[HANASHIR:12584] Re: A Plan for Shabbat Music?

[Chuckm1961 <Chuckm1961...>]

Our Religious Services Committee is in the process of re-evaluating music for 
the Shabbat evening services.  The congregation responded to a survey, and 
confirmed what was clear -- there are a multitude of views on this issues.  
As the only game in town (the only Reform temple in Peoria, Illinois), we end 
up trying to satisfy a lot of different tastes in one service (We also do a 
monthly children's service and a monthly tot shabbat.).

I'm wondering what has worked for different congregations in terms of an 
overall plan for Shabbat music.  For example, there is a proposal in our 
congregation to select three melodies for each prayer, and then have the 
musicians choose only from those three melodies for a specific period of 
time.  The idea is that this will allow the congregation time to get familiar 
with new melodies.  Has anyone tried this, or something like it?  Also, we 
have designated "Shabbat Shira's" three times per year, and the musicians are 
given free rein for those services.  

Does anyone have designated services each month which are more traditional in 
nature, and others which are more "modern"?  Any other approaches out there?

Chuck Mitchell
Songleader, Composer
Congregation Anshai Emeth
Peoria, Illinois