[HANASHIR:16436] Re: Ah... the double-edged sword

[FAVNI <FAVNI...>]

Having sat on my hands until now, though I made 2 aborted attempts to respond 
to Shirona et al with an enthusiastic "nachon m'od", I have to say "kol 
hakavod" Brad. Very eloquently stated. 
I am one of the people who has heard endless whispered or shouted -'asides' 
from contemporaries (many on this list) about the inconsistent level, and low 
quality etc of the Jewish music that we are immersed in at countless 
conferences and performances. 
After 30 years of being a Jewish musician, as a producer and mentor, my role 
has been to support and encourage, and also often to discourage --- above all 
trying to be truthful. I believe having integrity means to be honest - not 
hurtful. Raising the bar and striving towards excellence in education, in the 
arts , in all that we do as teachers, writers, composers, faciitators, 
performers, parents, people - is something we all strive for.  We must do no 
less for 
Jewish music.
There are so many fabulous examples of members on this list who are working 
like crazy to improve their skills, are amazing early childhood educators as 
well, or great music therapists, or who practice endlessly to become amazing 
instrumentalists, or travel to the ends of the world finding links to Jewish 
music, or study to become Cantors, Rabbis, spiritual leaders, who have changed 
the 
face of Jewish music with their compositions and talents - and who are just 
starting out on their own path. 
Wherever we are on the continuum, it takes hard work, dedication and 
perserverence. And those who are 'heaven blessed' with musical gifts do have 
the 
responsibilty to share them. 
But not all songwriters have to sing their own songs, not all singers have to 
write their own music, and not all music educators have to record a CD.
B'shalom,
Fran Avni
www.franavni.com

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