[HANASHIR:1431] Re: Organs and Choirs

[Ketzev2 <Ketzev2...>]

I really ca't believe I'm going to write this, but I believe that depending
upon the setting and the situation, that the organ needs to stay within our
music tradition somehow, some way.

I led a "Family" High Holiday service again this year. Ther were almost 350
people there. The variety of music was mostly "camp-style" in nature. I used
nusach when I could, as a balance and a reminder that this music was "special"
and had to be included in the "Traditional" way.

After reading everyone's comments the past few days, I came to realize that
the Organ is a "real" tradition of the Jewish people, and though I am a guitar
playing Jewish musicleader, I think I've come to realize that the organ IS
apart of our tradition that can't be put to pasture. There are a few caveats
however.....

-We should, perhaps, transpose more songs to singable keys.
    This would enable more congrgants the ability to participate. 
(The problem/reality is that there are still many large, cathedral-like
synagogues around. The sheer awe of these places is, in part, an aspect and
reflection of why the organ was the instrument of choice when these places
were built. But now that they've been a part of our culture for these 100
years or so, it HAS and IS a part of our musical heritage and it needs to stay
and grow and modify to our current needs)
-We should seek a balance of music, instrumentally and vocally, to reflect the
best music personality of each congregation/community.
-We must NOT overuse either medium- contemporary or traditional.
We must continue to dialogue about what is specifically working and not
working.

Those are my few shekels--
Music is what binds our souls together-on any instrument-all the time.
Chag Sameach to all--

Steve Dropkin