[HANASHIR:3744] Re: HHD music

[LPKAROL <LPKAROL...>]

    For the last several years, I have become the quasi-director of our High 
Holy Day ensemble, which includes about 12 people -mainly adults, but there 
are several high school students who sing with us.  The choir sings selected 
songs, and two women in the ensemble and I alternate on solos.   
    I use guitar only for the children's services on RH and YK - our organist 
(the minister at the local Metropolitan Community Church who is a real mensch 
who puts his neshomeh into his playing) has learned to play some of what we 
sing in much the same way that I would play it on guitar.  Debbie F's Psalm 
150, Psalm 23, Halleluyah (Vaanachnu N'varech Yah), Modim, and Veshamru, and 
Jeff Klepper's Shalom Rav/B'seifer chayim, Mah Tovu, Haporeis Sukkat Shalom, 
and Yaysh Kochavim, sound great. 
      We use melodies for Avinu Malkeinu, V'al Kulam, Untaneh tokef, and Ki 
Anu Amecha and, of course, Kol Nidre, to name a few, that I remember from my 
upbringing in Kansas City and that I have a sense are still in use in many 
congregations.   We need to work on changing our Chatzi Kaddish to the HHD 
melody.   We choose soloists to do settings of the HHD Mi Chamocha (evening 
and morning).  
       We also try to keep things somewhat simple, with 2 or 3 parts at most, 
although the Shalom Rav arrangement is in 4 parts.   People in the choir and 
congregation seem to enjoy the music as it is.  
         Other members of the ensemble direct the music during the services - 
I step back from my "rabbi" position at the lectern to assume my 
"baritone/tenor" spot with the other singers.  It certainly helps my kavanah 
to sing!
        Thanks for sharing your experiences - I may make some changes due to 
what I've read here.   
      Also, thanks, Adrian, for the great CAJE report.  And Susan, refuah 
shlaymah!
L'shalom,
Rabbi Larry Karol
Temple Beth Sholom
Topeka, Kansas

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