Cantor qualifications/requirements

[ironband]

I think I need a reality check.

My parish music director recently (with the pastor’s support) put into effect new policies regarding cantors. Among these are a lot of good things such as a requirement to attend rehearsals and parish cantor workshops. But one thing that has me a bit upset is a requirement to take voice lessons on a weekly basis at the cantor’s own expense. Voice lessons are not inexpensive, and while I would like to take them, they just aren’t in the monetary budget or the time budget right now, especially since both my wife and I were serving in this ministry.

Maybe I’m just upset that this means I can no longer serve in that capacity. But I’m curious to hear folks’ thoughts…

 

[curlycool89]

I think I need a reality check.

My parish music director recently (with the pastor’s support) put into effect new policies regarding cantors. Among these are a lot of good things such as a requirement to attend rehearsals and parish cantor workshops. But one thing that has me a bit upset is a requirement to take voice lessons on a weekly basis at the cantor’s own expense. Voice lessons are not inexpensive, and while I would like to take them, they just aren’t in the monetary budget or the time budget right now, especially since both my wife and I were serving in this ministry.

Maybe I’m just upset that this means I can no longer serve in that capacity. But I’m curious to hear folks’ thoughts…

Voice lessons seems a little harsh.

The other point I would make is that it seems to be turning cantering into more of a musical performance, which it’s not. Sounds like they only want “the best voices” which is not what music in Church is about; it’s about praising and worshipping God through song (like the Psalms).

At a Church I attend, one of the rotating choirs is made up of seniors. Sometimes they’re a little flat (and the only reason I probably notice is because I was in choral in high school), but I think it’s great that they’re willing to go up there and sing. It’s not about how good they are or how good they’d do in American Idol, it’s about God. And I don’t think God would ever tell someone that they’re not good enough to sing to Him.

 

[Joannm]

Voice lessons seems a little harsh.

It’s not about how good they are or how good they’d do in American Idol, it’s about God. And I don’t think God would ever tell someone that they’re not good enough to sing to Him.

We have several cantors in our parish. Two of them could be professional opera singers, the others sing well but slip up once in awhile and one doesn’t even have the greatest voice but knows how to lead song. At the masses with the “opera singers” no one sings, they just listen. Granted they have fantastic voices but no one wants to sing. It is more of a performance, even though I know that to them it is a ministry. At the masses with the other cantors the people sing. They also step back from the mic so that you are not just hearing their voice but everyone’s voices. One thing I learned from NPM (whose convention is this week and I have to miss it) is to step away from the mic and let the people sing. Voice lessons are good, and I have taken them, but they should not be a requirement to be a cantor.

 

[SonCatcher]

Bring up the issue with your pastor immediately. He might not be aware of the implications of the new direction. Emphasize your term of involvement in the ministry and how you would dislike having to leave the ministry over a mere financial concern.

If the pastor brushes you off, bring the issue up with your bishop. I am sure he would be displeased over priests in his diocese using money to force people out of ministry. (If it gets to this level, it is your pastor’s problem, not the ministry coordinator’s).

 

[Sarabande]

I have mixed feelings on the requirement. I personally do not like untrained voices cantoring - at least during the psalm and the gospel acclamation when you are supposed to “hear” the cantor. Music is a prayer for me and the main source of my spiritual connection with God after receiving the Eucharist. To hear sacred or religious music butchered by a bad singer or a bad instrumentalist is hard to handle. A voice is basically an instrument and should be treated as such. The musician playing that “instrument” should have some training just like for any other instrument. It has nothing to do with performance and more about being able to do the liturgical function well and using the gifts God gave to the best of one’s abilities.

For a hymn, though, it doesn’t matter as much if the cantor is not trained as long as the cantor can sing in tune and doesn’t have a bad voice - unless they drown out everyone with the mic, which often happens in the parishes I’ve gone to and so no one wants to sing because the cantor with the untrained voice (sometimes horrible voice) is too loud and sometimes doesn’t know rhythm or how to count so it’s frustrating. When they keep away from the mic the organ and congregation can drown them out so it’s not bad.

