How to Master Cantoring for Beginners

Beginners Start Here! How to become a Master Cantor

If you are a beginner or want to be one, this is the best place to start! There are many different skills, responsibilities, and questions to ponder before you become a cantor.

And if you are an amateur or intermediate cantor, hold tight.

This post is for you, too.

Being a cantor and a good one takes time; learning new skills, improving yourself, and being flexible in the role.

The actual definition of a cantor is “song leader”. This is accurately portrayed in many Catholic churches across the world where one singer (with or without a choir) helps facilitate the worship and leads the congregation in responding with song.

For more in-depth articles on what a cantor is, please read What is a Cantor?,  A Cantor’s Ministry and A Cantor’s Art. 

If you are looking for a short guide with a little bit of info about each subject, you can sign up for a FREE quick-start guide.

Why Do I Want to Master Cantoring?

This is a great question. Why do you want to become the best cantor you can be?

It might be a good question to ask yourself before you begin this entire process. As for me, it is hard to commit to something and then not see it through. And also in my experience, the more you do something and learn how to do it better, the more enjoyable that role becomes. The more you know, the more you can get from it, so to speak.

Some other reasons you might want to become a master at cantoring:

• Increase your skill-set
• Be able to eventually teach others the role
• Learn more difficult songs
• Become a better leader in your congregation
• Experience the Mass through music in a deeper way
• Inspire and encourage others through your gift of singing
• Give glory to God by becoming the best cantor you can be

Whatever your reason, it should be one that improves who you are and how you cantor. No matter where you are in your cantor journey, you can become a master at it. The steps and ways I outline next can be a vital part of your formation as a cantor.

Cantor Training Steps to Become a Master

Step 1 – Learn More about Cantoring

The first question that usually pops up is, “How do I become a cantor?”. In most parishes, this is pretty easy if you already possess the singing and leading skills. However, go through these considerations before you commit to becoming a cantor.

• Express interest to the choir director/priest/music ministry people.
• Can you sing with confidence? Or are you scared to sing in front of others? 
• See if you can come to a practice, sing for the director, or work one-on-one with the pianist.
• This step really depends on the parish you are in, as each parish tends to do things a bit differently.
• Consider the pros and cons, and also pray seriously about becoming a cantor. (download a pros/cons printable here)
• Research by seeing or asking others how they like it, how it works, etc. I feature cantors like Robert.
• Test your interest level by participating in choir practice, a few Masses as a choir member, or with some private training sessions.

Resources for step 1:

• Get the Quick-Start Cantoring Guide!
• Read this helpful guideline booklet for Catholic cantors
• Pray for guidance and humbleness as a good cantor
• Decide if you have the traits that many cantors have
• Start reading up on the cantor role with quality books

Step 2 – Become a Well-Rounded Cantor

To increase your skill-set and experience, you must be willing to become a well-rounded cantor. This is the biggest step (and steepest learning curve) and includes several different areas.

Well-Rounded Cantor Traits Include:

• vocal skills
• diction skills
• leading skills
• spirituality
• knowledge of the Mass and music
• awareness of the meanings of texts
• respect for the Eucharist
• an overall goal of excellence

Let me outline these below:

• Vocal skills
  • Read music or have a really great ear and pick up on rhythms, melodies, and feel quickly
  • Understand basic markings on music, such as p for piano (soft), f for forte (loud), breath marks ( ‘ ), tempo markings, key changes, and repeat/al fine signs
  • Have a strong, clear voice, ability to sing softly and loudly, and a decent range (or learn how to increase your range with exercises)
• Diction skills
  • Know how to pronounce Latin text — see this video playlist I made up for help!
  • Understand that English is sung differently than it is spoken
  • Practice singing with tall, well-rounded vowels and crisp consonants
  • Read The Cantor’s Guide to Clear Diction post
• Leading skills
  • Figure out how to best encourage congregation participation – gestures, eye-contact, or spoken word
  • Have a welcoming demeanor, in the face, body language, and attitude
• Spirituality/Text Awareness
  • You are responsive to the Holy Spirit within and through the music
  • Sing the songs, Psalms, and chants with a sensitivity and attention to the message, the special words, and phrases, etc
  • Recognize the power of the words that you are singing
  • Use the FREE Spiritual Prep Guide for help
• Knowledge of the Mass/Respect for the Eucharist
  • Understand the role of music as a part of the liturgy
  • Participate in Mass as a Catholic with a desire to live a holy Christian life
  • Respect the Mass and the central theme of the Eucharist over the music
• Musical Excellence
  • Sing the songs given to you to the best of your ability
  • Make the music as true to the composer’s intentions as possible
  • Apply your vocal skills to the music in the best way possible

Tips for Step 2: 

• Go to training assuming you know nothing so you can learn a lot
• Ask questions when you can to clarify and make sure you are being appropriate
• Always want to learn more about your role as a cantor, but also understand that it takes time, effort, and oftentimes money
• Consider investing in Catholic Cantor Training: The Basics  or the Ebook (it covers several of the areas listed above)
• Do not downplay experience; oftentimes, simply just doing it and doing it consistently is the best teacher of all
• Learn from your mistakes, but also know that you can still make mistakes as a veteran cantor, and be ok with that

NOTE: Get the Ebook + Course Cantor Training Bundle for the best deal!

Step 3 – Master Cantoring

To become as good as you can be, continually seeking to improve your vocal skills, your cantor skills, your spirituality as a minister, and your outlook on your role as a cantor. This is most desirable for anyone who wishes to become a master cantor.

In addition, you may wish to seek further education from institutions or online to help you reach your goals of becoming a master cantor.

Some of my recommendations include:

• Work your way up to become a Cantor Trainer with National Pastoral Musicians Cantor Certificates.
• See if the Cantor Coach can help you with a workshop in your church
• Commit to reading up on your cantor role. I suggest starting with Sing to the Lord and The Parish Cantor (affiliate links)
• Find advanced Psalm training – these trainings are good for that
• Embrace and become the best layperson first.
• Continue to improve your singing skills.
• Online Liturgy Trainings are also provided by NPM to help those involved in the liturgy to be appropriate and mindful in their roles.
• Look into local colleges for vocal lessons, music or conducting classes to expand your knowledge (if you are willing to spend a lot of money)

You may not need to do all of these things, just pick a few and use those to facilitate learning. If you feel you are lacking in one of the areas mentioned in Step 2, go back and re-evaluate and find training or help in those areas.

You Can Master Cantoring

No matter your age, gender, or skill level, anyone can become a master cantor. Yes, it will take considerable time to improve and learn, but it is a wonderful goal to strive towards.

As an intermediate cantor myself, I have much to learn. I have learned a lot over 11+ years of cantoring, but I can always be getting better. I can always dive deeper into the Mass and the music with an open heart.

With the tips, suggestions, steps, and resources outlined in this post, I hope that you can see the path to becoming a master in your role. Nobody said it was going to be easy, but I guarantee you it will be worth it.

What is your reason for wanting to become a Master at cantoring in the Catholic Church? Comment below.