To everything, turn, turn, turn...
Hey everyone! Yet again, I haven't updated in ages. Ages that grow longer all the time. But I thought I'd finally catch you all up, while I'm here waiting around at the Portland (ME) train/bus station. In lieu of the traditional retrospective New Years' entry, I'll just update you on the 4 months or so that you've heard nothing about, if you're relying on this journal still for info about me.
So, my last update was on August 24, about plans to visit NYC in September. I made that trip and had fun seeing friends, as well as singing with a small professional choir at the 5th ave synagogue for Selichot, where I'm unofficially invited to return next year. Singing went very well. I stayed with Suz and Graeme, and visited Dave, Ilya, and possibly others who have slipped my mind at the current moment.
I sang a couple weeks later in Williamantic, CT, where I'm cantorial soloist for the high holy days. I felt nervous and underprepared when I arrived, but after an intimidating first service, it only was and felt easier for the coming ones. So much repetition of the same music from service to service, and fewer new things each day. I got some constructive criticism from the rabbi, primarily regarding the silent/independent prayer parts of the service, which are relatively unfamiliar to me as a reform Jew. Which parts and paragraphs do I start leading, how long do I continue before trailing off into independent bits, and when and where do I pick up the concluding phrases? It may seem odd when there are all these big, intricate cantorial prayers that the little in-between bits and pieces would challenge me most, but that's where I had the most trouble. Having lead all of these things at least once, though, I'm confident that I will be able to repeat and improve it for the coming year. My contract from last year had my return built in, stating that I'd come back and lead again unless either party gave notice prior to February that they planned to find someone/where else. I heard nothing but compliments from the congregation and the temple leadership, and everyone seemed eager to have me back, so I don't expect to hear anything different in the next month.
The day after I returned from Yom Kippur in CT, in late September, I started my new job at Red Oak after school program, part of the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center. With my partner group leader, Cindy, who had started only a week before me, I planned and managed activities and watched over a group of 20 first and second graders. 20 hours a week, with benefits, requiring neither evenings nor weekends and perfect for supporting erratic musical work financially without getting in the way of the required time. It was trying at times, but fun, and I really loved my kids. And, as I found out when I was laid off a couple months later, they loved me too. I was laid off purely because I was last hired -- parents were laid off, pulled kids out to save money, and fewer students meant there wasn't enough income for the organization to maintain my position. We asked the kids to make something -- anything -- for me on my last regular day, and provided them with art supplies. I was touched by the things they made, and the tremendous affection they showed me once it was announced I would be leaving. I was touched particularly by the one student who gave me the hardest time, who I would have sworn hated me, but who, when it came time for these last impressions, wrote "I love you" on the card she made for me on my last day. It's amazing what an impression I made in just two months, but I was once again searching for jobs.
I was substituting most of the day New Year's eve at Red Oak, before singing in the evening at All-Saints. While I was there, the director told me of an opening, in a similar position to the one I had been laid off from. Actually, the same position by title, though I'd be working with kids a year or two older this time. At the time, it was probable they'd offer it to me if I wanted it, and since then it has all been confirmed, and I'll start Monday, Jan. 11.
So, my last update was on August 24, about plans to visit NYC in September. I made that trip and had fun seeing friends, as well as singing with a small professional choir at the 5th ave synagogue for Selichot, where I'm unofficially invited to return next year. Singing went very well. I stayed with Suz and Graeme, and visited Dave, Ilya, and possibly others who have slipped my mind at the current moment.
I sang a couple weeks later in Williamantic, CT, where I'm cantorial soloist for the high holy days. I felt nervous and underprepared when I arrived, but after an intimidating first service, it only was and felt easier for the coming ones. So much repetition of the same music from service to service, and fewer new things each day. I got some constructive criticism from the rabbi, primarily regarding the silent/independent prayer parts of the service, which are relatively unfamiliar to me as a reform Jew. Which parts and paragraphs do I start leading, how long do I continue before trailing off into independent bits, and when and where do I pick up the concluding phrases? It may seem odd when there are all these big, intricate cantorial prayers that the little in-between bits and pieces would challenge me most, but that's where I had the most trouble. Having lead all of these things at least once, though, I'm confident that I will be able to repeat and improve it for the coming year. My contract from last year had my return built in, stating that I'd come back and lead again unless either party gave notice prior to February that they planned to find someone/where else. I heard nothing but compliments from the congregation and the temple leadership, and everyone seemed eager to have me back, so I don't expect to hear anything different in the next month.
The day after I returned from Yom Kippur in CT, in late September, I started my new job at Red Oak after school program, part of the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center. With my partner group leader, Cindy, who had started only a week before me, I planned and managed activities and watched over a group of 20 first and second graders. 20 hours a week, with benefits, requiring neither evenings nor weekends and perfect for supporting erratic musical work financially without getting in the way of the required time. It was trying at times, but fun, and I really loved my kids. And, as I found out when I was laid off a couple months later, they loved me too. I was laid off purely because I was last hired -- parents were laid off, pulled kids out to save money, and fewer students meant there wasn't enough income for the organization to maintain my position. We asked the kids to make something -- anything -- for me on my last regular day, and provided them with art supplies. I was touched by the things they made, and the tremendous affection they showed me once it was announced I would be leaving. I was touched particularly by the one student who gave me the hardest time, who I would have sworn hated me, but who, when it came time for these last impressions, wrote "I love you" on the card she made for me on my last day. It's amazing what an impression I made in just two months, but I was once again searching for jobs.
I was substituting most of the day New Year's eve at Red Oak, before singing in the evening at All-Saints. While I was there, the director told me of an opening, in a similar position to the one I had been laid off from. Actually, the same position by title, though I'd be working with kids a year or two older this time. At the time, it was probable they'd offer it to me if I wanted it, and since then it has all been confirmed, and I'll start Monday, Jan. 11.