[HANASHIR:1413] Re: organs

[janeen kobrinsky <janeen...>]

well, I've watched the debate about organ accompaniment go on and I just
want to throw in my two cents worth.

I have to stand on the side of "organ as church instrument" ... to me, the
organ conjures images of churches, plain and simple.  I think each one of us
comes to this issue with our own particular bias born out of our experiences
along the way.  For any of us coming out of a more traditional background
and davening experience the sound of an organ just interferes at the least
and at the worst it is really a "lahavdil" thing.

We are not using the "organ stops" on our digital piano anymore and I'm
quite pleased with this decision.  This year, for the yomim Noraim services
I chanted much more in traditional nusach ... and the keyboard was a very
gentle accompaniment when used.  Adrian had asked a week or so ago what our
musical mix was like.  It remains eclectic ... I sang Friedman's "Adonai
Roi"  I chanted "Eyl Moley" accapella ... I did lots and lots of Lewandowski
and I also did Richards "R'tzei" ... we used the traditional Yontif melodies
for the "Barchu/Shema/Michamocha" and Dropkin's "Sim Shalom", Klepper's
"Shalom Rav" and Carlebach's "pitchu li". You get the idea.

I feel rather strongly that the continuous introduction of "new" music into
worship services can be overdone.  Some folks begin to feel assaulted.
Congregants have pointed out to me that they don't always learn new tunes
easily (an idea that I'm certain is foreign to each and every one of us) and
there is strong comfort in knowing the music that is being sung.  Our
congregation sings here ... a lot ... and my favourite moments are when I
realize that everyone is singing and I don't have to lead anymore.

I am singing for a Reform congregation in Winnipeg several times this fall
(that would be in Canada and is my home town) ... they are starving for
music that they can sing with ... their previous cantor was of the old
"performance" school ... I sang for a bar mitzvah there in May and it felt
very odd when no one joined in.  They have invited me to teach new tunes on
the Friday nights that I am there and hopefully they will feel comfortable
singing them during the Saturday morning services.

Well, that's my two cents.  Keep the organ for Bach, church and secular
recitals ... it may be the king of instruments to some but the voice will
always be the instrument of the heart for me.  We do often use percussion
(we pass them out to the congregation) ... tof u'machol ... guitar is always
happening ... and kol nidre is played on cello ... a beautiful voice ...

shanah tova ... and chag sameach
janeen in fargo