[HANASHIR:11376] Re: Volunteer Choir question

[H & R Shubert <notfranz...>]

Hi Shawna,

3 years ago I was persuaded to recruit and direct a volunteer choir for our 
congregation and it has become such a joy for me.  At the beginning, I had an 
audition process for everyone which I said was for placement, but was also a 
protection against out-of-tune voices with a lot of volume.  I turned no one 
away on the basis of voice.  I only passed on the people who unavailable for 
regular rehearsals.  Some singers with small tuning problems have improved with 
practice.  
 
The group is still varied in ability, but since time and love have improved the 
group sound, stronger singers have become attracted to the ensemble.  Now, when 
people call saying they are interested I sound them out about their experience. 
If they tell me they have been with other choirs I have heard of, I welcome 
them in.  If not, I ask for a short audition.  I've still never turned a 
congregant away.  My feeling is that they are joining us to praise Gd, and not 
to do a star turn.  I think that's the nature of synagogue volunteer choirs.

All the best.  Hope you have as much fun as I am having.

Rachelle Shubert
Lay Cantor Rishon, Temple Israel, Ottawa
Choral Director, Kol Ha Neshama Choir, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, Montreal
Music Educator, Hebrew Foundation School, Dollard des Ormeaux

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Shawna1000 (at) aol(dot)com 
  To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  Sent: Friday, April 19, 2002 12:44 PM
  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