Bible Cantillation II

Description

Advanced Cantillation of the Bible II (Esther, Ruth, Lamentations, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes)

Objectives:  To prepare for the examination, the candidate is expected to be able to recognize the text distinguishing it from other liturgical pieces; be able to rapidly adapt to different repertoire; recall the appropriate information (melody) from among many possibilities; focus on the proper melody from among many; assemble the components in his mind; and express the melody with classic interpretation and being able to sing the melodic line within the basic rules of Hebrew grammar, specifically: proper smichut of the words and proper pronunciation.

Instruction:  The proficiency examination process is administered under secure and proctored conditions.

Content covered includes: The music and grammar of the cantillation system concentrating on the Polish-Lithuanian and German tradition and covering the ta’amim of the books of Esther, Ruth, Lamentations, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes. The candidate is expected to read and chant according to the specific musical notation of each book any verse at random and demonstrate awareness of thematic content and its relationship to the melodic nusach. The student is graded using the Julliard vocal performance evaluation form.

This course has a value of 3 lower-level undergraduate credits.