[HANASHIR:15093] Re: the whole cantor thing

[Batiya5723 <Batiya5723...>]

First of all, I want to thank Cantor Erik Contzius for his clarifications and 
explanations about this subject. The distinctions noted between the varying 
levels of education/training, and the functions of persons with these titles, 
was very helpful.

Secondly, I have read most of the postings on this subject with interest. Two 
years ago, I was persuaded by a number of people whose opinions I trusted to 
consider cantorial school. I went, and lasted about one semester. I am not 
ashamed of that experience, nor am I ashamed of having left. I learned a lot 
about both the Jewish establishment, and about myself, in the process. There 
were 
many factors in the process, and some of them had to do with my inexperience 
in academia. But others had to do with the reality that cantorial school, no 
matter where it is, requires a huge investment of both time and money; and I 
learned very quicky that I would not have enough of either to see it through to 
the end of what would have been, for me, a 7- to 8-year journey, not 5. (Hint: 
if you are considering bonafied cantorial school, attend an undergrad college 
with a strong Judaic Studies program so you won't have to take 3 years'worth 
of undergrad Judaic pre-req's and pay grad-level tuition! Wish I'd known this 
first.)

I am a songleader. I lead music for youth and family services twice a week 
for a large synagogue (where I am not a member). Although I enjoy the work, I 
have had to resign myself to the reality that this will not be a career for me. 
I am not in a position to leave my entire life behind and go to grad school 
for so long; and Jewish jobs in my region are scarce, even for those who DO 
have 
the requisite degrees. Most people doing this work without a Master's in 
Jewish Anything are doing it part-time, and have other jobs that they schedule 
their Jewish lives around as best they can.

I will continue to make music, and much of it will continue to be Jewish. But 
I will do it on my terms, according to my schedule. I will not be famous but 
I may actually be happier in the end. It was an expensive and painful lesson 
for me to learn. 

I would gently suggest the following as points to ponder, both by individuals 
considering this work and by the institutions that will train and hire them:

1. If there is indeed a shortage of certified Jewish professionals, 
particularly of those with musical ability, perhaps we should either place less 
emphasis on certification (and more on practical ability and talent) in order 
to fill 
the vacancies. How much of our present dilemma is about supply and demand; 
and how much of it is about what synagogue are willing/able to pay someone for 
these services? 

2. How accessible -- really -- is the "proper" training, both for those who 
are able to make the financial and time commitment to a 5-year graduate 
program, and those who aren't? What kinds of financial support exist in the 
comminity 
for those individuals seeking to enter this field as a vocation? 

3. What kind of musicians do the cantorial programs -- and synagogues -- 
really wish to attract? Is there a disconnect between the ideal candidate for a 
cantorial school, and the ideal musician for a particular synagogue community? 
What cantorial school graduate who can sing classically but who cannot play 
guitar or conduct a folk-styled service for the congregation that wants one? 
How 
does this contribute to the sense of separation (and/or possible reduced 
cooperation) between "songleaders" and "cantors"?

4. What makes a "cantor"? What makes a "songleader"? What qualities do these 
two share, and what could they learn from each other in the ideal cooperative 
atmosphere? Could each step at least partially into the other's role from time 
to time if needed? Can a songleader also serve as a Sheliach Tzibur? (I do, 
at my home synagogue.) Can a cantor function as a songleader? (The cantor at 
the synagogue where I am employed -- not the same as my home syangogue -- 
cannot, and utilizes me to lead folk-style youth and family services).

I am glad this topic came up. Thanks for thoughtful discussion and ideas.
Beth Hamon
www.beth-hamon.com