So, I can see the benefits of having voice lessons for cantors in order for them to sing well at least the psalm and the Gospel acclamation. At the same time, I know how expensive voice lessons can be. Since I’m a professional classical singer, I spend $100/hr on lessons (which usually amounts to $150/$200 a lesson, since an hour is not enough to go through my repertoire). Well worth it since I work professionally, but I can’t see the benefit for a cantor who more than likely is not getting paid to cantor nor is working as a singer professionally, unless he/she is doing it for his/her personal benefit.

I think if the music director wants this requirement, perhaps he should foot the money for the cost of lessons to the cantors. Or get the parish to foot the money. Of course, this more than likely won’t happen. Does the music director give voice lessons? If it is very important to him perhaps ask if he can give group lessons for all the cantors so that they can get a discount on the lesson. Another option is that when they have the rehearsal with the music director before the mass, he give them vocal exercises to practice during the week and at the rehearsal warm them up with those exercises.

Ideally, what should happen is that a cantor is trained in voice AND is properly trained in how to cantor as well as know how to adapt one’s voice for mass. I think one of the biggest problems is the microphone. I’ve heard cantors with wonderful voices and cantors with not so great voices not know how to use a mic. If a cantor knows how to use the mic to only assist in leading the congregation instead of overpowering them, it makes a world of difference in how the congregation will sing. As I said, I’m a trained singer (an classical and opera singer in fact) and at almost every regular Sunday/Saturday mass I cantor for, we get the congregation singing sometimes bringing down the roof with so much singing. It’s because I keep away from the mic and only use it slightly for the psalm and Gospel Acclamation and if the congregation needs help with a hymn that they aren’t familiar with or don’t like. And I know how to adapt my voice. I won’t sing in full operatic voice to cantor. There is no need to. The music doesn’t call for that - ESPECIALLY when I’m chanting.

Do you know the background as to why these new requirements have been put into place? Have parishioners been complaining? Have the priests at the parish been complaining about the quality?

 

[Sarabande]

One other thing I just thought of. I’ve noticed in my diocese that a few parishes have begun to pay cantors like they pay the organist because the parish and the priests wanted better quality musicianship and music. I’m wondering if your parish is trying to institute something like this. If this is the case, then this would be a way to have your voice lessons paid for, as local voice teachers in my area might charge $30-$50/hr and these parishes pay about that much per mass. You should ask the music director about this.

Also, I agree with others. Talk to the music director first, but if you don’t receive a satisfactory reply, go to the pastor and ask about this requirement.

 

[ironband]

Thanks, all, for the comments.

@Sarabande:

At our parish, Cantors who do a mass alone with just an accompanist get paid. At masses with choirs the director of the choir is paid, regardless of who does what. I always volunteered in the past, praying the psalm or leading a song or two in the context of the choir I was in (recently disbanded so they can “do something different” with that mass) when asked to by the director of that choir.

I am not classically trained. I have sung with choirs since high school, and have participated in various cantor workshops and the like. To my knowledge, there have been no complaints about the quality of my singing. Of course, people only compliment you after Mass…rarely does someone give you any constructive criticism. I know that I have room for improvement, but I would classify myself as a “proficient” singer.

My wife, on the other hand, is classically trained, and took voice lessons for years before we got married and had kids etc. When we were dating I used to drive her to her lessons. She has a voice of professional calibre and teaches music at our parish school. She often laments not being able to take voice lessons, but we sacrifice some things for our kids.

The music director does indeed offer lessons, and I understand that she has just opened a music school in town. She has also said that we can take a vocal performance class at the local community college, which is naturally much cheaper, but if we both did that it would necessitate paying for child care, so it might be a wash.

I guess I’ll talk to the director and the pastor, but they seem pretty committed to this course of action (our Pastor has a degree in music as well). Since my wife and I are the only ones in music ministry who seem to have a problem with this policy, perhaps it is for the best if we just let it go and find another ministry.

Thanks again.

