[HANASHIR:15402] Dealing with Fools

[Edward Katz <eekatzmd...>]

Shalom and Shana tova! I am looking for some advice on
how to deal with an incompetent conductor. I was
recently hired by the Cantor of a local synagogue, who
wanted to revive their High Holiday Choir. He heard
through the grapevine that I had recently left another
synagogue choir, and was available to sing lead bass;
I am a semi-professional singer, with reasonably
extensive musical training. During the opening minutes
of the first rehearsal, back in July, it became
obvious that the so-called conductor whom the Cantor
had hired was incompetent. He could not read a note of
music, and had no clue on how to conduct. This was
also apparent to  some of the other more experienced
choristers. Nevertheless, the "conductor" attempted to
teach us our parts by ear, since the mother of one of
the younger choristers was available to play the
keyboard. 

As the weeks went on, it became obvious that the
"conductor" also had personality difficulties. He
continually insulted the choristers, blaming us for
not  singing our parts correctly. He arrived late at
virtually every rehearsal, after urging us to be sure
to arrive on time. His temper tantrums at almost every
session resulted in several choristers yelling back at
him; I myself could easily have been tempted to punch
him in the face.  Nevertheless, I felt that I was
obliged to honor my commitment to the Cantor, who is
an excellent and very competent Chazzan. My basic
option is to resign after the High Holidays and not to
sing there again, unless the "conductor" is replaced.

My dilemma is that I am constantly tempted to tell the
"conductor" to his face that he is incompetent. In 
more than 30 years of choral singing, I have worked
with our city's finest conductors (including Charles
Dutoit, formerly of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra),
as well as several fairly competent amateurs. I am
unable to look the "conductor" in the eye, lest I
become tempted to call him a fool. I still have to
endure three more rehearsals this week, followed by
the Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur services, before I can
quit.

Has anybody out there ever been in a smilar situation?
How did you handle it?


Edward Katz, M.D.
Montreal, QC


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