Hava Nashira      May 28 - June 1, 2014

 

This year marks the start of my 20th year as Songleader for Congregation Etz Chaim. This was also my 20th year attending Hava Nashira, the annual song leading and music conference held at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc Wisconsin.

 

Created by Debbie Friedman z"l and Cantor Jeff Klepper among others, Hava Nashira provides the opportunity to improve your skills as you learn from the finest Jewish music innovators and composers.

 

This year’s faculty included Cantor Jeff Klepper, Ellen Allard, Merri Lovinger Arian, Cantor Rosalie Boxt, Rabbi Ken Chasen, Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Alan Goodis, Billy Jonas, Shira Kline, Josh Nelson, Dan Nichols, Craig Taubman, and Noah Aronson.

 

We learn the latest new Jewish music from our faculty, have opportunities to attend varying styles of worship services morning and evening each day, and also have the opportunity to share our own music with each other during the week at open mic and sharing sessions.

 

The workshops offered during this amazing week cover every possible aspect of Jewish music and all that performing this avodah (sacred work) entails. These are the descriptions of the sessions I chose to attend this year.

 

Thursday Intensive

 

The “Songleaders Track”

Faculty: Dan Nichols

 

Ever wonder what the URJ and Ramah song leaders are doing in their track? Now's your chance to get an inside look and take home the techniques, the programs and the repertoire that the URJ and Camp Ramah Songleaders are raving about.

 

Friday Intensive

 

Singing, Strategizing, and Selecting Worship Melodies to Make Sparks Fly!

Faculty: Merri Lovinger Arian

 

We will sing through multiple settings of familiar and not so familiar Shabbat liturgy, with the goal of making these prayer moments soar. Which readings would partner effectively with which musical settings, and how might we think creatively about effective ways to “perform” these melodies?

 

Elective A

 

The Other Ten Months: Bringing “Camp” Music Back to Our Communities

Faculty: Noah Aronson and Alan Goodis

 

We've all heard it. Some of us have probably said it. How can we use the music of camp in our home community? Two months of the year are spent in the bliss and warmth of the summer months. But what do we do for the other ten months? How do those of us who are synagogue musicians during the year take the repertoire and skills gained from camp experience and successfully bring them into the synagogue setting? Alan and Noah will share a repertoire of camp tested songs and skills that translate well in congregational worship and school settings. Some songs will be new, some songs you may already know and some you may have completely forgotten about. Songleaders, Synagogue musicians and clergy will all work together to sing through the repertoire and develop a use and application guide to connect the music our young people learn at camp to your synagogues.

 

Elective B

 

Whole-body Teaching and Learning: Creating an Instant Choir

Faculty: Judith Silver (British harmony singing teacher)

 

Through the medium of teaching some of her own songs – rounds and harmony pieces – Judith will cover a set of her most useful ways of helping a group grasp a song with gusto and confidence without the aid of a safety net (or sheet music!). Some of the techniques can be used in teaching during worship, others perhaps not… All are fun and may help you as well as your students/choirs/congregants to pick melodies and harmonies up by ear more easily. Repertoire/Technique

 

Elective C

 

Playing with Others

Faculty: Noah Aronson

 

As song leaders, music teachers and prayer leaders, we're constantly put in situations to lead bands and work with other musicians. This course will teach you the language of how to communicate your needs to other musicians by showing you how to create quick and effective band charts and lead sheets. This will help you build confidence when working with other musicians and will get you started on creating great musical moments in your communities.

 

Once again I return from this experience with renewed energy and dedication to, as I learned in one session, “engage, elevate and enhance” through my musical leadership. I look forward to sharing and singing with you in the year ahead.