[HANASHIR:1841] Re: "cantor"

[Rachel Gurevitz <rgurevit...>]

At 12:21 23/11/98 -0700, you wrote:
>For whom is the title "cantor" appropriate?  There are both "cantors"
>and "cantorial soloists" in my city with music training - but not
>specialized cantorial training.

I'm sure the cantors (official) on this list will come in on this one.  In
the UK, there is no place to get training for Reform cantors and, as such,
the tradition is all but gone from our progressive congregations.  However,
many congregations have choirs where the choir leader solos on some
traditional cantorial material, and other places where a songleader both
leads communal tunes and does necessary solos (e.g. Barechu).  They are not
cantors.  Cantors train for at least 5 years and have a pretty amazing set
of skills and knowledge, religiously as well as musically.  I wouldn't feel
comfortable sharing their title.

Rachel
____________________________

Rachel Gurevitz
Department of Geography
University College London
26 Bedford Way, London
W1CH 0AP.  UK
Tel: 0171 387 7050 x5526