[HANASHIR:12601] Re: Adding Pro Singers To Choir

[Rob Menes <rmenes...>]

The choir I led in Victoria, British Columbia, was a
Jewish Community Choir - not a synagogue choir. This
is an important distinction, since it enabled us to
have Jewish and non-Jewish members without issue.
However, we also did not participate in services. I
feel strongly that the leaders of prayer in a
synagogue must be Jewish. (Halachically, this is of
course, necessary but not sufficient). The choir, when
participating in a service, is leading prayer. The
very fact that a person declares themself to be Jewish
or not enables me to trust their integrity in prayer
(a very restrictive context, but the one which we're
addressing). This issue did come up and the
congregation (Conservative) was canvassed regarding
their feelings, which were generally, but not
completely, in line with my thoughts.

Starting from virtually nothing, we had a choir of 20
voices. There were no auditions, and no requirements
for musical ability. However, rehearsels were intense
and only committed members stayed. I would never hire
anyone to beef up the choir; in fact I wouldn't even
let someone sing if they hadn't been a committed
member. The reason is that the choir was as much about
spiritual connection, creation of a group, and sharing
in a musical experience as it was about performing. We
rarely worked towards a concert, although some years
we had many. The rehearsels were the ends in
themselves. And, yes, last year we had no tenors (I
had to sing any tenor parts myself, a baritone). I had
to write numerous new arrangements and make
significant musical compromises, but we were who we
were. There isn't anyone in the choir who would have
changed that.

The key message I want to convey is that the
objectives of the choir should be clear: is it a
religious group or a community group? Is it primarily
to perform high quality music or is it primarily to
provide a musical and spiritual experience (yes, I
know it could do both)?

Rob Menes


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