So What Does a Kantor Do?
When I did a Google search to see how others defined a “Kantor” or “Cantor”, I didn’t find too much. I found the obvious — who were Kantors, but not what they did. Johann Walter was the first Lutheran Kantor. J.S. Bach is a familiar name.
One resource that was enlightening was from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians in their Employment Guide on the Placement portion of their website. This Guide offers job descriptions of various church musician positions, but it also begins with a page in calligraphy entitled “Role of the Cantor.” This is what the ALCM has to say:
The Role of the Cantor
- The Cantor – the historical term among Lutherans – is the leader of the people’s song.
- The Cantor is responsible for leading the musical expression of the people — the assembly, choral groups, solo singers, and instrumentalists. Among whom organists have been especially important for Lutherans.
- The Cantor uses whatever musical resources are available, using them in a manner appropriate to the talents of those serving and the needs of the people who are served.
- The Cantor leads the earthly assembly in a foretaste of John’s vision of the heavenly in which all creatures give praise, honor, glory, and power to the Lamb.
- The Cantor’s work is a worthy service to God, God’s people, and the world.
- It is a high and holy calling.
This gives a bit of insight into the vocation of a Kantor.
Related posts:
3 Responses to “So What Does a Kantor Do?”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
As musicians, it is hard for us to be a cantor. We are to lead the voice of the people in song, without making it a performance. We are to make the voices of the people shine, without ‘out shining’ those who are singing. We are ALL to humble ourselves before the Lord!
If you have church attendees come up to you after the service to complement you on your playing, you may have just failed at your task as a cantor! Instead of worshiping God, someone was listening to your performance. That is not a good thing in the eyes of our Lord!
If you play more notes than what is written to make the song sound better to your ears, you may be performing for men! If you make the song easier for the people to sing, you are then a real cantor, leading those worshiping in song.
Think about it! God first! Are you performing for men to hear? or to aid in singing for the glory of God… Does God want to hear you play? or the people sing….. I’m sure it’s both!
I was in a fine gospel group at one time. I had to give this up when I realized people came to hear us perform, rather than to seek and worship God. I have wrestled with this thought since that day.
Be humble, oh church musicians! Just as your Pastors should be! Do you face the people seated in the church as you sing and play, or to the alter of our Lord? That may help you determine if you are performing for men, or God.
Isaiah 42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise from the end of the earth…..
You thoughts are very welcome!
IMHO dan dd@speedyquick.net
Thank you Dan for your thoughtful comments. I apologize I haven’t replied sooner to your comment.
As church musicians, I think we will always have that tension between being a servant and a performer. I agree that we shouldn’t try to bring attention to ourselves for the sake of our egos and sinful desires. Yet, music itself is a gift of God and He gives the talents and inclinations to make that music. I frequently use alternate hymn accompaniments and harmonizations as a way to enliven hymn singing. Likewise, organ chorale preludes are often a fine way to introduce and meditate on a hymn text. Music, from a Lutheran perspective, is seen as a servant and bearer of the Gospel. Will people notice the music? Most certainly. The music is not intended to be background music, but a deliberate preaching and carrying of the Word.
Your comment on the location of the musicians in church is good food for thought. If given the option, I would much rather be in an organ loft where I’m not as visually noticeable as when “up front”. As soon as the musicians are “up front”, it is more likely that the attention will be on the people rather than the message/music.
As you mentioned, it would behoove the musician to pray to God for humbleness and to be not proud. I am reminded of Luther’s explanation to the first article of the Creed where we learn of the vast riches and gifts God continually provides us out of His “fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness” in us. Soli Deo Gloria!
I recently found this quote on church musicians from Walter Krueger in the Jan 1996 edition of Cross Accents (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians):
Although each congregation defines the job differently, church musicians traditionally have one basic feature in common: they desire to use God-given talents for God’s ultimate glory and to stimulate praise and worship among his people. In doing so, church musicians are not seeking fame or fortune for themselves, but rather refer all such human applause to the Creator, so that God alone is given the glory.