[HANASHIR:10911] Re: Adon Olam to Rock Around the Clock

[Jennifer Stevens <srtalina...>]

Re: how much control the bar/bat mitzvah has over the service.

My experience (although limited) has been that the bar/bat mitzvah does have 
a substantial vote in the melodies and content of the service, at least in a 
Reform setting.  I would suppose the reason behind this is that the bar/bat 
mitzvah is leading a large portion (if not all) of the service and that it 
is that person's special day.

In my opinion when a family hires someone to sing for a bar/bat mitzvah 
service, the hired person should be able to share some information with them 
re: liturgy or musical settings.  I have been hired to sing for b'nei 
mitzvah services and asked to sing songs that I would rather not sing out of 
personal preference.  I generally accommodate the family's wishes since they 
have hired me UNLESS I have a *very* strong liturgical reason to back me up. 
  For example, if a family wants to skip an essential prayer in order to 
keep the service short, I would probably explain the prayer and its 
significance to the service.  If after my explanation, the family still 
wants to skip the prayer, I would go along with it.  After all, it is the 
family's day and I am there to help them make their day special.

Again, my opinion is based on limited experience as a hired soloist.  I'm 
sure the experiences differ across the board.

-Jennifer



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>My view about using pop tunes for adon olam aside, as I don't even have the
>energy now to get into the discussion, something struck me about Beau
>Shapiro's post.  In every congregation I've ever been affliliated with, 
>(all
>Conservative) the cantor was/is the one who makes all decisions about what
>melodies to use in the synagogue service, often with some input, or at 
>least
>approval from the rabbi.  Since when does a bar mitzvah kid dictate what
>melodies a congregation uses?  Is this a standard practice in Reform 
>temples?
>  Are B'nai mitzvah ceremonies separate from the service where the 
>"regulars"
>attend?  Beau, you say you don't really like it, but the kid requested it 
>so
>you have to do it?  I don't know  you, and don't know whether you're a
>cantor, service leader/shaliach tzibur or just a guy they hire to play a
>instrument.  I don't mean this as a personal attack - I'm just amazed that 
>a
>13 year old would have that much control over what takes place at a 
>service!
>
>baffled in Dallas
>(aka Raquel Gershon)
>
>






"Change is inevitable; Growth is optional"
-Gary S. Insch


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