[HANASHIR:14517] Request

[Marsha Fensin <mfsings...>]

Hello all,
    Whoever sent the list of holiday music appropriate for public 
schools--thank you very much for assembling the list.  I was inspired to 
want to share it with the choral directors of our local high schools and 
several middle schools with excellent choral programs.  I tried one of 
the directors whom I know and sent him the list with a plea for 
diversity, etc. in music programming, and he wrote back that they get so 
inundated with catalogues, etc. that they couldn't possibly look at them 
all much less order something from a list.  The music itself would be 
much more helpful.  Well, there were 38 pieces times 7 directors, 
etc.which is 266 pieces of music @ however much each piece would 
cost--pretty much a prohibitive sum for me, even with a cantorial 
discretionary fund.  What might any of you suggest  I do next?  I have 
written to Joel Eglash and asked him if Trans. could send some of their 
things gratis, but I haven't heard back yet. I know that some music 
publishers do send samples of pieces to schools, etc.  Perhaps some of 
you might suggest a shorter list of the "best of the best" so to speak 
that would whittle down the list to something a bit more affordable for 
me.  I feel it is so important for public school music programs to 
practice the "diversity" they preach all the time.  I feel it is up to 
us to help them along and to pass on and make accessible the beautiful 
Jewish choral music that we know exists. We need to educate these public 
school music educators as to what is available.  I am so frustrated when 
I hear fromhigh schoolers at my shul who are so involved in their show 
choirs and choruses etc. that their directors tell them there isn't any 
Jewish music that meets their high standards.  That is just ignorance 
and laziness.  Anyway, your suggestions as to how to proceed would be 
much appreciated.
Marsha

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