[HANASHIR:12579] Re: Adding Pro Singers To Choir

[ilana axel <iaxel...>]

I am enjoying this thread very much, thank you all.
My synagogue actually has a policy that only members
perform regularly at our services and programs. There
have been exceptions for special concerts, Kathy Gore
for example comes to play with us sometimes (thanks
Kathy!), and my colleagues are always welcome to drop
in and join me in a service. But basically all of our
music is presented by volunteer amateurs and
semi-professionals, except for me. I am paid to
organize all of them in every possible way.
As a professional, classically trained musician, this
approach certainly has its personal drawbacks as you
can well imagine. But for the synagogue it is
extremely rewarding. Whenever my volunteers rise up
and meet my expectations (always after very hard
work)the rewards for all are tremendous, and we are
all drawn more tightly together in our communal Jewish
experience.
It seems to me that the difficult part would be to
persuade the congregation of this approach, but this
is probably inappropriate for many shuls. We are lucky
in that this is the policy of our own membership and
that we have a good number of talented members, and I
enjoy a good deal of support from all.
I also liked the idea posited here of recruiting
college students as an addition to weaker vocal
sections and will keep the idea in the back of my
mind!
Anyway, this is just another view from another place
for anyone interested.
Thanks, Ilana
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