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Since the departure of Saint Clement’s former Music Director, Bill Schoeffler, we have had a cantor in front of the congregation in the sanctuary at each Mass. Initially, this allowed the sung portions of the Mass (including hymns and acclamations) to be sung without an organist. When I became Director of Music, we decided to retain this format.
This role has been filled by a number of cantors who formerly had sung from the choir loft. The fact that the cantor is currently at the other end of the church has made the cantor and organist’s jobs more complicated. Previously, because the cantor was in the choir loft, there was no delay and we could communicate with one another very readily. While we are working to refine the functionality of the cantor ministry, let me give you some background on their function in our Liturgy.
The role of cantor was developed to sing the portions of the Mass which are not sung by the celebrant or the choir. In the case of Saint Clement, this includes the intonation and verses of the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation, the occasional non-congregational portion of the Gloria, and so on. With the liturgical developments realized in the Second Vatican Council, the people gathered at Mass took an active role in its celebration. It is for this very reason that the person referred to as ‘celebrant’ earlier in this paragraph is now called the presider, for we, gathered as community, are the active celebrants of the Mass.
Just as we are a community gathered to celebrate the Mass, we are gathered to celebrate the Mass with singing – even congregational singing! While our cantors do have a specific role, in our current configuration, he or she most often acts as a leader of song (that is, a leader of sung prayer). This sung prayer is the prayer by and of the congregation. That is why there are hymnals in every pew, why the hymns are announced and, why the numbers are on the song boards: to facilitate the congregation’s song. When there are people sitting in the choir loft with me at Mass, they are there to support and enhance the congregation’s song. Therefore, the congregation is the real ‘choir’ at a celebration of the Mass. Remember, the group generally referred to as the choir is still part of the congregation and the congregation’s song is still the primary song in our Liturgy.
Let me leave you with a final thought. The texts contained in our hymns, songs and acclamations comprise meaningful prayers on their own, but even more so in the context of our Liturgy. The music is only a setting for that text. Thus, taking an active role in this music that we sing as a congregation is a beautiful way to carry our prayers and praises to God.
Jeffrey Moellman
Director of Music
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