[HANASHIR:15407] RE: Dealing with Fools

[Adrian Durlester <adrian...>]

To tell the conductor to his face, or in front of others, that he is
incompetent, is probably not the best way of handling this. I must also
point out, with all due respect, that you never once in your comments used
the words "in my opinion." It is your "opinion" (and perhaps that of others
in the choir) that this person is incompetent. And, based on your
description, I'd likely concur with your opinion. That does not mean that
this person is truly incompetent. They may be completely unaware of their
inadequacies. Their limited skill set may have served them and other
organizations well in the past. Every person has their niche. It does them
no favor to allow them to be unaware of their shortcomings, still, it does
them no good for you to be openly demeaning. So be careful how you present
your case.

I might suggest a discreet conversation with the cantor that first seeks to
determine how and why the Cantor chose to hire this particular individual. I
am concluding from the term "hired" that this person was engaged for pay to
be the conductor. If the person is a volunteer, that adds a whole other
dimension to things.

In either case, I would then, in completely professional terms, explain the
inadequacies you have found with the skills of this individual. Do not
presume to speak for others, however.

There may be far more to this situation than you are aware of, so, for the
sake of shalom bayit, I would approach it in a non-threatening and
non-adversarial manner.

Adrian

Adrian A. Durlester, MTS
E-mail: adrian (at) durlester(dot)com  www.durlester.com
Director of Education & Congregational Life, Bethesda Jewish Congregation,
Bethesda, MD
www.bethesdajewish.com
Co-Director, Hazamir/JTAI Choir of Greater DC
Past Conf Chair, CAJE 27, August 4-8, 2002, Trinity University, San Antonio,
TX
List Owner, hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Jewish Songleaders/Performers List
www.ehavanashira.org
Co-Owner, l-torah (at) shamash(dot)org; Liberal Torah Discussion List


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of Edward Katz
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 5:34 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
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


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