[HANASHIR:11373] Re: Volunteer Choir question

[Sharon Steinberg <cantorshar...>]

Dear Shawna,

This one is difficult, but my vote is to say adios to the snobs.  A volunteer 
synagogue is not necessarily about making great choral music...it's about 
sharing the gift of singing together and with the congregation.  I'm sure there 
are many other opinions on the topic and I look forward to hearing them...but 
for me, a synagogue choir is about creating healthy and supportive community.

Shabbat Shalom,
Sharon Steinberg  
  
----- Original Message -----
From: Shawna1000 (at) aol(dot)com
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2002 12:58 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:11370] Volunteer Choir question
  
Hello-   I have recently taken on a new volunteer choir job at a local 
synagogue.  This choir has been in existence for years, and they are typical of 
most volunteer choirs in terms of their varying ability and commitment.  For 
the past few years, there has also been a chamber choir out of this group, that 
has sung more difficult and challenging music.  Many of the members of the 
chamber group also sing in a high level and demanding Jewish community choir.  
Last year, the full choir sang for Erev Rosh Hashana and Kol Nidre, while the 
chamber group sang the morning services alone.  We have a cantor that has been 
here for one year, and he is now leaving.  When the cantor hired me, he was 
adamantly against the chamber group, and ended it, saying it had set up an 
unpleasant little dynamic of "them and us".  After talking to various people, I 
agree.  Now that door is open again, and I'm not sure what's best to do.  I 
have a gut feeling about wanting a synagogue choir to be open to anyone who 
wants to sing and comes to rehearsals, regardless of talent.  My goal is to 
create an experience where singers's needs will be met, regardless of their 
level.  The (former) chamber group, however is, is getting restless, saying 
that the more difficult music and level of challenge is what will keep them in 
the full choir.  I don't want to lose them, but I also don't want to set up an 
"elitist" situation.  Has anyone out there had any similar experiences?  Any 
advice?  Suggestions?
Thanks, and Shabbat Shalom-
Shawna Sabransky