[HANASHIR:3982] High Holidays

[Susan Schanerman <sschanerman.dvh...>]

Well, three weeks after my surgery I got up in front of our five hundred
families and sang my heart out.  My voice held, my energy held, and I
even got most of my cues.  It was my first high holidays as cantorial
soloist and an especially poignant one after my recent health concerns.
Four months of almost daily work led me to an eclectic service which
ranged from the traditional greats to Dropkin, Silver, and Friedman.  I
think everything fit in wonderfully and provided something meaningful (I
hope) to our very diverse congregation.

The only real opposition I had along the way came from the choir.  They
were leery of one of their colleagues separating herself from the choral
crowd and they were very resistant to learning the HH melodies in the
arrangements that I had.  They were convinced that the congregation
would not accept my versions.  It was true that I started RH as a
soloist but I finished YK with a lot of congregational vocal support on
some of the most-repeated melodies.  Next year should be even easier.

I agree that it's very meaningful to use HH melodies but I do have to
say that one of the high points of RH for me was when I led the
congregation in the traditional Shabbat V'shamru.  It was wonderful to
hear 1000+ people singing something they knew.  I think there's value in
doing some familar-to-all melodies throughout the services.

The learning curve continues.  My first Hallel at our Sukkot/Shabbat
service this Friday night.  We use GOP so Hallel is limited to two
psalms.  Rabbi told me to pick one to sing.  I've been reading that it's
customary to wave the lulav during Hodu l'Adonai.  Does anyone do this?
Any recommendations on melodies?  I've got the Alter Hodu in Manginot.
Susan Schanerman
Relieved cantorial soloist in Phoenix

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