[HANASHIR:14647] Re: Starting a music program

[Marge Eiseman/Andy Muchin <amme...>]

Sherrye --

If making music fun is the main goal, I'd suggest putting some resources in
up front and bringing in one of the high energy singer/songwriters from our
list -- Rick Recht, Dan Nichols, Noah Budin -- or for less money, get the
head songleader from your area's most popular Jewish camp. Kids who have not
been singing Jewish music need to see that a) it's cool and b) some of them
already know this stuff. I think if you start with a concert/singalong
setting, they might be willing to learn more throughout the year.

Having said that, I've used a variety of music (from those songwriters named
and others) with this age group to good effect. It helps them to have a goal
-- a service they will help lead or a program to present. Otherwise, they
might think it's too juevenile, just being asked to sing as a group.

Some concrete suggestions:

Get the book NFTY in Harmony by Merri Arrian (I think Transcon has it) and
use some of the simple two-part settings.

Stock up on the current collection of Jewish music cd's and CD review class
assignment and then hold a listening party where each kid gets to present
their favorite song from a CD for the class to listen to. (Then you get to
teach the songs at a later date)

If you want specific song recommendations, I'm sure this list can provide
more than you could ever teach in a year! My newest favorites are "Ki
V'Simcha" by Neal Katz and Craig Taubman's "Hinei Mah Tov" (setting in NFTY
in Harmony) and (if I may be so bold) "Sing Praises" by me!

Good luck--

Marge Eiseman
"We Are All Connected: Songs to Lift the Spirit"
available at www.cdbaby.com/eiseman
Incoming co-chair of the CAJE Music Network
Music teacher at Hillel Academy
Co-director of the Milwaukee Jewish Day School choir 

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+