Notes from the Harmonizer

Irrespective of the particular religion, it is almost universally accepted that public singing of at least a portion of the service tends to enhance the entire experience.

Indeed, there is something uplifting and inspiring about an assemblage joining together as one in a spirited and moving musical offering of prayer or supplication or thanks.

Such was my experience during the recent Rosh Hashana holiday when my wife, Janet, and I visited (some of) our kids in Baltimore. We participated in a synagogue service where the congregation, rather than simply sitting as docile spectators while the cantor chanted the liturgy, chose instead to sing along and aloud in a symphony of sound that, I believe, truly floated up to impact the angels in heaven while still lingering close by to touch the folks on earth.

What was particularly effective and moving was the presence of one individual who sang not so much along as alongside his fellow congregants, adding a tone and melody line that complemented the group.

As a musician who plays a variety of instruments, Janet was quick to realize that his contribution was to the music's structure and composition of chords.

As a mere listener who can't even play the radio, I may have missed the musical subtlety but at least brought to the broader communal effort.

At the end of the service, I thanked him for his public service and asked if he was a retied cantor or professional singer, to which he replied, "I am a harmonizer; I see my goal as drawing a series of often disparate sounds together and adding some spice to each. Some folks bring it, some folks bring it on, others bring it out or bring it in, I truly try to bring it together."

And sure enough, here was a man who didn't want to be the choirmaster or conductor or soloist. He neither wanted to lead nor follow, just join. He saw his role as one of enhancement and embellishment. He didn't necessarily strive to be number one, just to be one of a number that could be counted upon and thus count for something.