[HANASHIR:15411] choir members miss rehearsals. What to do

[Rabbi Richard Schachet <LVRabbi...>]

Have a question that perhaps you can help us with--

We have a 12 voice all volunteer choir with a professional outstanding music 
director and Cantor.

On more than one occasion, some of our choir members have missed practice.  
Why--
"I had to help my married daughter pack for her trip back home"--"We have 
family in town"-- "I have to work late" 

Also we have a 16 year old in the choir-- Outside of her menopausal actions 
sometimes that go along with being a teen ager, she can never stay for the 
entire rehearsal..  She has school early in the morning and must leave 
rehearsal at 8:00 PM-  It usually lasts until 9:30.. so she does not get the 
full rehearsal in.  She is also one who misses some rehearsals completely.  I 
am thinking of requesting no teen agers for next year for the adult choir.  
Also requesting that the choir member make a commitment to all of us.  If they 
miss even one rehearsal they can miss 3 or 4 numbers.  

Also next year we are starting rehearsal for High Holidays in June-- This year 
we started in August.  Much to late and I feel the pressure--

I am actively involved in going over the music with my music staff-- since I 
like to choreograph the service in my mind before  we even walk out on the bima.

This is one of the reasons, with all my faults, my pulpit is different and good.


Rabbi Richard I Schachet
Valley Outreach Synagogue

The past has a vote, not a veto.  M. M.Kaplan z'l