[HANASHIR:1390] Re: Organs and HH music

[QuelliPG <QuelliPG...>]

Guess what Rachel,
The same problems occur in synagogues without organs but with choirs!  I've
spend most of my life at synagogues with a cappella cantor and choir and with
few exceptions, people do not sing when the choir is singing.  Although a good
choir is pleasurable to listen to and occasionally can even provide spiritual
inspiration (for me personally), I think it should be used sparingly - for
parts of the service traditionally chanted by cantor, not for congregational
melodies (unless the cantor is able to get people to sing along on the
refrains and not do wierd pauses or modulations that throw congregants off).
And certainly not for amens and other congregational responses.  

As far as incorporating "contemporary" melodies (e.g.Klepper) into the
service, I think that this is a nice addition that most Conservative
congregations don't add, but I can't even imagine them being done on organ!!!
A lot of them don't work so well a cappella either unless the choir sings
chords behind the melody...

this whole discussion is fascinating to me, not being accustomed to hearing an
organ (or any other instrument) in services.

Raquel