 

[Catholicben]

I have mixed feelings on the requirement. I personally do not like untrained voices cantoring - at least during the psalm and the gospel acclamation when you are supposed to “hear” the cantor. Music is a prayer for me and the main source of my spiritual connection with God after receiving the Eucharist. To hear sacred or religious music butchered by a bad singer or a bad instrumentalist is hard to handle. A voice is basically an instrument and should be treated as such. The musician playing that “instrument” should have some training just like for any other instrument. It has nothing to do with performance and more about being able to do the liturgical function well and using the gifts God gave to the best of one’s abilities.

For a hymn, though, it doesn’t matter as much if the cantor is not trained as long as the cantor can sing in tune and doesn’t have a bad voice - unless they drown out everyone with the mic, which often happens in the parishes I’ve gone to and so no one wants to sing because the cantor with the untrained voice (sometimes horrible voice) is too loud and sometimes doesn’t know rhythm or how to count so it’s frustrating. When they keep away from the mic the organ and congregation can drown them out so it’s not bad.

So, I can see the benefits of having voice lessons for cantors in order for them to sing well at least the psalm and the Gospel acclamation. At the same time, I know how expensive voice lessons can be. Since I’m a professional classical singer, I spend $100/hr on lessons (which usually amounts to $150/$200 a lesson, since an hour is not enough to go through my repertoire). Well worth it since I work professionally, but I can’t see the benefit for a cantor who more than likely is not getting paid to cantor nor is working as a singer professionally, unless he/she is doing it for his/her personal benefit.

I think if the music director wants this requirement, perhaps he should foot the money for the cost of lessons to the cantors. Or get the parish to foot the money. Of course, this more than likely won’t happen. Does the music director give voice lessons? If it is very important to him perhaps ask if he can give group lessons for all the cantors so that they can get a discount on the lesson. Another option is that when they have the rehearsal with the music director before the mass, he give them vocal exercises to practice during the week and at the rehearsal warm them up with those exercises.

Ideally, what should happen is that a cantor is trained in voice AND is properly trained in how to cantor as well as know how to adapt one’s voice for mass. I think one of the biggest problems is the microphone. I’ve heard cantors with wonderful voices and cantors with not so great voices not know how to use a mic. If a cantor knows how to use the mic to only assist in leading the congregation instead of overpowering them, it makes a world of difference in how the congregation will sing. As I said, I’m a trained singer (an classical and opera singer in fact) and at almost every regular Sunday/Saturday mass I cantor for, we get the congregation singing sometimes bringing down the roof with so much singing. It’s because I keep away from the mic and only use it slightly for the psalm and Gospel Acclamation and if the congregation needs help with a hymn that they aren’t familiar with or don’t like. And I know how to adapt my voice. I won’t sing in full operatic voice to cantor. There is no need to. The music doesn’t call for that - ESPECIALLY when I’m chanting.

This is EXACTLY how I feel (first paragraph), and like it (2nd - end). I really feel (as does the church, see below) that it’s really better to have no music than bad music…

"… a) Because of the nature, sanctity, and dignity of the sacred liturgy, the playing of any musical instrument should be as perfect as possible. It would be preferable to omit the use of instruments entirely (whether it be the organ only, or any other instrument),** than to play them in a manner unbecoming their purpose**. As a general rule it is better to do something well, however modest, than to attempt something more elaborate without the proper means. …"

 

[Sarabande]

Thanks, all, for the comments.

@Sarabande:

At our parish, Cantors who do a mass alone with just an accompanist get paid. At masses with choirs the director of the choir is paid, regardless of who does what. I always volunteered in the past, praying the psalm or leading a song or two in the context of the choir I was in (recently disbanded so they can “do something different” with that mass) when asked to by the director of that choir.

I am not classically trained. I have sung with choirs since high school, and have participated in various cantor workshops and the like. To my knowledge, there have been no complaints about the quality of my singing. Of course, people only compliment you after Mass…rarely does someone give you any constructive criticism. I know that I have room for improvement, but I would classify myself as a “proficient” singer.

