Increasingly, America s choral directors are interested in multiculturalism, but that interest is sparked by a variety of incentives. In recent years the hegemony of this repertoire has come under fire. Jews and Moslems have expressed concern about the effect on their children of constant exposure to Christian liturgy. Occasionally the results are disastrous. This misguided attempt at political correctness ends up censoring some of Western civilization s greatest works of art.
Most actors leave their characters behind when they remove their costumes and make-up.
Now, I would make a distinction between singing Handel s Messiah and singing Christmas carols. Some of the greatest music has been inspired by themes of the Christmas season. Chanukkah, by contrast, is a minor holiday. But music publishers, sensing a market, have flooded us with a deluge of inane dreydel songs. The contrast of the highest art of one religion and the worst kitsch of the other is, frankly, embarrassing.