[HANASHIR:8203] Re: David Shneyer - Ma'alot

[SHARON PLIER <CantorShar...>]

Dear Debra,

There are 2 certification programs for cantors which are recognized as 
professional programs by congregations of North America -- one sponsored by the 
ACC and one through the CA.  By the way, cantors who study by attending HUC-JIR 
or JTS do not receive ordination, but rather are invested (I won't comment on 
that).  (I'm not sure what goes on in the Reconstructionist seminary regarding 
lay cantors and certification.)  Lay people who train via the apprentice route, 
learn under fire or attend a school like Maalot or the new seminary in New York 
may choose to apply to take equivalency exams through either of the unions to 
become certified.  After receiving certification, they may join the union and 
have access to placement.  Though certainly not necessary to find a job in the 
cantorial world (especially in light of today's cantor shortage), certification 
provides nationally recognized credentials.  This typically means double to 
triple the compensation and a professional contract with benefits, etc. Also, 
though any congregation may elect to call their music professional cantor (and 
I'm not forgetting that cantors are ever so much more than just "music 
professionals),  in North America today, you must have the credentials in order 
to legitimize the title in other venues and to earn the respect of other 
colleagues both within and without the Jewish community. 

To apply for the ACC certification program, you will have to provide a 
compelling reason to explain why you cannot attend the seminary (also if you 
are married, your spouse must be Jewish -- obviously, you must be Jewish).  
After that, you may arrange to take an initial exam that ascertains that you 
are musically competent, have a good voice, can translate basic prayers, know a 
specified amount of repertoire, know the modes and a few other things.  Upon 
acceptance into the certification program you are given a book list, a 
curriculum and are paired off with an invested cantor to serve as a mentor and 
you are given 5 years to complete a course of study with a number of exams that 
you must pass.  The program does have some heavy exam fees associated with it.  
For further information you should contact Cantor Benjamin Maissner in Toronto 
Canada who is currently administering the program.    

The one thing that neither certification program addresses very well is the 
pastoral end of the cantorial job.  If you decide to persue certification, in 
addition to your Jewish studies, you should consider taking some courses in 
counseling.  Even if it is not a part of your "job description" people will 
come to you and you will  need listening and referral skills at the very least. 
 If you would like the names of some people who have recently passed the ACC 
exams, please e-mail me privately.

As for the CA exam, you must be Jewish, have a Jewish spouse, keep kosher, and 
have worked for 5 years as the full time cantor of a congregation.  The exams 
for the CA are less rigorous in breadth of knowledge, but you must still 
demonstrate a comprehensive knowlege of nusach, trope, Jewish music repertoire 
and modes.  I haven't actually kept up with what's going on in the conservative 
movement-- I know they were talking about changing their exams to cover more of 
the topics that the Reform requires -- maybe one of the conservatives out there 
can address this.  Again, if you are interested in the names of some people who 
have taken and passed this exam, please e-mail me privately.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Debra Olitzky 
  To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 9:44 AM
  Subject: [HANASHIR:8198] Re: David Shneyer - Ma'alot


  I also an interested in learning more about Jewish music. I am in South 
Florida and am interested in a distance learning program to become a cantor. I 
know they are out there, but, I don't know how it works or if you are able to 
become ordained. I have two small children  (3 and 5) and I'm a single mother. 
So, any information on the programs available you all could give me would be 
extraordinarily helpful.

  >From: Jaugshir (at) aol(dot)com 
  >Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  >To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  >Subject: [HANASHIR:8164] David Shneyer - Ma'alot 
  >Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 00:34:06 EST 
  > 
  >I would love to get more information about "Ma'alot, the seminary for 
  >training cantors and layleaders in Jewish music, liturgy, and the ceremonial 
  >arts" that was mentioned in connection with David Shneyer as director. Can 
  >anyone out there forward contact information to me? 
  > 
  >Thanks 
  >--Judith Golden 
  >jaugshir (at) aol(dot)com 
  > 
  > 


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