My wife, on the other hand, is classically trained, and took voice lessons for years before we got married and had kids etc. When we were dating I used to drive her to her lessons. She has a voice of professional calibre and teaches music at our parish school. She often laments not being able to take voice lessons, but we sacrifice some things for our kids.

The music director does indeed offer lessons, and I understand that she has just opened a music school in town. She has also said that we can take a vocal performance class at the local community college, which is naturally much cheaper, but if we both did that it would necessitate paying for child care, so it might be a wash.

I guess I’ll talk to the director and the pastor, but they seem pretty committed to this course of action (our Pastor has a degree in music as well). Since my wife and I are the only ones in music ministry who seem to have a problem with this policy, perhaps it is for the best if we just let it go and find another ministry.

Thanks again.

Wait a minute!!! You both have a lot of musical experience and expertise, especially your wife! And I think your wife would be pretty honest with you about your singing abilities. I don’t think it’s right that this music director is requiring you both to take lessons when your wife, especially, already has had the training and has kept up with her skills.

Now that I know your cantors are paid, then I would totally understand that the position would require some expertise. The only way I would require an already trained singer who is working as a paid cantor to continue taking lessons is if there was definitely a problem with the voice. It doesn’t seem that either one of you have this problem. Technically, you could even take “lessons” from your wife since she has had training and expertise in that.

And really, you don’t need vocal performance classes unless you are planning on working as a professional singer, so this doesn’t make sense to me. Vocal performance is for “performance” - not for cantoring. It’s a totally different way of presenting oneself. I also wonder if she is trying to beef up her student numbers since she just opened a new school. I can understand if the singer is having problems and you can’t justify paying a bad singer, but makes no sense if the singer is doing well and his/her technique is fine. I don’t take lessons every week anymore because I don’t need to. When I was younger, yes, I needed the weekly reminder, but now I’m solid in my technique. I only do it for refreshers and to be sure that I’m doing the right things with the different styles of classical vocal music - art song, opera, sacred, etc. If I was told by my music director that I had to take weekly lessons “just because” and not because there was any problem with my voice or technique… well… that music director would hear it from me - in a nice way, of course. I’ve already put in my time, money and effort since I was a teenager to get to the point where I am now. AND so has your wife as well as yourself even if you weren’t formally trained. My husband was never formally trained, but sang in choir with me and actually has a beautiful baritone voice. He has sung/chanted the Passion beautifully, can read music well and in some ways better than a couple of men I’ve sung with recently who was “trained”. He’d have a perfect voice for cantoring if he wasn’t so shy about doing it. (He’d rather sing in a choir).

 

[CB_Catholic]

Your parish is not the only one. In my parish a Cantor is required to have a trained voice. You don’t need vocal training to be in the choir or any of the vocal groups, but to Cantor you do. I have never heard anyone complain about it, nor have I ever perceived their cantoring as being showmanship. I am not sure if they are paid, but I don’t have a problem with them being paid if they are. It is not an easy job.

I realize that in many parishes it may be difficult to find people who have vocal training and can Cantor, or they may not be able to pay for one, but I think if a parish can, they should consider requiring vocal training to cantor. But that’s my opinion. A good cantor can add a lot to our worship.

 

[SonCatcher]

Thanks, all, for the comments.

@Sarabande:

At our parish, Cantors who do a mass alone with just an accompanist get paid. At masses with choirs the director of the choir is paid, regardless of who does what. I always volunteered in the past, praying the psalm or leading a song or two in the context of the choir I was in (recently disbanded so they can “do something different” with that mass) when asked to by the director of that choir.

Does that mean you should now be a paid cantor? Would it be enough to cover lessons? Talk to the director and pastor about it.

I am not classically trained. I have sung with choirs since high school, and have participated in various cantor workshops and the like. To my knowledge, there have been no complaints about the quality of my singing. Of course, people only compliment you after Mass…rarely does someone give you any constructive criticism. I know that I have room for improvement, but I would classify myself as a “proficient” singer.

