[HANASHIR:2908] Re: Performance vs. participatory

[Meris Ruzow <meris...>]

Enjoyed your piece about percussion, standing and moving.   How true.    Now
what does Kol Tuv mean?   Thanks for writing!
M
-----Original Message-----
From: EcoKosher1 (at) aol(dot)com <EcoKosher1 (at) aol(dot)com>
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1999 1:55 PM
Subject: [HANASHIR:2907] Performance vs. participatory


>now for my two cents: I am usually not in the songleading role, however I
>lead chants with dumbek & percussion accompaniement now and again. For me
to
>feel the prayers it is important to experience the prayers with voice and
>body. The most transformative prayer times I have experienced has been when
>the group is engaging in song and dance.
>
>I have experienced guitars as an inspiring uplifting accompaniment to
helping
>engage the congregation in song. I have also experienced musical
>accompaniment that does not. It really depends on the prayer/song leader.
>
>There are different methods to lead rituals. One way is to have a
>performance/observer mode.   Another way is community participatory mode.
The
>leader sets this tone. Community participatory mode can be extremely
>effective without professionally trained voices or instruments.  However,
if
>you happen to be able to have professionally trained high spirited leaders
>who can help us to move and sing, all the better.
>
>Also I have noticed when we lead uplifting songs and chants and the
>congregation remains seated, the energy is very different than when we
invite
>the congregation to rise and sing with their whole bodies.  It is my
>understanding, that the prayers were originally meant to be sung(psalms
>especially)and there was dancing and rejoicing in Temple times(particularly
>psalm 150 Halleluyah). My personal preference is for good rhythm to move.
OUr
>bodies are connected to our emotions and spirit, and mind. It is amazing
>freedom when we can gather them all together and rejoice. I also sing and
>dance the grief and sorrow. It sure helps to let it go.
>For me it's time to turn mourning into dancing.
>Kol tuv
>Yehudit Steinberg
>
>
>
>

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