Just a few things to take note of before you go up to the pulpit to sing:

Attire (Strictly NO jeans allowed on the altar)

For guys: Shirt, pants (no jeans) and shoes

For girls: Dresses and skirts (no above-the-knee lengths) / pants (no jeans). No revealing tops and sandals. Covered-toe shoes/heels preferably.

Preparation of the Responsorial Psalm

As a cantor, you MUST know what you are proclaiming and not sing blindly. It is not just about knowing your tune, it’s knowing how to proclaim the word to the congregation. Understand your psalm and say a little prayer before you begin. The Liturgy of the Word sets the tone for the rest of the mass and you play a vital role.

What to do:

Before mass begins, make sure you’re seated at either end of the pew.

Leave your seat after or as you are saying “thanks be to God” after the 1^st reading. Walk smartly (no dragging of your feet or swaggering) towards the centre of the aisle, and bow towards the altar before proceeding to the pulpit. When you are at the pulpit, adjust the mike. Signal to the organist when you are ready to begin.

Usually, the organist will play the response once. The cantor then sings it once for the congregation, and the congregation will sing along with the cantor the 3^rd time. Eye contact with the congregation is crucial THROUGHOUT the psalm, especially if you need their responses.

Raise your hand and look at the congregation when they’re supposed to sing the response. Also sing along with the congregation for all the responses, because sometimes they don’t catch it the first time.

After the psalm, go sit down where the 2^nd reader was sitting. When you go back up to sing the Gospel Acclamation there is no need to bow a second time.

After the acclamation walk back down to the middle of the aisle, bow to the altar once more, then return to your seat.

Take note:

As mentioned in the article on church music that Verena posted last year, remember that the words and their meaning are more important than the tune, which is just there to help you better bring the message in the psalm across to the congregation. You’re not going there to perform, but to proclaim God’s message.

Labels: Cantor, first, instructions