This week, we're beginning a special four-part series leading up to Pesach, highlighting music from the Seder Nights and the Passover Synagogue Services.

The word "Seder" actually means "order," so it is traditional to begin the Seder by reading out the list of the various steps that will be taken in the course of the evening: Kadeish, Urchatz and so on.

It can be difficult to get everyone's attention in order to begin the Seder. Singing the sequence of the steps of the Seder before reciting the Kiddush (which immediately follows) can be an effective way of focusing everyone's attention and getting the evening started.

Here are two melodies, both quite simple, the first being the most well-known:

Finally, enjoy the following version of Kadeish Urchatz by Meir Finkelstein, sung by our Youth Choir at last year's concert "Matzah Do About Nothing", held on March 15, 2009:

Lastly this week, the Kiddush, sung in the traditional Festival mode, which is also used for Shavuot and Sukkot.

Note that the melody which most people sing for the words "Ki vanu vacharta" (by Louis Lewandowski) is not used here, as it is only sung on Shabbat. By not using it  on Yom Tov, one can help preserve the special flavour of the holiday, rather than introducing the familiar sound of the weekly Friday Night Kiddush.