[HANASHIR:16423] Re: Early Childhood Developmentally Appropriate Practice

[Shirona <shirona...>]

  Adrian wrote:
  "As to "high quality" and "professionalism" I would argue that both are
  extremely subjective evaluations. How does one measure quality?" 

  Adrian, there are many ways in which we can "measure quality".  How does a 
violin teacher teach his/her students how to play the violin?  Not by paying 
attention, "measuring" and upgrading all that constitutes "good music" - pitch, 
intonation, rhythm...? How else can you learn how to play? By pretending that 
there are no "absolutes" or standards to measure up to? How PC do we need to be 
here... even an untrained ear can tell the difference between a good violin 
player and a bad one.  Is that "subjective"...?  I don't think so.

  So when we speak of "professionalism" and "high standards" I would suggest
  that we recognize that it really is entirely personal opinion--because we
  are all likely to disagree on this matter of quality. I do not believe there
  is universal agreement among musicians and among Jewish musicians, or the
  members of this list, on how we are to rate the quality and professionalism
  of anyone else. 

  Try tell that to a musician who is trying to get into the Philharmonic, or 
even your average Rock band... if they suck, they just won't make it, thank G-d.

  And I also think it is extremely important that we remember why people do
  what they do. Any music that is Lashem Shamayim---
  That's one of the problems, I think.  Just because we feel like praising 
HaShem doesn't excuse us from holding to certain professional standards - I 
would argue that just the opposite should be the case.

  So it's not a matter of "political correctness" it's a matter of being
  Buber-esque--and treating all relationships as I-Thou. For we are all
  b'tzelem Elokim. Maybe these "hush-hush" dialogues and criticisms are
  "hush-hush" not due to political correctness, but due to embarrassment.
  Because I sure would be embarrassed to be criticizing anyone's attempt to
  praise Gd with music.
  I wouldn't be embarrassed at all!  Whatever people do in private is their 
business - but if they publish their music they should be willing and able to 
handle honest, constructive criticism.
   
  Quality and professionalism just don't mix with my vision of faith. 
  They do with mine... striving for high quality is in itself an expression of 
faith and reverence...how can you NOT offer the very best to the Creator... or 
to your community?  If we abandon our standards for the sake of pleasing 
everyone and being PC with everyone what do we have left to offer?

  Yes, we
  must each offer Gd our best--but that is just it. It's up to EACH of us.
  Yes, as a community, we are also responsible to see that our community is
  represented by the best it can offer, and so, yes, we should work to raise
  the level of what we do. 
  Without being honest - it's not going to happen...

  Yes, there is bad music, bad pedagogy, et al out there. And yes, we, as a
  community are responsible for trying to find a way to help make it better.
  But that's not going to happen by creating Star Chambers and elitist groups
  of judges. Or by snickering behind people's backs. Or by confrontation.

  Instead of snickering about someone's musical abilities, or simply outright
  and outspokenly condemning their efforts, if one feels that strongly about
  it, why not take them by the hand and work with them to help improve those
  things one finds lacking? That, to me, is a better definition of "kol
  Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh." If their own haughtiness causes them to reject
  your offer, so be it. At least one has made the effort.
  It certainly sounds noble and high-minded... but in the mean time, bottom 
line, there is a trend happening in the world of Jewish Music that is pretty 
upsetting to me, and to all those who feel the same way in private - but who'd 
rather not be exposed to the "wrath of the PC community"... I mean - do I need 
to hear from non-Jews things like "what's up with this music"?  What kind of 
excuses do we offer?  "We're a very non-judgmental community and by us 
everything goes - so long as you have real "kavana" in your heart."  

  Music is an ART, and there are inherent qualities imbedded within it.  If we 
choose this particular art-form as a way to express ourselves to the Creator - 
in front of a community - we should make it our business to be GOOD at it 
before we come out with our stuff, with a little humility... And I simply don't 
believe the argument that claims all of this to be "subjective". I believe the 
problem lies in a communal *lack of honesty*... because all of us know 
instinctively when something is "bad" or "mediocre", but like I said in my 
previous post - held hostage to the "non judgmental PC attitude"...to the point 
of sacrificing the truth...  Just like in "The Emperors' New Clothes".
  Shirona