[HANASHIR:3737] Re: Interpretation Blues

[Robbi Sherwin <sherwin...>]

Adrian - you brought up many points that validate the reason I DO NOT have
a HHday choir.  Mine is all volunteer, as well, even our "ringer" (David
Loewy for those who know him) doesn't get paid, plus you can call us CAJE
Chorale Southwest, as we do the music of Dropkin, Budin, Friedman, Sherwin,
Gostein, Brodsky/MahTovu, Hirschorn, etc.  Instead of using the Yamim
Noraim CD set, I'll use Julie Silver's "Sim Shalom."

I don't have a HHday choir because of the potential performance aspect, the
lack of participation from the congregation, the fear of a "Bimah
Halleluyah Chorus" all singing "Amen" (in 9 part harmony!) to every
brachot.  This is purely my opinion & style - I know many, many choirs are
awesome during the HHday services, and that each individual cantor/music
director/soloist has to go with what moves their own congregation.

On the occasions when Kesher, my choir,  does sing,  while never a
performance, by the second verse and chorus we have the congregation
singing along, (songsheets are always provided) which is the whole point
for us.  As far as "new contemporary music not in classical style that
would still be suitable for these grand and awesome occasions," I've even
written a new version of "Hinini," the grandiose cantor's prayer which asks
G-d to forgive any boo-boos the cantor may make as the shaliach tzibor
representing the prayers of the people.  It's in (gasp!) English.  Look
around and you'll find even more suitable substitutions.  Debbie's "Sh'ma
Koleinu" gets a beautiful response. What is that response?  Ownership and
responsibility of the worship experience.  Participation in the worship
experience.  Anticipation of the worship experience.

Please feel free to write me separately, and I'll be glad to share the
alternative HHday melodies I am using at my congregation, Kol Halev (voice
of the heart.)

Robbi Sherwin
(really needing to practice those melodies, but on the computer once again!)
Austin, TX


>So, are any of the others of you out there who are conducting HHD choirs
>tired of hearing "well, that's a different interpretation than we're used
>to"? I sure am. >>>>After
>all, it's not a performance, it's prayer!!
>

>And here's a project for someone (or someones.) While I love  much of the
>great classical and contemporary settings of musical prayers used for the HH
>Days, I would sure like to see a whole lot of new contemporary music not in
>classical style that would still be suitable for these grand and awesome
>occasions, and still retain aspects of nusach appropriate for the HH Days. <<<


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