[HANASHIR:15405] Re: Dealing with Fools

[Rabbi Richard Schachet <LVRabbi...>]

I would have a meeting with some of the members of the choir and the Chazzan
and let him know.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Edward Katz" <eekatzmd (at) yahoo(dot)ca>
To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 2:33 PM
Subject: [HANASHIR:15402] Dealing with Fools


> 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
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
>
>


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