21 singers: Cantors at Delmar parish can be had for a song

"I'm not really nervous because I do a lot of theater and recitals, so for me it's more fun and enjoyable," said Ms. Curran, one of 21 parish cantors who takes turns leading the congregation in song for weekend Masses.

Since the early 1980s, cantors have been participating in Masses at St. Thomas' and continuing a ministry begun by Dominic Alonzo, former music and choir director.

Many voices

"We have a lot of talented voices in the choir, so that's where he first recruited, but it's good to have people who aren't in the choir because it takes the burden off them" during holidays and vacations, she said.

The cantors receive 13-week schedules, and each cantor gets to sing at two or three Masses during that time.

Youthful sound

Ms. Curran receives the songs and music she'll be singing in the mail; before she sings, she meets with Mrs. Moak to go over the songs.

"I really love it and feel really comfortable because Mrs. Moak lets you know what you're doing and answers questions," she said.

Cantors lead the congregation in hymns, but they really get to shine during the Communion hymn; Ms. Curran considers her rendition of "On Eagle's Wings" a personal highlight. She usually sings at the 9 or 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, and she's glad that other teens have joined the longtime choir members in becoming cantors.

"It's great to get younger people involved and not have to just sit and listen," she said.

Leader

One parishioner who was singing quite well during a recent Sunday Mass at which Mr. Walsh was cantoring told him afterward that he likes to sing, as long as someone such as a cantor is giving him the right key or pitch. Mr. Walsh is gratified that people appreciate his singing enough that they sing themselves.

Before a Mass at which he's cantoring, he loosens up his vocal chords for about an hour-and-a-half; he got plenty of practice when he first became a cantor: He sang at all five Masses one weekend.

He's also happy that more youths have become cantors and don't seem to mind being in front of a large congregation.

"A lot of them have incredible talent. I'm amazed. I can remember my years in high school; I'd be scared to stand up before a group. These kids can sing and do very well," he said.

Auditions

She gets each cantor's material together for weekend Mass and rehearses with them individually, if needed. "Some are such good musicians that they practice on their own, and we just check what they have to do. It's second nature," she said.

Each cantor usually sings solo or in a duet at Mass, but there are special occasions when three might sing at once, such as during Holy Week, or even four at a time, such as during the Easter Vigil.

Talents

Unlike singing in a choir, cantors are more exposed because it's just them and a microphone in front of the whole congregation each Sunday, so it takes someone special to perform this ministry, Mrs. Moak pointed out.

"You have to feel comfortable because you're out there all by yourself," she said. "You can't be a shy person, and you need to have some singing ability."

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