[HANASHIR:15457] Re: choir members miss rehearsals. What to do

[Rabbi Richard Schachet <LVRabbi...>]

Yes I meant to say menopausal-- at least her actions are like a woman going
through menopause.

For the record-- This young woman has missed 3 major rehearsals including
for Kol Nidre and must always leave by 8:00 PM.

Intruth she should not have joined the choir this year.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jdkrheum (at) juno(dot)com>
To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 5:36 AM
Subject: [HANASHIR:15437] Re: choir members miss rehearsals. What to do


> 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
> >
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