Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau issued a psak regarding the phenomenon of bring musical instruments and livening up the selichot.
Rav Lau was asked if it is allowed to conduct the selichot services accompanied by musical instruments.
According to Kikar, Rav Lau referred to the historical basis for banning musical selichot. Rav Lau said it is a fairly new phenomenon nd preferably people should continue the tradition of the nusach that was accepted for many generations, but if someone feels the musical accompaniment adds to their inspiration and meaningful prayer, then it should not be prevented.
The original reason why musical accompaniment was banned was to reject the Reform who brought musical instruments into the services having copied the style form the Churches. There were some places and some circumstances where it was allowed, such as during the week rather than on Shabbos and holidays, or at Kabbalat Shabbat, if davened early enough.
Rav Lau says that because today it is already common to have selichot services with guitars and violins, it cant be said that it is taken from the goyim. An organ would still be prohibited because of chukas hagoyim, but guitars and other such instruments would be ok.
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