Attendance at a rehearsal is mandatory before singing. Arrive for Mass and be in place 5 to10 minutes before Mass begins. Dress conservatively; no jeans. Insert your nameplate on the minister board. You do not have to sign in. If you have not had a chance to review/prepare the music at home, please come earlier for a short rehearsal.
Review the music in the cantor book to make sure everything is familiar and all verses are clear. If you are singing with a partner, please make sure you are in concordance.
When the pre-Mass music begins, please be in place in a cantor chair. If you are singing with a partner, please do not talk/visit during this 3-minute period unless it is necessary. The purpose of the pre-Mass music is to encourage a prayerful atmosphere.
Greet the congregation before introducing the Gathering hymn. Remember, you are the first minister. Conduct yourself in a reverent manner but be cordial and try to make eye contact during a song to help encourage singing. Hand movements (conducting) are certainly beneficial especially at the beginning of a song, at the beginning of a new verse, and at the refrain of the psalm.
Announce every hymn with title, number, and verses (where applicable).
The Psalm is not announced. Following an instrumental introduction, the cantor sings the refrain of the psalm and then invites the congregation to repeat the refrain. The cantor sings a verse and then invites the congregation to sing the refrain again. If you are singing with a partner, the verses may be sung together if there is harmony (schola form). Otherwise, the verses should be sung solo. If you are singing with a partner, you may alternate singing a verse. This guideline is dropped for a cantor-in-training. When the psalm is finished, wait in a reverent manner at the music stand until the accompaniment ends. If the psalm and the accompaniment end simultaneously, make a “reverent 5-second pause” as the music fades away before sitting down.
Following an instrumental introduction, the Alleluia begins immediately with congregational participation. The verse should be sung solo by the cantor.
At Preparation, wait for the congregation to be seated before announcing the song.
At Communion, receive Communion first and then announce the song over the accompaniment. You may pause for silent prayer before the announcement. When all verses are exhausted, there may be a repeat of verses. If the congregation is small, some verses may be eliminated.
At Closing, please be in place at the music stand to announce the closing song immediately following the dismissal by the celebrant.
(10-01-06)