[HANASHIR:2288] Re: Rachelle's adult volunteer choir

[LeighKorn <LeighKorn...>]

In a message dated 2/1/99 4:05:11 PM Central Standard Time, mbassman (at) 
erols(dot)com
writes:

<< Now when I
 accept new members, I look for some instrumental or vocal music experience
 and at least a minimal ability to read music. >>

I respectfully disagree with this sort of requirement.  I have found that one
of the most important things that has come out of the existence of a volunteer
choir is that congregants who never felt like they could find their niche,
have found it in the volunteer choir.  They have found a new social circle and
really feel like they've found a place where they fit in.  It truly is one of
the most special things you can volunteer for in a congregation.  After all,
what is more special than leading your fellow congregants in prayer?  I would
never want to exclude someone simply because they don't have a certain
background.  Instead of excluding those without a basic musical background,
teach it to them.    

My formal training is in conducting, but I certainly don't (and shouldn't)
expect the same things of my volunteer choir, as I would of a professional
ensemble.  In my ensemble, I have everything from trained singers to those who
wouldn't know a treble clef from an eighth note.  Someone once said that the
forest would surely be a quiet place if the only birds that sang were those
that sang best.  As a conductor, it is my responsibility to tailor my
repertoire to my ensemble.  Use your more experienced singers to help the
less-experienced ones.  

Remember why your volunteer choir exists.  I tell my singers that first and
foremost they are singing for G-d, and that G-d is THE MOST appreciative
audience of all.  Second, they sing for themselves; third, for the sake of
worship; and I come fourth or fifth (depending on the given makeup of the
ritual committee!).  If you can instill this notion in your singers (I remind
them of this often), you will surely avoid your "strong singers in the group
getting bored and threatening to quit."  They have to know what it's all
about.  If they understand their function, they'll even revel in unison
singing.  Remember, Shabbat is not a concert.  

Finally, don't "lower your expectations."  Rework them.  Take all of the
factors into consideration and go from there.  In fact, avoid setting
expectations (if they're really important at all?!?!) that are cast in stone.
Instead of setting expectations like: "We WILL sing 4-part music", set an
expectation like "We are going to sing Shalom Rav on Friday night, regardless
of the setting or arrangement, in such a beautiful, heartfelt way that we are
going to rediscover what this prayer is all about."  

Just don't lose sight of the function of music in worship, and especially the
function of a volunteer choir.

Leigh

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