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November 20, 1998/ 1 Kislev 5759, Vol. 51, No. 9
Solel's music manNew cantorial role caps long tenure of Harry HigginsDANE D'ANTUONO
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 Longtime cantorial soloist Harry Higgins will be honored this weekend for his many years of work at Temple Solel. Photo by Scott Sandler |
"That first song was called 'Little Old Lady.' Little old lady passing by, catching everyone's eye; she would make a charming picture in her lavender and lace," sings Higgins, the first cantorial soloist emeritus (retired) at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley.
It's been a long time since that boy sat by his grandmother at the player piano, in a room full of piano rolls, and enthusiastically pumped the pedals while learning to read music and sing along.
Now he's being honored at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, at Temple Solel for the inspiration he has brought from the bimah (synagogue platform) with a night of Cabaret.
"Of this I am certain: the sweetest prayers come from the lips of one whose Kavana, spiritual integrity, is equal to his or her artistry," Solel's Rabbi Maynard Bell says of Higgins in the Pathfinder, a temple publication.
Higgins began singing with his grandmother at her resident hotel while living with his family in Memphis, Tenn. Following in the multi-talented footsteps of his grandmother, Addie Victoria Davis, who herself could play six different string instruments in addition to singing, Harry pursued a life of music.
As a child he would go downtown to the business district, to the big theaters, to be a part of the musical presentations.
At age 10, Harry's music teacher at Bruce Elementary picked him out and referred him to the minister at Bellevue Baptist Church to fill a position needed as a boy soprano. That was the beginning of what he calls his "sanctuary singer" career.
While in college, as much as he loved music, Harry realized that he needed to do something to bring in steady wages. So he decided to study urban planning.
In college, he started a three-year term in the Army, starting as a drummer in the band unit of the reserves and finishing as a sergeant first class. In 1956, he got out of the service and went to work for Memphis-Shelby County's planning commission.While working there, he obtained a master's degree in urban and regional planning at the University of Tennessee.
But the musical beat still pumped in his veins.
"I would finish my regular job at 5 (p.m.), drive to Dooneys or Papys (fellow band musicians' homes), load the car, drive 200 to 250 miles to some small place, and play (drums) for hours," Higgins says, adding, "Then I'd drive back, shave, shower and go to work."
In 1962, the City of Tempe recruited Higgins to organize the planning department. Now he works for the City of Scottsdale's office of planning.
Upon moving to the Valley, he joined the Phoenix Little Theater and met the second love of his life, then-Andrea Jill O'Brand.
"The music director announced to the cast of 'Paint Your Wagon' there would be a new rehearsal piano player coming and her name was Jill," says Higgins. "When I saw her, it was love at first sight."
They were married within a year-and-a-half, on Nov. 18, 1976. Shortly afterward, he converted to Judaism, and they joined what was then the "itty bitty" congregation of Temple Solel. Jill was named music director after a year, and Harry sang in the choir.
"At the time, the cantorial soloist lost his voice and had to resign," says Higgins. "Rabbi Bell asked me if I would mind doing it until they could get an ordained soloist."
Thus began the longtime roles Harry and Jill would play in the congregation's worship services. She is director of music and the resident composer of Jewish liturgical music. He has been the stand-in cantor for nearly 20 years.
"What began as a temporary assignment turned into an 18-year commitment to the temple," Rabbi Bell says. "He took the position very seriously. He learned to read Hebrew."
Despite all the preparation and training he had as a member of the Memphis Symphony and the Memphis Concert Orchestra as a percussionist, Harry still insists on giving credit for the development of his singing talents to his wife and rabbi.
"He, along with Jill, touched a lot of people," Rabbi Bell says. "He's an important part of the spiritual memories of the congregation."
Susan Guzman, who sang next to Harry for 10 years, says, "He was extremely dedicated all those years. He would study the prayers and knew what they meant."
The group sang in Hebrew, and Guzman admits many of the members would sing without really knowing all the meanings of the prayer words. But not Harry, she says. "He always put a lot of emotion and feeling into it. He would move the audience. You would see the pain or happiness on his face as he sang the prayers."
In their positions, Harry and Jill would offer their musical talents at life-cycle events. "When my own daughter was bat-mitvahed, Harry sang," Guzman says. "It added so much to the mitzvah itself.
"To me music is the link between us and God above," the fellow singer says. "And he helped create that link."
Harry stepped down from the position to allow Cantor Julie Berlin (wife of Rabbi Alan Berlin) to come on board. Harry's new role as cultural director now begins.
"I've retired from cantorial soloist, but I haven't retired from singing," Higgins says, laughing. "I'm Cantor Berlin's backup singer."