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Do you think anything about cantoring can suprise you?
I will admit, when I first began cantoring, I had no idea really of what I was doing. It took me about 3 different cantoring experiences to really get a good idea of my role and responsibilities as a cantor.
I still forget or don’t quite grasp the depth and entirety of the importance of a cantor and the music ministry as a whole.
Hence comes the purchase of Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship*. This comprehensive book from USCCB outlines every best practice and music ministry suggestion there is. In a simple, easy to read way.
Check with your music directors or church library. Your parish might already have some in their library. If not, purchase one here*.
Small Parishes and Resources = Not Surprising
Small parish people who sing out in the middle of nowhere at the one Mass your church has on the weekend, I get you. Growing up in a rural area and going to smaller churches all my life, I totally understand the lack of funds or inability to provide resources like this.
I understand not even knowing about resources like this. But I am telling you now, so it becomes your responsibility to do something about it!
As a former music teacher, I understand tight budgets. I would skimp and save as much as possible on new music that I could, using what was already in the existing library.
Ask your priest because sometimes there is money and scholarships set aside to help the music ministry with certain things. Finding good resources that can benefit everyone might be a good use of that money. Investing in Sing to the Lord* would be a great resource for any parish. Additionally, if you need cantor training, you can check out my extensive online course.
Now that I’ve mentioned this, let’s get to the things you didn’t know, but might want to.
7 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Cantoring
Surprising fact #1: It’s Personal
In section I of Sing to the Lord*, it outlines why we sing. I particularly love how it is phrased:
“A cry from deep within our being, music is a way for God to lead us to the realm of higher things. As St. Augustine says, ‘Singing is for the one who loves’ … In this sense, [music] is very personal.” —STL pg 1
Singing is for the one who loves -St. Augustine Click To Tweet
So beautiful. This means that you can’t just go up there and sing for the sake of singing. You must believe it, feel it in your very being.
I will admit, doing this all the time is a struggle. The book addresses this and recognizes the struggle to always be present in the message of the music.
I hope to get better with this particular struggle, and I hope to help you get better at over time. Being a cantor is personal, and we use our gifts to lead the congregation to a place of higher worship, to show them how to love with singing.
If I sit and think about that concept, it blows my mind. This is definitely something I wish I had realized sooner. We are called to “rise above our own preoccupations.” —STL pg 5
surprising fact #2: It’s Not All Up To You
In fact, not at all. As a cantor, you might be there to help facilitate the music, but you are not the one to be singing solo. The congregation has a grave duty in joining in the song as well.
It is considered of utmost importance to have the assembly show full and active participation. This helps show the true Christian spirit, a sign of the unity and zeal of the body of Christ within the Church.
I personally believe that many parishes are suffering from this lack of participation. Oftentimes, this kills the spirit of music and worship in that church and leaves the music aspect of the Mass something to be desired.
As music ministers, it is our duty to provide the best music and leadership that we can, but we must also remind the congregation of what their role is in the music liturgy.
As music ministers, it is our duty to provide the best music and leadership that we can, but we must also remind the congregation of what their role is in the music liturgy. Click To Tweet
suprising fact #3: Difficult music is ONLY for those who can
The Church warns against using certain types of music. But it also cautions the level of music. Each parish must take into account the experience of their own cantors and choir members, but also the abilities of their congregation.
If you are the cantor and come across a piece that seems difficult for you, yet way too hard for the congregation to pick up easily, it might be one to consider tossing.
I appreciate the beauty of such complex music and most people do, too. It’s just that the parishioners are discouraged from singing if it sounds or looks too hard.
I am not suggesting dumbing down missalettes or songbooks for this reason. I am merely saying that we should take into account what the parishioners feel like they can participate with.
“Familiarity with a stable repertoire of liturgical songs rich in theological content can deepen the faith of the community through repetition and memorization.” —STL pg 9
Of course, pastoral judgment is usually the best way to proceed.
Suprising Fact #4: The Psalmist CAN be different
Growing up in my small churches, it seemed that the cantor was the one who did everything. In high school, I would announce the songs, help the leading of them from the choir loft, sing the Psalm, etc.
I thought the cantor automatically did all of that.
However, you can just be a Psalmist and you can just be a cantor. Or you can be both. I had no idea.
The main job of the Psalmist is to proclaim the Psalm and often the Gospel Acclamation with clarity, conviction, and text sensitivity. (STL pg 11)
A cantor would be responsible for the leading of the rest of the music, then.
The main job of the Psalmist is to proclaim the Psalm and often the Gospel Acclamation with clarity, conviction, and text sensitivity. (Sing to the Lord, pg 11) Click To Tweet
surprising fact #5: Gestures are NOT Necessary
As the congregation gets comfortable with singing along and know what to do and when to do it, gestures become less and less important.
I did sing in a tourist area for a while, and gestures were a great way to help involve everyone, especially if they were visiting. That makes sense to me.
In the parish I am in now, we do not use gestures. It bothered me for a while, but the congregation knows what’s going on for the most part. So it’s unnecessary.
It’s honestly a relief to know this because sometimes I feel super unnatural using gestures to lead the congregation.
Here it is, straight from the pages of Sing to the Lord, “gestures should be used sparingly and only when genuinely needed.” —STL pg 12
While I haven’t seen too many parishes that go overboard with this, I have heard people talk like gestures are the gospel of their music ministry. Just don’t let it become a huge deal within your music ministry.
surprising fact #6: Clothing Matters
I have not particularly seen cantors who dress inappropriately. Most of us know what is acceptable and what isn’t.
But in case you didn’t, clothing that is clean, presentable, and modest is desirable. Women, we have to watch this because of the nature of today’s “fashion” that sometimes is not modestly tasteful.
I recommend some great and modest pieces in my Cantor’s Capsule Wardrobe. Feel free to check it out.
I don’t have as much experience with the men’s clothing, but I think you are doing a great job from what I see. Ladies, too, keep up the good work!
suprising fact #7: We are NOT just Volunteers or Employees
It’s true. No matter what you keep telling yourself, you are way more important than a paycheck or just a person who sings.
A cantor is a disciple of Christ, a minister who shares the faith, serves the community, and demonstrates the love of God and neighbor through song. (STL pg 15)
A cantor is a disciple of Christ, a minister who shares the faith, serves the community, and demonstrates the love of God and neighbor through song (Sing to the Lord) Click To Tweet
How cool is that? I break this very thing down in Our Role as Lay Persons in the Church.
It is a higher calling than being a church singer, a much more important role than what most people realize or let on. So dwell on that aspect a bit and try to appreciate your role as a music minister.
Did These Surprise You?
Did these things take you off guard? They did give me a better perspective, for sure.
After reading Sing to the Lord* once, I feel much more called to my ministry. I feel prepared to do what I considered a “job” before. Having suffered from cantor burn-out more than once, this book was refreshing to read and start to understand certain aspects of being a cantor and music minister in general. I look forward to reading it more than once to deepen my ministry calling.
Pass this info onto your parishes, to your fellow music ministers. Read the book. Take the words to heart and ponder them.
I guarantee your outlook on what a ‘cantor’ really is will change for the better.
Related Posts:
How to Master Cantoring for Beginners
How to Become a Catholic Cantor
Devotions for Catholic Musicians
7 Ways to Reduce Stress as a Cantor
