This post may contain affiliate links. I only promote products I use and love.

What makes a cantor have certain traits? Some of them are learned, but most of them come naturally.

I feel cantors are responsible for a lot. Mostly because some churches are not big enough for a choir, or because their parish needed a leader to help with music participation. Or perhaps they help with leading the choir and the congregation.

Whatever the reason, we are required to fill many shoes and display our talents to our Lord and to our congregation.

Desirable and Commendable Traits of Church Musicians

Of all good traits, I have observed the following in many cantors and church musicians. I’m sure I will continue to admire these traits in the servants in our parishes.

Courage

It takes tremendous courage to sing into a microphone, sing by yourself, and often, sing in front of an entire congregation. The role of a cantor is not for show or for oneself. However, it is still easy to get self-conscious about being a person that others look to for musical guidance.

There are many shy people I know that make brilliant and humble cantors. They have the courage to put themselves in a position where their courage is evident to all around them.

Trust me, there are many people who wish they had the courage to stand in front of others and visibly lead, speak, and/or sing.

Love of Music

This may be obvious, but I feel most people don’t get into a position of providing music if they don’t love it. There is something about music that drives us musicians, the very beat of it that gets to our soul.

We instantly connect with text and melody in ways that others might not. I include myself since music and choir and harmonies are divine to me. Add praising our Creator on top of that, and that’s the icing on the cake.

I think we naturally find ourselves in this position.

Love of the Lord

If we love to sing music to the Lord, it translates as loving the Lord. Having the heart to serve in the Church also shows a love for our Lord.

I also believe that musicians are more open to other ministries as well. since we already serve the Church. Often we are challenged to serve in other ways that don’t come as easy to us.

On the other hand, we can always give all of our talents in just the music ministry because of time constraints.

I am currently experiencing this since I have little ones at home that need my attention a lot. It forces me to embrace my next trait, flexibility.

Flexibility

If it’s one thing a church musicians must be, it is flexible.

Many things change last minute before the Mass. Most of those changes affect the music ministry’s part. Whether it’s adding a blessing song, taking away the extra Communion song, or what have you.

It happens all the time at our small parish, mostly because we don’t all have contact with Father all week to know what is planned. Plus, he might change something from parish to parish, too. Sometimes even the organists don’t know what’s going on.

Flexibility is a must-have trait for all church musicians.

Willingness

I love this trait for the reason that I see it happen all around me in any church ministry.

We have this willingness to go above and beyond. Not only for our Lord, but for the sake of music, for the sake of beauty, and for the sake of a well-rounded Mass. Am I right?

If we are willing to do things to create a beautiful worship experience for others, imagine what else we can do. Change a small part of the world for somebody, be a light to many, you name it. This could include being inside or outside the Church doors.

Go and spread the Gospel with joy! It does most definitely takes a willing heart to do so.

Cantor Traits that all cantors have, whether we know it or not.

What Cantor Traits Can You Think Of?

This is not a comprehensive list, but rather a short list of traits that I see displayed frequently. Each cantor and church musician and organist has their particular strengths and weaknesses.

Diversity in that is necessary and wonderful.

The diversity within music in the Church is something to be embraced. I think that we naturally possess the aforementioned traits: love of the Lord, love of music, willingness, courage, and flexibility.

What traits have you observed in Church musicians that are commendable? Comment below!