My wife, on the other hand, is classically trained, and took voice lessons for years before we got married and had kids etc. When we were dating I used to drive her to her lessons. She has a voice of professional calibre and teaches music at our parish school. She often laments not being able to take voice lessons, but we sacrifice some things for our kids.

The music director does indeed offer lessons, and I understand that she has just opened a music school in town. She has also said that we can take a vocal performance class at the local community college, which is naturally much cheaper, but if we both did that it would necessitate paying for child care, so it might be a wash.

I guess I’ll talk to the director and the pastor, but they seem pretty committed to this course of action (our Pastor has a degree in music as well). Since my wife and I are the only ones in music ministry who seem to have a problem with this policy, perhaps it is for the best if we just let it go and find another ministry.

Thanks again.

Your wife actually sounds qualified to offer the lessons herself.

Please don’t let it go so easily. Like it or not, they may be setting up an illegitimate barrier to those in the cantor ministry or wishing to enter it. This is especially the case if they are requiring unpaid cantors to pay for lessons.

It would make sense for a new music director or pastor to require new tryouts for everyone. It would also make sense to require new tryouts for replacing an exiting cantor or disbanded choir. How you describe the situation seems arbitrary, however.

 

[Joannm]

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians offers certification as a cantor. It requires sending in a video of you cantoring or having a proctor observe you at mass. Perhaps if you looked into this and your cantors applied for the certification that would satisfy the music director as to the caliber of your ministry. You can find it at their website, which I think is NPM.org.

 

[ironband]

Now that I know your cantors are paid, then I would totally understand that the position would require some expertise. The only way I would require an already trained singer who is working as a paid cantor to continue taking lessons is if there was definitely a problem with the voice. It doesn’t seem that either one of you have this problem. Technically, you could even take “lessons” from your wife since she has had training and expertise in that.

I agree that there is a degree of expertise required. And while I have taken some lessons from my wife (and my mother in law, who has a music school), our director will not accept either of them as the agreement we were asked to sign indicates that the lessons must be taken from an individual holding at least a BA in music.

And really, you don’t need vocal performance classes unless you are planning on working as a professional singer, so this doesn’t make sense to me. Vocal performance is for “performance” - not for cantoring. It’s a totally different way of presenting oneself. I also wonder if she is trying to beef up her student numbers since she just opened a new school. I can understand if the singer is having problems and you can’t justify paying a bad singer, but makes no sense if the singer is doing well and his/her technique is fine.

I have similar suspicions, but am trying to remain charitable here. I think that everyone is being held to the same requirements in an attempt to be “fair” and not single anyone out. My wife was so upset at the agreement we were asked to sign that she resigned from ministry, and was told that she had to submit her resignation to the pastor. She gave her reasons, and we have not heard back from him yet.

 

[Sarabande]

I agree that there is a degree of expertise required. And while I have taken some lessons from my wife (and my mother in law, who has a music school), our director will not accept either of them as the agreement we were asked to sign indicates that the lessons must be taken from an individual holding at least a BA in music.

OK… This just gets me upset. Does this music director know how many distinguished, brilliant composers and musicians never had formal college training - although training almost all their lives?

Don’t get me wrong, I think going to college or conservatory for music is a great thing, but this is just going over the top with the requirements. Besides my training at conservatory (although no BA - I have what is called a “Diplom” from conservatory in Europe) and summer programs, I’ve had two voice teachers in my life. One has no degree, the other does. Both are incredible teachers and remarkable women with distinguished, international careers working in the top opera houses, with the top conductors and top singers of their time only as soloists and leads. The one without a degree could go head to head with any musician who has a degree. Her musicianship is impeccable and was actually one of the few singers respected and used often by the conductor/composer Pierre Boulez who was known to make singers cry at rehearsals to the point that many singers were afraid to perform with him because he was so demanding of musicianship. It was this kind of perfectionism of my teacher that she passed down to me in terms of musicianship. I could not have asked for a better teacher in that regard. (She was loving teacher, btw, and wouldn’t make her students cry.) But by your music director’s standards, she would not fit the requirements because of her lack of that little piece of paper. It’s ridiculous.

