Disclaimer: Some of the opinions and information expressed in this article are based solely on my experience as a cantor in several different parishes. These will not be the experiences of everyone nor will the circumstances be true for every parish. Such opinions should be taken lightly. Thank you for understanding.

A cantor in the Catholic Church is a single person or persons within a parish who act(s) as a music leader, Psalm verse singer, and a general facilitator of the congregation’s worship experience.

Let’s break down several aspects of what being a cantor might look like.

Catholic Cantor Guidelines

Each parish in the Catholic Church, all over the world, has their own specific guidelines on the duties of a cantor. This includes aspects such as:

• Best practices
• The primary role of the cantor
• Other outlined duties

The Church also dictates some guidelines for music during the liturgy, which we will cover in length later.

These aspects naturally vary per parish size, music resources, and funds available.

Best Practices

The Church is quite detailed when it comes to outlining the best practices of the lay music ministry.

In 1967, the Second Vactican Ecumenical Council outlined general norms and ideas of the music ministry. I am going to quote (source) and summarize a few of these key points from Musicam Sacram (MS) throughout this article.  

5. Liturgical worship is given a more noble form when it is celebrated in song, with the ministers of each degree fulfilling their ministry and the people participating in it.[4]

This practice is quite straight-forward. If at all possible, churches should provide music during Mass by trained music ministers to encourage the congregation’s participation.

6. The proper arrangement of a liturgical celebration requires the due assignment and performance of certain functions, by which “each person, minister or layman, should carry out all and only those parts which pertain to his office by the nature of the rite and the norms of the liturgy.”[5] This also demands that the meaning and proper nature of each part and of each song be carefully observed. To attain this, those parts especially should be sung which by their very nature require to be sung, using the kind and form of music which is proper to their character. (MS)

Each role in the music ministry should have a function and clearly fulfill that role. It also means to consider each song selection for its tone, affect, mood, and proper setting.

Furthermore, the most important aspect of any music ministry is remembering the role of the liturgy and the Eucharist. Namely, those elements come first and are the more important part of the Mass. While thoughtful music selection aids in the experience of Mass, it certainly is not the main event.

Primary Role of the Cantor

The overall goal of the cantor is to guide the congregation in worship. Oftentimes, this includes leading the choir members as well.

The secondary goal is to be a good example of worshiping through song. Especially during the singing of the Psalms, a cantor should remain prayerful and dedicated to delivering the liturgy properly.

Its duty is, in effect, to ensure the proper performance of the parts which belong to it, according to the different kinds of music sung, and to encourage the active participation of the faithful in the singing. (MS)

This passage does refer to the choir in a church. Since a lot of churches do not have enough people to form choirs, this could also refer to the primary role of the cantor.

In the event that there is not a choir:

21. Provision should be made for at least one or two properly trained singers, especially where there is no possibility of setting up even a small choir. The singer will present some simpler musical settings, with the people taking part, and can lead and support the faithful as far as is needed. The presence of such a singer is desirable even in churches which have a choir, for those celebrations in which the choir cannot take part but which may fittingly be performed with some solemnity and therefore with singing.(MS)

Even though the Church prefers the music liturgy with a choir, a cantor is still preferred as a primary song leader in the liturgy.

Further resource: Cantor guidelines from the Diocese of Lansing. View PDF.

Other Outlined Duties

Other duties of being a cantor might include but are not limited to:

• Copying/Distributing music (within the legal bounds of the parish)
• Assisting and singing in the choir
• Reading announcements during Mass if the choir is placed at the front of the church
• Preparing the congregation for the selection by announcing the songs
• Placing the song numbers on display for the entire congregation to see
• Turning pages for the organist or pianist
• Assisting in the selection of music for Mass

These are definitely not universal and vary depending on the parish and the needs in their music ministry.

However, they are tasks to be aware of or even expect.

For further reading, check out 5 Expectations as a Cantor and Our Role as Laypersons in the Church.

Catholic Cantor Training

Most Catholic parishes do not require extensive training in order to become a cantor.

Those parishes on a larger budget can hire or compensate cantors to sing for their weekend or weekday Masses.

A multitude of medium and large parishes can also require cantors to take professional voice lessons, attend workshops and choir practices, and take part in natural training opportunities.

This includes singing at funerals and weddings, attending National Pastoral Musicians Conferences or other liturgy-based conferences, or shadowing a skilled cantor to learn the skills necessary to serve the parish as a proper minister of music.

Oftentimes, those parishes offer training to learn the basics of what needs to be taught. I mentioned types of practices cantors should know earlier in the article.

Smaller parishes usually run on volunteer cantors. No compensation is given, but often rewarding them with gift cards, outings, or meals to show appreciation for their service is customary.

Unfortunately, these smaller parishes often lack in providing training and acquiring skilled cantors for the music ministry. The Spiritual Cantor is creating a cantor training course, and it will be available for purchase soon. If this is something you need, please join the waitlist.

Cantor Skills

According to the Musicam Sacram, no matter what skill or level a cantor might be, the music should be adjusted to fit the needs of the cantor.

9. In selecting the kind of sacred music to be used, whether it be for the choir or for the people, the capacities of those who are to sing the music must be taken into account. (MS)

Of course, you also must take into account the needs of the pastor and congregation.

In addition to singing, preparation must be made for the music ministers to be trained in other ways.

24. Besides musical formation, suitable liturgical and spiritual formation must also be given to the members of the choir, in such a way that the proper performance of their liturgical role will not only enhance the beauty of the celebration and be an excellent example for the faithful, but will bring spiritual benefit to the choir-members themselves. (MS)

It is very important that these aspects not be overlooked. Ignoring these aspects could aid in the formation of a poor leader as a cantor or poor choir members who are not fully aware of their role in the liturgy.

