with an historical era of Reform Jewish worship in
America and not all want to hear it. I believe my job,
as a music director, is to help people keep open to
all inspiring musical creations from the entire Jewish
world and cultural spectrum. These creations belong to
all of us as a people. I can assure you - Avinu
Malkenu and Sim Shalom will be presented at Shir
Hadash for years to come! And also D'ror Yikra with
full drumming accompaniments!
Shana Tova!
Ilana Axel
--- Freedabet (at) aol(dot)com wrote:
> You mentioned Avinu Malkeinu and Sim Shalom.  I
> assume you use piano 
> accompanyment with them, but have you ever heard or
> sung them with a great 
> synagogue organist?  I have, and it is a spiritual
> experience which no one 
> would ever intrepret as 'churchy.'
> 
> Michael
> 
> -------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
> 
> > Date: Monday, 10-Sep-01 02:36 PM
> > 
> > From: Ilana and Mark Axel      \ Internet:   
> (axelsinchicago (at) yahoo(dot)com)
> > To:   Hanashir Mail Server     \ Internet:   
> (hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org)
> > 
> > Subject:  [HANASHIR:9782] Re: Jewish choirs
> > 
> > Sender: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> > Reply-to:       hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> > To:     hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> > 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
> > > -----------------------+
> > >