[HANASHIR:15415] Re: [HANASHIR:15411] choir members miss rehearsals. What to do

[elerner1 <elerner1...>]

On 9/28/03, Rabbi Richard Schachet <LVRabbi (at) cox(dot)net> wrote: 


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

FIRST OF ALL, I think you are very fortunate to have a 12 member choir made up 
of all volunteers who hopefully feel along with the congregation and clergy 
that their participation ia a valuable part of synagogue life.
 
 <<I am thinking of requesting no teen agers 
>for =
>next year for the adult choir>>

THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION ON THE TEENAGE SITUATION: If a teenager wants to be 
part of the choir, it is a blessing and could make a difference in that teen's 
life. However, as with all "jobs" in this life, a committment is necessary. I 
sing in a (non Jewish) choir with professionals and volunteers that rehearses 
every Weds. night. The choir has at the moment five teenage members. Rehearsals 
last from 7:30 to 9pm and these teenagers rarely miss a rehearsal. These 
teenages are talented and they are given individual opportunites to sing as 
well as the professionals. Some of the teens are quite proficient in musical 
instruments as well and are often asked to accompany the choir or soloists. The 
bottom line is they would not be allowed to participate if  they did not come 
to the rehearsals and put their best foot forward. Sure there are occasions 
when any one of us cannot make it, or when the teens have special committments, 
but we certainly let the conductor know as soon as pos!
 sible. None of the teens miss rehearsal because of homework and sometimes they 
do it when other parts are rehearsing. (just a side note, I joined a synagogue 
choir of professionals when I was 13. I did not miss hardly a week from the 
time I was in 7th grade until I was finished with high school and I did not 
learn dedication by wishy washy rules; I wanted to be their and knew I would 
not if I was inconsistent. It was an experience that became invaluable to me in 
later life. Had I been told I couldn't join I may not have become involved in 
Jewish musical life later on.)

So I would say that rather than not allow teens at all, I would make it clear 
that to be considered in the adult choir, they have to come to most of the 
rehearsals. They need to know what the expectation is. I think that would hold 
true for most adults as well, who need to set an example for the teens. What 
you would hopefully have then is a dedicated group of singers who know what 
dedication is  want to be there and feel it is important.  

Hope all works out for you. 

Ellen
Roch. Ny

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