[HANASHIR:2366] Re: The Evolution of the "La-la" Barchu

[RaizelD <RaizelD...>]

In a message dated 99-02-12 13:18:25 EST, Jeff Kepper writes:

<< Personally I prefer Sharlin's melody, and that is what I use in my
 congregation.  But I am often reminded of Cantor Steve Richard's answer to
 the question of "how do you know who is singing the correct melody?"  The
 answer is, "the one closest to the microphone." >>

Hmm.  You got a point there.  Then again, I have been enjoying learning
tradtional nusach and realizing that not only the barechu but also the Shema
that most of us sing is a composed melody!!!

Traditionally it is customary to do Shema in the nusach of that particular
time of day Shabbat or holiday.  It then becomes a challenge to get the
congregation out of a rut and in a flow with nusach. (Since the whole point of
nusach is to guide us to experience most fully the "engergetic" of that time
of day Shabbat or holiday.)  As the contemporary repertioire of nusach grows,
we can also lead sensitively to cultivate in congregants an awareness of
seasonal and momentous changes with varied melody...but thus far the body of
contemporary work is not consistent like traditional nusach...except perhaps
in certain Reform congregations that all use similar 'new melodies' or within
individual shuls that have had consistent chazzanut for years...

Rosalind Glazer

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