[HANASHIR:3976] Re: Catching My Breath

[David & Susan Esterman <estermans...>]

> Well, the Yamim Noraim are over, finally. I'm happy to report that my 25
> member volunteer choir (plus 4 ringers) did quite well, and lived up to my
> expectation-which is to enhance the worship experience of those present.
> (Unfortunately, my rabbi is more interested in a good "performance."
Sigh.)
Well, you're fortunate in your numbers, adrian! we have 5 regular choir
members, and one ring-in who has a great voice but doesn't read music. So we
"doubled up" for leading services, which was easier than having one of us
lead individually.
We use HH melodies for Borchu, Shema, mi chamocha, Kedusha, and
different-than-everyday melodies for lots of other things - we have found
the HH music books very useful indeed for this, as you're not locked into
any particular set, so to speak. They are really expensive (to get to NZ!!)
but well worth it.
This year we started to switch at the start of Elul for a few things, though
not for all. The congregation has got used to it now, but they still forget
sometimes, so we give them a gentle reminder just before services begin!
Our rabbi is happy with whatever we do (oy vey!!) and so each year we try to
include another HH nusach or special tune. This year one of us learned a
melody for Ya'aleh and sang it as a solo. Worked really well.

I find this list fascinating, and eventually it will be useful too!
Sue Esterman
Temple Sinai, Wellington, NZ
>
>
>
>

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+
Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Internet Consortium  http://shamash.org
------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------=