Generally I would agree with the above comments, the role of cantor can be done by a female. But it is worth part of the role of an instituted lector (which is for men only) is to “direct the singing … of the faithful”.
From the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from
romanrite.com/girm.html :
“104. It is fitting that there be a cantor or a choir director to lead and sustain the people’s singing. When in fact there is no choir, it is up to the cantor to lead the different chants, with the people taking part. …
107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. [footnote 89: 89. Cf. Pontifical Commission for interpreting legal texts, response to dubium regarding can. 230 § 2: AAS 86 (1994), p. 541.] All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”
From the 1972 Motu Proprio Ministeria Quaedam, with “reader” referring to an instituted lector:
“5. The reader is appointed for a function proper to him, that of reading the word of God in the liturgical assembly. Accordingly, he is to proclaim the readings from sacred Scripture, except for the gospel in the Mass and other sacred celebrations; he is to recite the psalm between the readings when there is no psalmist; he is to present the intentions for the general intercessions in the absence of a deacon or cantor; **he is to direct the singing and the participation by the faithful; **he is to instruct the faithful for the worthy reception of the sacraments. He may also, insofar as may be necessary, take care of preparing other faithful who are appointed on a temporary basis to read the Scriptures in liturgical celebrations. That he may more fittingly and perfectly fulfill these functions, he is to meditate assiduously on sacred Scripture.”
The full document is at
romanrite.com/Churchdoc.html .
So the priest could reasonably prefer a instituted lector as cantor, rather than someone else. But an instituted lector being cantor is not encouraged with the same force that the instituted lector proclaim the readings. On this, the 2002 GIRM has:
“101. In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture. …”.
The Motu Proprio is a little unclear. It mentions cantor as another person, who might present the general intercessions. But it gives the role of “directing the singing” – which sounds liike the role of the cantor – to the instituted lector.
Here is the original Latin text:
“V. Lector instituitur ad munus, quod est ei proprium, legendi in coctu liturgico verbum Dei. Quapropter in Missa et in aliis sacris actionibus, lectiones (non autem Evangelium) e Sacra Scriptura proferat; deficiente psalmista, psalmum inter lectiones recites; intentiones orationis universalis enuntiet, ubi diaconus vel cantor praesto non sunt; centum moderetur et populi fidelis participationem dirigat; fideles ad Sacramenta digne recipienda instituat. …”.
