RE: Adon Olam et al

[Adrian Durlester <durleste...>]

And I would respond that it is exactly because of what I have learned from
seriously studying nusach and Jewish musical history that I decry this
traditionalist insistence on not stepping outside some arbitrary musical
boundary.

While, being one myself, I agree with the need for trained musical
professionals, nevertheless I see their role as helping to guide
congregations into a well wrought blend of tradition and modernity.

I also believe too much emphasis is being placed on the keva, and not the
kavanah. We can't get inside peoples' brains to determine if "ignorantly
intoning di-di-di" is or is not effective in praising, asking, petitioning,
and thanking G-d. While I take every opportunity I can to demonstrate to
them how they can use traditional nusach (and music in that style) and
t'filah to achieve whatever end they seek in worship, and have that rare
occasion when someone finally grasps the possibilities, I would never
presume to sit in judgment of someone who does not make the connection. If
they are there, in the synagogue, worshipping, that is in itself (sadly,
these days) a miracle.

Adrian



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
[mailto:owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of elkahn (at) 
JTSA(dot)EDU
Sent: Friday, February 05, 1999 8:33 AM
To: World music from a Jewish slant.
Cc: elkahn
Subject: Re: Adon Olam et al



Ameyn. And may I also add that after learning a bit about Nusah and
studying Jewish musical history over the past few years, American Jews
should be extremely concerned right now about the state of music in their
synagogues. From what I've observed in COUNTLESS synagogues in the NY
metro area, it's deplorable.

The communal singing that was introduced in the sixties has finally borne
its bitter fruit: congregants ignorantly intoning di-di-di for every other
blasted prayer, singing the "Sh'ma" (not such a hot tune to begin with) at
a largo tempo to invest it with solemnity, lay song leaders leading
prayers in stratospheric keys that only a chipmunk could sing in, an on
and on...ad nauseum.

I am NOT speaking of Orthodox synagogues because I don't worship there,
rather the Reform, Reconstructionist and some Conservative branches.

Why do congregants -- and especially board members -- believe they can do
without trained cantors and other music professionals? Is the next step
that they can do without trained rabbis?

Democratization of prayer and song are good things -- but within reason.
When there are no trained professionals around, the results are that the
inmates take over the asylum. That is not my idea of a vibrant, living
Judaism.

Eliott Kahn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian A. Durlester  -  durleste (at) home(dot)com
http://members.home.net/durleste/
Student, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
http://divinity.lib.vanderbilt.edu/vds/vds-home.htm
Music Director, Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN
http://www.micahnash.org/
Home phone (615) 646-9788
Nextel cel-phone (615) 207-2661
You can page me from http://www.nextel.com
List-Owner for hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Co-Owner for L-Torah (at) 
shamash(dot)org
http://uahc.org/hanashir
Editor, Bim Bam (for Torah Aura Productions)
http://www.torahaura.com/
Alternate Email: aad (at) iname(dot)com  adriand (at) aol(dot)com




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