Religion:Cantor

Short description: Person who leads people in singing

Overview

The term itself is derived from the Latin for "singer", though it is frequently used to translate a range of equivalent terms in other languages, such as for the leader of singing on a traditional chundan vallam or snake boat of Kerala.

Role of the cantor

Judaism

In Judaism, a cantor sings and leads congregants in prayer in Jewish religious services, and they serve as clergy in their congregations. They are also sometimes called a huzzan, which is the Hebrew term for the role.

A cantor goes through years of extensive religious education, similar to that of a rabbi, in order to become an officially recognized as such. They often come from a long line of cantors in their family; born with a natural gift of singing with extensive vocal range.

A cantor is a role most commonly seen in Reform and Conservative Judaism. Orthodox Judaism only allows men to be cantors, though cantors are relatively uncommon in Orthodox Judaism. Many other branches of Ashkenazi Judaism allow women to serve as cantors. Reform Judaism and Conservative Judaism ordain cantors from seminaries.

Cantors in Sephardic communities are often called paytan, and they are increasingly hired for their role within Sephardi synagogues, rather than being a member of the community who takes on the role.

Islam

In Islam, the role of cantor is fulfilled by an ordained muezzin, who calls the adhan in Islam for prayer, that serves as clergy in their congregations and perform all ministerial rites as imams.

Christianity

A cantor in Christianity is an ecclesiastical officer that leads liturgical music. In some branches of Christianity, the lead cantor is called the precentor, and they are assisted by a succentor.

In the Greek Orthodox Church, the Protopsaltis is the cantor of the right choir, and the Lampadarios is the cantor of the left choir. Both must be familiar with Byzantine musical notation.

See also

• Cantor in Reform Judaism
• Jewish prayer
• Chant