Cantors

[peary]

The only place that we need a cantor is for the Psalm & Gospel Acclamation. Nowhere does it call for someone to ‘lead’ the singing. The choir should be able to do that quite nicely without someone waving their arms at the people.

The choir at our parish only sings at one Mass on Sunday. The music minister also functions as the cantor for other Masses, but she also leads the people in singing (you know how that goes - arms extended as if she is ready to fly off the podium).

 

[Phemie]

I can’t for the life of me figure out why people who are in the choir don’t learn to read music. Choir participation is SO much easier when you can read your parts (and easier yet when you can sit down at the piano and play through it!).

I’m not in the choir - and believe me that’s best for everyone. I do sing from my pew and the only people who suffer are the 3 or 4 in my immediate vicinity. I have to hear a song several times in order to learn the melody.

 

[CarrieH]

I’m not in the choir - and believe me that’s best for everyone. I do sing from my pew and the only people who suffer are the 3 or 4 in my immediate vicinity. I have to hear a song several times in order to learn the melody.

That’s what I’m saying about choir folks saving time by learning to read music. When you can read the notes, you don’t have to hear it several times unless it is exceptionally tricky. I certainly wouldn’t suggest that non-singers take it on, unless they have an interest in it. I’m glad you are singing anyway!

As for myself, the main suffering I inflict on others comes from the organ. I hack around on it a bit and occasionally serve as a substitute. Anyone who hears me practicing can offer that up as a penance…and they can hear it all the way to the rectory! But they’d rather have me play than sing a cappella…

 

[Phemie]

That’s what I’m saying about choir folks saving time by learning to read music. When you can read the notes, you don’t have to hear it several times unless it is exceptionally tricky. I certainly wouldn’t suggest that non-singers take it on, unless they have an interest in it. I’m glad you are singing anyway!

This will sound crazy but I can’t sing with music. The music had no meaning to me. I can’t make what comes out of my mouth match the key that is being played.

OTOH, I have been known to lead Evening Prayer and chant the Prayer of Thanksgiving for Light and acquit myself quite well, but it was a capella and the chant was not complicated. Don’t know that I’d want to attempt the Exsultet!

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

PS. My cathedral parish sings! It took along time. Lord knows in 1983 when I joined the choir they didn’t. But they will if you persist. We seperate the choir and put them on either side of the side aisle for a post Communion hymn. We sing “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” from Worship III as a round. If you could see the looks on some faces as they realize they are singing in harmony, it is well worth it.

WHAT??? You DO realize that this hymn is actually a guitar mass staple don’t you?

Just HAD to bust your chops a little for that one …

 

[NPC]

As Peary said a bit earlier, music is often completely led by the cantor if there is no choir - my choir in the cathedral only sings one Mass on Sunday, the Mass which follows is led by a cantor. The primary function of the cantor is to lead the congregation in singing and to unite them in song - i.e. to ensure a steady tempo - otherwise the hymns could end up being a race with certain members of the congregation galloping ahead of the organ and everybody else! In my experience as an organist, good cantors are extremely difficult to get - a very delicate balance must be struck: the cantor can’t be too good because if the congregation sense that the cantor is simply a performer they won’t sing along as they feel it would be spoiling the cantor’s wonderful singing! On the other hand they must be able to sing in tune with the organ and have a good sense of rhythm so as the congregation won’t end up feeling lost. As for the cantor ‘conducting’ the congregation, I have not seen this too often. I don’t think it does much to encourage congregational singing - if the cantor is a confident singer and there is a competent organist, they will both give direction to the music being sung by shaping the lines and making breaks at appropriate places. Insofar as one should conduct, it should be for new hymns which aren’t well known or perhaps for responsorial psalms which only come round once a year… Anyway, I suspect that like most choirs, no one is even watching the conductor.