[HANASHIR:15270] Re: Opening Songs

[rahel <rahel...>]

At 07:52 PM 9/5/2003 +0000, you wrote:
>In our congregation, the tradition is open and close with a different song 
>every Friday night, drawing from about a dozen melodies.  However, I 
>recently decided to institute a minimum of two opening songs each Friday, 
>but always starting with Shalom Aleichem.  It is easy to sing, has a long 
>history for many people and, for me at least, it provides something I 
>would describe as "comfort food for the soul".    As a musician, I love 
>singing new melodies, but wonder if the repetition will ultimately lead to 
>more congregational participation.   In addition, there are often other 
>changes in the service music such as a different Mi Chamocha, Yih-yu 
>L'Ratzon and V'sham'ru.   I'm curious as to others' experiences with 
>varying or repeating opening songs week to week.


Hi - In our shul we have included in our siddur about 18 opening songs. 
Each week we choose three as opening songs. The choice is up to either the 
prayer leader (lay. rabbi or bar mitzvah child) or the songleader. It's 
been about a year that we have chosen from this particular list. The 
congregants are quite familiar with them by now. So we are beginning to 
introduce either new versions of the same songs, or new songs. Within the 
worship service we have been fairly consistent as to the repertoire and 
version of song. Again, this year, we will begin to introduce new versions.

I believe it does take over the course of the year for a congregation to 
become familiar, and settled with the songs used as introductory and for 
worship. It's nice to allow the time for songs to settle in. I believe it 
promotes a certain level of comfort for everyone. But I also believe in 
variety. It is nice also to introduce new songs/versions. The question is 
how - at what pace etc? We are still working with this issue whereas the 
songleaders and "choir" is antsy and ready to move on - but the congregants 
are still learning and comfortable with the old.

In what ways have people introduced new songs/versions in their shul's?

I received a suggestion from a visitor, who was also the music director in 
her shul. She introduces new songs each week. She teaches the song to the 
congregants prior to the start of the service - then sings it when it comes 
around.

Holiday repertoire is a lot of fun - but allow only enough time for the 
"choir" to learn.

Rahel



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