Catholic Cantor Singing

It is desirable that the cantor leading the congregation has at least proficient vocal skills.  When a cantor feels comfortable with that aspect of the role, any additional aspects do not seem as daunting.  All other skills needed are easily taught.

An understanding of the theory of music and the complexities of some Church music should also be necessary to fulfill the role with ease.

This is not to say that someone should be denied the position because of lack of vocal training. There are many artists that lack formal training, and yet sing well enough to craft quality music.

A lot of singers sing “by ear”, which means that they learn better singing by rote and repetition. Once that singer has heard and practiced it, it is easy for them to sing it back correctly. The only downfall to that method is that the rote singer must be taught the song correctly in order to relay it correctly.

Also be aware that most congregations learn the songs by ear. If they are taught incorrectly, then the integrity of that particular hymn or Mass setting are not sung to its highest potential.

How To Be A Well-Versed Cantor

It takes several years to function as a veteran singer. Not that it’s a set timeline, but practice, consistency, and willingness are all factors.

It’s important to continue training and improving your singing skills, as well as keep up to date on new Mass settings. Many parishes repeat certain music during Christmas and Easter, and knowing those songs well might also be a testament to years of service.

To be consistent as a cantor, one must be consistent in their attendance to Mass and also as a music leader during Mass to learn the ins and outs of the role. 

A cantor must also be willing to follow the guidelines set for them from the Church, the other music ministers, and by general best practices. Maintaining harmony with such will aid in an experienced and humble servant of the music ministry.

Flexibility is another great skill to have as a cantor. Even as a cantor off and on in my years of singing, there are always last minute and slight changes to deal with. Sometimes I sang without an organist, at other times we changed a song right before Mass. Whatever is presented as a challenge is much easier to solve when the years of experience have risen. 

For further reading, check out Traits Cantors Have (Even if They Don’t Know It)

Catholic Cantor Music

What is Music in the Church called?

Music in the Church goes by several different names. The most used are hymns, songs, psalms, Mass settings, and acclamations.

Page 3 of this PDF explains other types of music used during Mass.

Any type within those categories is appropriate to be used for Mass around the world in various Catholic Churches.

I personally have experienced music from a range of simple chant to polyphony to praise and worship music with varying instruments. I have sung in large choirs, small choirs, duets, and solo. 

However, the Church puts downs some guidelines on what is the most appropriate for Mass.

Catholic Liturgical Music Guidelines

According to the Church, music must fit into three different criterion in order to be acceptable during Mass.

1. Liturgically, it must be holy–To be holy, the music must serve the spirit and norms of the liturgy and the faith it expresses.

2. Musically, it must be beautiful– Much of the beauty of liturgical music is in its apt suitability to liturgical prayer.

3. Pastorally, it must be universal–The music must be suited to the particular assembly while respecting the need for a universal appeal

(source, PDF)

That seems quite simple when you look at it that way. Underneath these three categories, there are nearly innumerable options when selecting Mass music.

The music ministry is encouraged to embrace different styles, and not stick to one or two styles that they prefer. This rule is added for the sake of the liturgy and the congregation to experience those different styles of music. It could be very applicable to a cultural mecca of many different ethnicities within the Church, or a similar situation. 

These hymns can include:

• a cappella numbers
• singing with piano or organ
• traditional hymns
• contemporary hymns
• chant.

Most times, I have found that music is regional. Whatever is used most in Masses in the Midwest you will find in other parishes in the Midwest.

I have not been to many west coast or east coast parishes, or even that many worldwide, but some song selections will be more universal than others.

Remember holy, beautiful, and universal for the music guidelines of the Church.

Appropriate Mass Music

No kind of sacred music is prohibited from liturgical actions by the Church as long as it corresponds to the spirit of the liturgical celebration itself and the nature of its individual parts,[7] and does not hinder the active participation of the people.[8] (MS)

As long as it adds to the celebration of the Eucharist in a positive way, any hymn that is approved can be sung.  

Churches with a large or small choir can utilize a cantor for the Psalm recitative or any other music it chooses.

As far as instrumentation, piano, organ, and guitar are the most used. Other parishes utilize flutes, piccolos, violins, or cellos to enhance the worship experience of their selections.

This provides appropriate and again, beautiful Mass music for those attending. This makes it easier for everyone to appreciate the aesthetic of the rich musical traditions of the Church.

Most Important Mass Music

I am again going to point you back to this excellent music guide that the Diocese of Wollongong has put together.

This particular table emphasizes the most important parts of the Mass music and the least important. Gives a different perspective on what most might think is important within the music liturgy.

Notice that the Mass Settings, like the Holy, Holy, Great Amen, and the Gospel Acclamation are the highest proclamations a singer will make during Mass. That music is the most important to get right, to sing reverently, and to meditate upon its meaning.

In Conclusion

The details and roles of what exactly a Catholic cantor does are many. I have outlined several aspects of the ministry, including guidelines, training, and preferred music to be sung.

The ultimate goal of a cantor is to bring glory to God within the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the Catholic faith, and most ardently the focus of the Mass.

No music or cantor should over-seed the role of the Eucharist.

Please comment below if you would like to add something about your experience as a cantor. If you have any questions, I welcome those also.

Let’s keep finding ways to praise our Creator!

You might also enjoy reading the following articles:

5 Expectations of a Cantor

Are You Scared to Sing? 

How to Sing Well at Early Morning Masses

A Cantor’s Art

A Cantor’s Ministry

My Cantoring Experiences