From the Cantor - January 1999

Rules are made - not to be broken, but to be discussed, evaluated and consistently updated to fit their venues. When I first took the baton of HaShirah, our junior choir, I stated that members had to be in third grade or higher. Consequently, we have a very small - but very good! - choir. I have mulled over this policy, consulted colleagues, and have chosen to make two changes as a result. Change Number One: If you are younger than third grade, I heartily invite you to join HaShirah, provided you bring a parent to sit in rehearsal with you.

Change Number Two: I want to start a new ensemble for youngsters who are in that transitional stage between HaShirah and Zamir. This new group is not a choir, but will reflect a tradition called Hazzan bass zingerl which, a century ago, consisted of a boy soprano and a bass that sang an ensemble piece with the Cantor. Several Reform synagogues are now updating this practice by engaging one or two young voices to sing a prayer with their Cantor during Shabbat evening services, and I would like to make this a bi-weekly event.

Congregation Albert will proudly host the festivities for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 18 at 1:30 p.m. in our Sanctuary. Please join us for an afternoon of music by HaShirah and the Rhythms of Non-Violence, and help us honor those in Albuquerque who have worked hard to make Dr. King's dream come true. On Friday evening, January 29 at 8:00 p.m., we will have a musical Shabbat to celebrate Shabbat Shirah; the Sabbath in song during which we read in our Torah of the crossing of the Sea of Reeds from slavery into freedom. Zamir will be on hand to make a joyful noise, but we need your voices as well. If you're not sure how you fit into this picture, come to this special service and find out!

I look forward to seeing you at Family Camp on January 15-17.

B'Shalom u-v'shir,
Cantor Jacqueline L. Shuchat-Marx

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