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Why Do We need to know about best practices?

As many Catholic cantors as there are in the world, it is my inclination that only a few really know about best practices. While I have been a cantor for nearly 10 years, many others have been for a lot longer and therefore have a better grasp of what works. Thank goodness for these wiser people, that they may pass along some best practices to us!

If you are just beginning out as a cantor and are a little confused about how to do things, as well as how to prepare, be confident, or other concerns, keep reading. I will break down best practices for cantors as much as possible.

Why is it important as a cantor?

A cantor has a special role in the part of a Mass, just as a reader or server would. With or without a choir, we help facilitate the worship part of the Mass with Mass music, hymns, and oftentimes, the recanting of the Psalms.

We help lead the congregation in song, invite them to sing in worship and praise of God. We point them to the beauty of the Eucharist.

Trust me, I have never had any formal training or guidance when it comes to being a cantor. I had to learn over the years and learn little by little. It would have been a big help to me as a cantor to learn it up front so I knew what was expected of me.

Therefore, you can see how big a responsibility it is to know about best practices. How important is it to know what works best. Here are some of the best practices that have worked and continue to work in churches all over the country.

Best practices for Cantors

Most of these ideas have been gleaned from the Sing to the Lord (affiliate link) that outlines the music ministry and it’s roles, as well as from others who have given me practical ways to be best prepared. So here goes….

Practice 1: Be Prepared for the Music

Come up with a system that prepares you for singing the music. Whether that be practicing all the songs and the Psalm before Mass, the week before, do it. It may be with or without an accompanist, depending on what your skill level and what you feel comfortable doing.

Tips for being musically prepared: 

• Write down your order of practice. It might be your practice/review the hymns, then the Mass music, and then focus most of your energy on the Psalm
• If your parish has a set time to practice during the week, do your best to attend.
• If you can play and have a keyboard/piano at home, work out the hymns and Psalms that way, and practice during the week.
• Warm-up before singing during the week and also before Mass
• Use the Psalm Prep Worksheet to be ready for singing the Psalm with understanding and spirituality

In my parish, we only go over some of the challenging things right before Mass. The organist will play it for the cantor/choir to hear. That is the extent to which we practice. However, we also sing very familiar hymns most Sundays, and both cantors have sung long enough to remember the majority of the Psalms. So, only a light refresher is usually needed.

Practice 2: Be Prepared with the right materials

Do you have everything you need to feel prepared and ready to go during Mass? I find that if I have forgotten a water bottle with room-temperature water, it is hard for me to focus and feel like my voice is hydrated and performing well.

To help with this, I created a list of things that cantors need during Mass. You may adjust the list any way you like, but I have found that if I have the right materials and am equipped with these materials, I am more comfortable with embracing my role as a cantor.

Some items I like to have: 

• Chap-stick
• Sticky notes or tabs*
• Water bottle
• Pencil for making notes
• Song list in front of me

Make a list of your necessary items, then post a sticky note by your Mass music or items so you don’t forget them.

Practice 3: Be Spiritually Prepared

Do you read the readings before Mass? Are you familiar with the context of the Psalm? Again, my guess is that the majority of you are not. I will be honest, I am not most weeks either. It is a hard but necessary practice. It takes consistent effort and an understanding of the importance of this practice to really do this.

Some easy ways to be spiritually prepared:

• Use the Living Liturgy for Music Ministers (the 2020 edition is available now!) to prepare your heart and mind for the readings and Psalms
• Pray over the Psalm, over the music, ask the Lord to inspire you and lead others to worship
• Pray before Mass that your gifts may help others see the beauty of God or experience the Mass in a new way
• Carry a sacramental (like wearing a *Miraculous medal or carrying a Rosary in your pocket) while you are leading as a reminder of all that we give thanks for!

Pick one or two of these ideas and implement them into your weekly Mass prep.

Practice 4: Be appropriately dressed

This can become an issue. It is in the best interest of the cantor to be appropriately dressed. The parish will appreciate this as well. Even if you are not near the front leading the congregation, dressing well also helps with your confidence.

Tips for dressing your best:

• Modest, business casual attire is best practice as a cantor.
• It is good to be comfortable, but try to avoid low-cut blouses, short skirts, or high-heeled shoes to cause distraction or discomfort as a cantor.
• Men, I would advise not wearing shorts, t-shirts, or sandals.
• Use the Cantor’s Capsule Wardrobe to help you decide what is appropriate

When in doubt, ask yourself if you would show up at an office job dressed like that. If the answer is no, go change. How you present yourself greatly affects your performance as well as your authority as a music leader.

Practice 5: Use the best body language

What does having the best body language look like? Using the appropriate gestures to help the congregation join in singing. Invite them with your body language, so to speak.

Easy ways to invite the congregation to sing with you:

• Make eye contact
• Look out towards the congregation (if you are in front)
• Stand towards them as much as possible
• Stand tall and confidently (even if you aren’t, you might have to fake it until you make it)
• Use entrance gestures only if necessary (did you know that’s not required?)
• When you invite them to sing, do it with confidence and pleasantness.

In most cases, showing somebody how to do something instead of telling them works much better. We have to show the congregation what joining in looks like. What it feels like. Do your best. Your job is to get the parish people to sing.

Practice 6: Point to the Eucharist

No, not literally. You know what I mean.

Guide people to the summit of our faith with your gentle invitations to sing, with your humble approach to leading them, and with your own reverent attitude. The congregation can catch on pretty quick if you are not there for the right reasons.

Questions to ask yourself when you are leading others:

• Do you sing right up in the microphone?
• Do you try to scoop and manipulate the songs so they sound like you?
• How often do you sing just to hear compliments from others about how good you sound?
• Can you honestly say you are more worried about how you sound than how the congregation is singing?

These might be some indicators that your heart is not in the right place. The role of a cantor or a song leader is not a SOLO, but rather to lead others in worship. It doesn’t matter if your voice is sub-par or professionally trained, if you don’t lead others to Jesus, your intentions are misplaced.

Look into your heart and review your actions. Are you really pointing towards the Eucharist as a cantor?

Practice 7: Always Keep Learning!

This is important for anyone who is a cantor. You cannot expect to know everything up front, and you certainly cannot call yourself advanced after one Mass. 

It takes many years and many experiences of singing at Mass and different types of Masses to reach this level. Which is great, because it gives you lots of practice time! You may want to put yourself on a list to sing for weddings and funerals, too, to diversify your repertoire and music skills. 

Commit to learning a little more each year in your cantor role, and you will be using best practices to continue your ministry with grace, skill, and confidence!

Some Resources for Learning:

• Check out my Diction Guide for Cantors!
• 5 Ways to Get Better at Singing Every Day might be a good one for you to check out, too!
• 3 Steps to Becoming a Master Cantor is really helpful, too!
• Catholic Cantor Training: The Basics

Practices to Live By As Cantors

These are best practices for cantors. That you are physically, spiritually, and mentally prepared for each Mass. That you know how to present yourself as a cantor. And most of all, knowing how to point others to the source and summit of our faith, as well as inviting them into the mystery and beauty of the Mass and its music.

As a cantor at your parish, take a look at these best practices. If you are lacking in some of these areas, it’s time to improve and get better at these.

I created a training course designed just for cantors. It will include best practices, shown in a way that can help every cantor feel more confident and prepared as a minister of music.

Sound like something you could use? If so, please join the wait-list for updates on how the course is coming along. I will let you know exactly when it will be launching!

In the meantime, please let me know where you could use more training, resources, or help on. I would be honored to add it in my course. 

What best practices do you recommend for song leaders and cantors?