[HANASHIR:15437] Re: choir members miss rehearsals. What to do

[jdkrheum <jdkrheum...>]

I agree that, when you're dealing with a volunteer choir, you need to
forgive people's inability to make a total commitment, and find ways for
them to keep up at home. The bottom line is that the congregation feels
closer to the music and the prayers. (Btw: I'm sure you didn't mean to
say the teenager is menopausal!)
-Amy

On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 03:22:14 +0000 "Carol Boyd Leon" <cbleon (at) 
hotmail(dot)com>
writes:
> My adult volunteer choir members also miss rehearsals for similar 
> reasons; 
> in addition, like you, I have one teenager in the group and she has 
> school 
> commitments plus she needs me to drive her to and from rehearsals.
> 
> I put up with it, and gladly.  I figure that the only way to 
> maintain a 
> volunteer choir is to make the members feel welcome and appreciated 
> even if 
> they miss some rehearsals and therefore miss learning some of the 
> music and 
> slow things down a bit.  If certain choir members really aren't 
> prepared for 
> a performance or service and can't readily wing it, they could 
> always opt 
> out of performing that evening, but at least they're still part of 
> the group 
> and can help out the next time.  However, I try to provide them with 
> 
> practice tapes of the songs that are more challenging so they can 
> practice 
> on their own.  I also take into account the fact that there are 
> bound to be 
> absences which would affect the group's ability to master difficult 
> music 
> and I consider that when making my music selections.
> 
> I figure that there are several reasons for having a volunteer 
> choir.  One, 
> of course, is to present wonderful music that enhances the worship 
> experience.  But another is to provide the choir members with a 
> musical link 
> to their synagogue and to their fellow congregants.  (I'm the only 
> noncongregant in the group, but I feel fortunate that they tend to 
> treat me 
> as one.)  So I'd be extremely reluctant to chastise a member for not 
> showing 
> up or ask them to leave the group.
> 
> Indeed, I've never asked them to report to me why they're absent or 
> late but 
> am always pleasantly surprised by how many of them (there are more 
> than 20 
> in the group) take the time to email or phone me to explain.  And I 
> must say 
> that I tend to think their reasons for being absent are usually 
> valid ones; 
> I figure that  those who place work commitments and family before 
> volunteer 
> choir commitments are acting quite reasonably.
> 
> Basically, they all try to do what they can.  I've asked the group 
> to sing 
> at the first Shabbat service in a brand new interfaith chapel 
> currently 
> being built at a large retirement community to make it an especially 
> 
> memorable Shabbat for the residents.  The location and the time are 
> very 
> inconvenient for several of the choir members and the service 
> (Reform) and 
> accompaniment (guitar) will be unfamiliar to them (they're from a 
> Conservative shul).  But almost all of them are willing to do this 
> mitzvah 
> anyway.  These are good folks who are doing what they can and they 
> know how 
> much I appreciate all their effort.
> 
> I think that your providing for more weeks during which they can 
> learn the 
> music is a good idea.  Keeps the pressure off of everyone!
> 
> -- Carol
> 
> Carol Boyd Leon
> Songwriter/Cantorial Soloist/Music Educator
> E-mail:  CBLeon (at) hotmail(dot)com
> Phone:  703-250-0554
> Web page:  http://www.geocities.com/CBoydLeon
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: "Rabbi Richard Schachet" <LVRabbi (at) cox(dot)net>
> Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
> Subject: [HANASHIR:15411] choir members miss rehearsals. What to do
> Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 19:25:38 -0700
> 
> 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
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> Instant message during games with MSN Messenger 6.0. Download it now 
> FREE!  
> http://msnmessenger-download.com
> 
> ------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
> -----------------------+
> Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Network  http://shamash.org  
> A service of Hebrew College, which offers online courses and an
> online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/ 
> 
> * * FREE JEWISH LEARNING * *
> Shamash invites you to join MyJewishLearning.com, a comprehensive,
> objective, authoritative and interactive learning resource in all 
> areas
> of Judaism.  Free membership via 
> http://www.myjewishlearning.com/shamash
> ------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
> -----------------------=
> 
> 

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+
Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Network  http://shamash.org  
A service of Hebrew College, which offers online courses and an
online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/ 

* * FREE JEWISH LEARNING * *
Shamash invites you to join MyJewishLearning.com, a comprehensive,
objective, authoritative and interactive learning resource in all areas
of Judaism.  Free membership via http://www.myjewishlearning.com/shamash
------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------=