Guild of Temple Musicians

An Affiliate of the American Conference of Cantors

Mission Statement

"To enhance the knowledge and expertise of GTM members

through continuing education in the field of Jewish Music."

To provide education about Jewish liturgical music for GTM members, utilizing the expertise of experienced scholars and musicians, including ACC cantors and faculty of the Hebrew Union College --Jewish Institute of Religion:

through summer and mid-winter conventions

through educational programs sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism

through the Guild's newsletter K'lei Shir

through the Guild's listserve and the President's Email letters.

To promote Jewish liturgical and non-liturgical music of quality and craft:

Serious music of depth and substance for use in service and concert, including settings for solo voice, choirs and instruments.

cantillation of Torah and Haftarah

nusach ha-tefillah and worship music based upon it.

To encourage young Jewish composers to write music of Jewish content for worship and concert.

To encourage older, experienced composers not already engaged in writing Jewish music to do so.

To promote Jewish music, serve the wider Jewish community and support the profession of the cantorate in its quests for excellence.

To encourage GTM's Cantorial Soloists to seek investiture or certification, where possible.

To provide support for GTM synagogue musicians via:

periodic salary surveys

sample contracts

opportunities for networking with other synagogue musicians

periodic announcements of employment opportunities for GTM members via the listserve

To encourage study of Judaica and the Hebrew language.

Prepared by: Ben Steinberg, GTM President and John Planer, GTM Immediate Past President and approved by the GTM Board of Directors at its Mid-winter Conference in Long Beach, California, on Feb. 15, 2004.