Dear Matzav.com,
As a musician who has played at our chasunos for many years, I want to say that I was gratified to see the letter from rabbonim regarding the spirit of the music at our chasunos. I have been an advocate for a long time for bringing the right taam back into wedding music.
However, I want to say the following.
Firstly, the large majority of weddings I have played at are beautiful and Yiddish. Ironically, it’s at some of the more “with-it” chassidishe weddings that I find more of the disco style music. But whatever the case, let’s remember that the majority of our chasunos are really beautiful.
Secondly, the issue of style and volume are two different things. People have been complaining about the volume of music since anyone can remember. It’s nothing new. When Shelley Lang was playing in the ‘80s, people said it was too loud. When Shabsi Parnes and CM Schwartz played, people said it was too loud. Today, people say it is too loud. It’s nothing new. And it can be Yiddish and still be loud. They’re not a contradiction.
And finally, Matzav.com, don’t shoot the messenger. I’ve already had someone tell me that the rabbonim’s letter about wedding music is our – the musicians’ – fault. I’ve had people come over to me at weddings and scream at me, saying it’s our fault. Please stop it. If you feel that people are involved in too much eating and gashmiyus, do you go into restaurants and take-outs and yell at the owner? No. So don’t yell at us. We’re only service providers.
May we continue to bring simcha to others and celebrate the establishment of many more botim ne’emanim b’Yisroel.
Sincerely,
A chasunah musician
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