[HANASHIR:12589] Re: A Plan for Shabbat Music?

[Lorshap <Lorshap...>]

Chuck-
I would choose specific Barechu, Shema, V'Ahavta, Michamocha, V'Shamru, Avot 
V'Imahot, Gevurot,  etc., and do those every week for several months. You can 
do interesting, different versions of Hashkivenu, Silent Prayer, etc., 
because they don't have to sing along with those. 

Once the congregation is comfortable then you can change one version of a 
prayer - say the Michamocha -and do that for a month. I would teach it before 
the service begins so that when you get to that part of the service it's not 
a "shocker." Then you can repeat the process with another prayer. 

I think we've all learned this lesson the hard way. I don't think it's 
appropriate for a committee to choose the music. At certain times of the 
year, we do change some of the tunes. I don't think you want to have to get 
permission to do the appropriate nusach. But before you chant this different 
tune, you might want to explain to your congregation the reason for the 
different tune.

Good Luck-
Lori Shapiro