The Ministry of Cantors

Cantors in the Catholic Church have a grave responsibility to lead their congregation in worship and song.

But what else does the position entail? What types of fears, challenges, and joys do cantor’s have when using their gifts for the Church?

This post will outline stories from different music ministers in three different parts of the United States who have been actively participating in their music ministries. I will also include my answers to the questions I have asked them. Are you ready to start reading the responses? Here goes!

How many years have you been a cantor/ in music ministry?

21    -Janice

 

15    -Evelyn

 

Our parish started cantor led responsorial Psalms in the mid-1990’s.   -Anonymous

 

10 or 11 years. I had sung in the church choir since 6th grade, but don’t remember exactly when I sang a Psalm or something by myself.    -Gessica (post author)

 

4 Months   -Dr.Gnana Prakash

What was it like to cantor by yourself for the first time? How did you feel about it?

I was very nervous and wanted to do a good job. I had been singing in choir for 9 years and had never been brave enough to try out. I decided that I needed to give back to my Parish and to God because he gave me my talent.  -Janice

I was very nervous. Even though I had performed many times in front of people growing up, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself, so I was nervous about it.     -Evelyn

I’m sure I was shaky – but glad to do it.   -Anonymous

I was nervous that I would mess up. I loved singing by myself, but was so embarrassed when I said a wrong word or sang a wrong note!    -Gessica

I took it because our Parish wanted us to sing the Responsorial Psalm. Nobody was willing to sing. I just took it because of my love for the Psalms. I thought in the process of singing the responsorial Psalm I would get an opportunity to know by heart the Psalms also.

-Gnana

Has being a cantor/ in music ministry affected you in a positive or negative way?

Positive. It has made me appreciate the Liturgy more and I have learned a lot about liturgy and traditions and what is appropriate and not.  -Janice

Positive.   -Evelyn

I have always been generously blessed by a joy of music, especially during the Mass   -Anonymous

Overall, I would have to say in a positive way. It keeps me close to what’s going on in the Mass and let’s me express my creativity of singing within the tradition-rich literature of Church music.  -Gessica

I love to learn responsorial Psalms. I will be practicing the whole week in my spare time whether it is early in the morning or late in the night, whether I sit quietly or I am travelling. I usually sing aloud when I am travelling alone.    -Gnana

I would like the option of singing with a piano or an organ, like using a Clavinova. I wish more people would try to sing for the parish, or at least ask about helping.    -Gessica

I wish they are careful about choosing the hymns. It should be theme based. They should be careful not to choose Protestant songs, especially during the offertory song.  -Gnana

Singing the beautiful music that the Church uses, getting to emote that personal feeling of the song or Psalm or whatever we are singing.   -Gessica

I am not a trained singer but still the Lord chose me to be in the choir and be a Cantor.   -Gnana

Related Articles

• A Cantor’s Art
• What Is a Cantor in the Catholic Church?
• Cantoring Experiences: My Humble Take
• How to Sing Well At Early Morning Masses
• 7 Surprising Things About Cantoring You Didn’t Know
• Traits That All Cantors Have (Even If You Don’t Know It)
• Roundup of Tips for Cantors
• Devotions for Catholic Musicians
• Our Role As Lay Persons in the Church

What is the worst thing about being a cantor?

When I mess up I feel like I let the congregation and God down.   -Janice

Sometimes I want to be able to sit with my family, and not have to worry about what song is coming up next and if I have my music ready.  -Evelyn

Introducing new music, only because change is hard! A good cantor can certainly help that process.   -Anonymous

The feeling of obligation you get when you are the only person in your parish that sings for a certain Mass time or parish, and you get burnt out from doing it every single week.  -Gessica

Loud music during the Responsorial Psalm.   -Gnana

What advice would you give to someone who might want to start cantoring?

Go ahead and try out. The only thing it may hurt is your ego.   -Janice

If you enjoy singing, I would definitely suggest being a cantor. We are always in need of more voices.  -Evelyn

Be generous and volunteer! We cantor from the balcony, which helps anyone that struggles with being watched!!  -Anonymous

If you love to sing and are willing to learn the beautiful music, you can do it! I guarantee God will bless you for using your voice in the music ministry!  -Gessica

Understand the Psalm . I mean text and context. Read about the Psalm in some commentary. Meditate and sing as though it applies to us today.    -Gnana

Are You A Cantor in Your Parish? Are you interested in music ministry?