Some of the best instrumentalists and singers I’ve worked with have no BA in music, but have studied music since they were little. And some of the worst musicians I’ve worked with touted their masters degrees and doctorates and couldn’t play or sing their way out of a paper bag. But because they had those little pieces of paper, they “mesmerized” whomever they worked for (who didn’t know anything about music so wouldn’t know) into thinking that because they have a degree they must be better than someone without a degree. I personally think that although attending conservatory and college can be a good thing, the actual degree really means nothing. Most good musicians I work with and are friends say the same thing. The ones who have a degree know that although it is a help and a stepping stone today, it may mean nothing. What matters is if you are a good musician and can do your “job”. And I think you and your wife feel the same way.

I have similar suspicions, but am trying to remain charitable here. I think that everyone is being held to the same requirements in an attempt to be “fair” and not single anyone out. My wife was so upset at the agreement we were asked to sign that she resigned from ministry, and was told that she had to submit her resignation to the pastor. She gave her reasons, and we have not heard back from him yet.

I understand trying to be fair, but the requirement of only having a teacher with a BA is still over the top. What they should have are “auditions” to show that they are qualified in technique and a level of expertise. If you can do the liturgical function well that should be all that matters - not whether or not your teacher has a BA. I’m sorry to say this, but the requirement is “stupid” - and that’s not a word I use lightly. I rarely say “stupid”, in fact.

I don’t blame your wife for resigning. I’d resign as well. Can your wife request a meeting with the pastor so that she can talk about it in person with him?

I know I was being passionate about this and I apologize if I came across too strong. Now that I’m a little calm, I think it is good your wife wrote the letter and if she can get a one to one talk with the pastor and even possibly with the music director to calmly and nicely discuss this issue, it may help.

Best of luck with it.

 

[ironband]

No pun intended, but you are preaching to the choir, Sarabande. We’ve all had the discussion regarding the worth of a degree in music, since we’ve all had experience similar to yours. My wife almost studied music, but was so put off by the elitist attitude of the music professors at her university that she changed majors. She said that she was worried she might become like them, and lose every bit of joy that music brought her.

Anyway…thanks for confirming that I’m not off my rocker for thinking all of this is a bit much.

I hope that the pastor reads my wife’s resignation and at least offers to meet with her to discuss the situation, but I am not hopeful.

 

[Sarabande]

No pun intended, but you are preaching to the choir, Sarabande.

We’ve all had the discussion regarding the worth of a degree in music, since we’ve all had experience similar to yours. My wife almost studied music, but was so put off by the elitist attitude of the music professors at her university that she changed majors. She said that she was worried she might become like them, and lose every bit of joy that music brought her.

Your wife’s is fairly similar to my experience. My degree in the US is actually in Journalism (although now my work is all music). The professors at the music school were just as elitist especially the Dean who was also crazy and cruel, so that wasn’t a help. I was in the music school probably more than in the journalism school because I loved music so much and had many friends in the music school. They were always trying to entice me to change majors and even a couple of the professors there with whom I took a few classes and participated in the various music programs would try to get me to change. No way, Jose. In the long run, I’m very happy I didn’t pursue a music degree there. Like your wife, I saw how the joy, soul and love was stripped away from the music and how a few of my friends who were good musicians were torn apart and broken down that they left music for good after graduating. Music is such a spiritual part of me that I couldn’t risk having that destroyed. I decided to go to the Mozarteum in Salzburg after college because I wanted to study in a city and country that was saturated in music and work with a well-known singer and teacher who was there as a guest professor at the time, as well as to just have the music conservatory experience - albeit a short one - thus the “Diploma” since it wasn’t a four year study. I don’t think my husband would have liked me being away that long. Nor would I, as we were just married. (And unfortunately even in the opera world some companies and groups have started to buy into the degree thing - even though so many of the greatest and well-respected opera singers had no degree - so having training and a diploma from a conservatory was a help in terms of just getting heard at an audition.) I will say that the learning and the experiences were invaluable, and it was there that I truly discovered that it was a vocation and the spiritual path God wanted me to pursue. So, that is why I don’t think it necessarily is a bad thing to do, but again, not necessarily a must have for pursuing music - and especially not for being a cantor.

