[HANASHIR:14688] secular music

[Joseph H. Firestone <jfire...>]

Dear Listmates:

I must say as I read the posts on secular music I am perplexed.  Perhaps it
is simply because I am a newbie to this list.

But as I recall, this thread began because someone inquired whether and how
listserv members use secular music.  Some members explained that they use
secular music in a variety of settings.  They even were so kind as to
indicate which pieces of music they use, and which recordings of those
pieces they like to listen to.  I read all of this with some interest and
appreciation for their sharing.  The next thing I read, however, is a
sarcastic, ad hominem attack on these kind people (e.g. ?Oh please. . . .?)
Then, instead of the attacker being called to task, he is supported by
others ? some gently, others not so gently.  To paraphrase Tom Paxton, I can
?t help but wonder where we?re bound.

I am also left wondering what is the definition of Jewish music.  After all
the Hava Nashirah song that we sing is based on a tune of Joseph Hayden?s.
Do we cast it aside as not Jewish enough?  In fact the foundation of most of
the choral music that we perform is western church music.  Do we scrap it
and begin again?  If Debbie Friedman, any other Jewish folk music composer,
composes a piece with an English text that is not a direct religious text
translation, is it Jewish music?  Isn?t our folk music tradition inspired by
the ?American? folk tradition?  Conversely, if Pete Seeger does a piece of
music inspired by biblical text, is it Jewish music?  And how about Israeli
popular music that is not ?prayerful,? is that Jewish music?  (e.g. BaShanah
HaBa-ah comes to mind).  How about using music because it is good and
conveys an important, significant and relevant message?

In closing, thank you to those who shared.  I plan on checking out the music
you presented to us.  To those who choose to attack, please use your delete
button instead.

Joe Firestone

Joseph H. Firestone
Amberg, Firestone and Lee, P.C.
24300 Southfield Road, Suite 101
Southfield, MI 48075
mailto: jfire (at) amflpc(dot)com <mailto:%20jfire (at) amflpc(dot)com>
248-559-8110
248-557-9522 (fax)