Anyway…thanks for confirming that I’m not off my rocker for thinking all of this is a bit much.

You’re welcome.

I hope that the pastor reads my wife’s resignation and at least offers to meet with her to discuss the situation, but I am not hopeful.

Will keep fingers crossed.

 

[Cat]

I play piano at my parish whenever they need me, and I’ve played at several other parishes as needed.

We, too, use one cantor at most of our Masses. Only a few of these cantors actually have good voices. The rest range from OK to not so good to painful. The policy in our parish is that anyone who is willing may cantor. It seems that no one is turned away.

Here’s my guess about your parish.

A few of the cantors at your church are in the “painful” category, or maybe even in the “extremely painful to the point of unbearable” category. They really shouldn’t be cantoring. But the Music Director doesn’t have the courage or the heart to tell them that they’re off the list. So he/she has come up with this clever method of getting rid of them. He/she will probably secretly let all the other “good” cantors know that it’s OK if they don’t take voice lessons. But the “painful” or “unbearable” cantors will be forced to quit cantoring–unless they fool the Music Director and start taking voice lessons! But then they will improve in their singing. So it’s actually a very clever idea–a win-win for everyone!

I personally would consider it a conflict of interest if the Music Director who required the voice lessons also gave the voice lessons and charged money. If the voice lessons were merely a strong suggestion but not a requirement, I wouldn’t consider it a conflict of interest if the Music Director offered the lessons and charged money.

If he/she gives free voice lessons, that would also be inappropriate because it deprives full-time music teachers from earning an honest wage by giving voice lessons. This could hurt the Music Director’s reputation among other music professionals in your community.

The appropriate course of action, IMO, would be for the Music Director to give a free “voice seminar” or “voice workshop” every few months or so, and require all cantors, both new cantors and old/experienced cantors, to attend one of these sessions before they are allowed to cantor. This workshop would also be extremely useful for the accompanists like me.

 

[Sarabande]

A few of the cantors at your church are in the “painful” category, or maybe even in the “extremely painful to the point of unbearable” category. They really shouldn’t be cantoring. But the Music Director doesn’t have the courage or the heart to tell them that they’re off the list. So he/she has come up with this clever method of getting rid of them. He/she will probably secretly let all the other “good” cantors know that it’s OK if they don’t take voice lessons. But the “painful” or “unbearable” cantors will be forced to quit cantoring–unless they fool the Music Director and start taking voice lessons! But then they will improve in their singing. So it’s actually a very clever idea–a win-win for everyone!

Cat - Ironband mentioned that their cantors are paid, so they probably aren’t painful or unbearable, although maybe a few are not up to par as to being paid. The Music Director also made it mandatory that they all take lessons from someone with a BA. Even a teacher with distinguished credentials and career and is an excellent musician with an excellent technique would not even be considered someone they could go to if they don’t have a BA. Ironband’s wife was trained in voice and could easily be his teacher as well as his mother-in-law who runs her own music school. But since they don’t have a BA, that would disqualify them. You’ll see more info about it in his subsequent responses. It’s rather ridiculous. I see the value in voice lessons, especially for paid cantors, but there seems to be more going on than just requiring lessons or a level of expertise.

 

[ironband]

Hi Cat, thanks for weighing in.

As Sarabande pointed out, these are required. I think that if they really weren’t a requirement then the director would have contacted my wife after she submitted her resignation and told her that they weren’t meant for her. This requirement is in addition to two cantor workshops per month and regular rehearsals.

In any case…I know now that this is not a typical requirement, and that I’m not nuts for thinking it is a bit much. I’ll take it to prayer and then to the appropriate individuals.

Andre

 

[LilyM]

I remember back in the Jurassic period when I was in high school there were a couple of girls who wanted voice training but couldn’t afford one-on-one lessons. They ended up clubbing together and organising a group lesson instead. I wonder if something like that would work for the cantors in your parish?