As a former Catholic Cantor, I have found that singers(except in large wealthy churches downtown) (Baltimore) are not paid. In fact, where I cantored a while back I wasn't paid and the pastor had the gall to bring in checks for the "musicians" for the special Easter service, in front of me. I had a music degree, too. But apparently I didn't count as a "musician". At the time I was quite desperate for income so I chucked that "job" theday after Easter. I guess I'm a tad"unchristian" should I say or just plain bitter but the attitude that those who play instruments outside their own body are deserving of pay and singers are not isnot that uncommon. Has anyone else found it to be so? The same is true of Musical Theater in the Community Theater setting. The actors work their bums off and then the producers hire musicians to play while the actors get nothing aside from the Applause--what is it that we're living for! Sorry for the mini-rant but most Catholic Parishes use volunteers as cantors-some are quite good-some could cause a mass conversion to another denomination--one with good music. I must admit that my canatorring experience was about 20 years ago and perhaps thing have changed. If they have please tell me. (I'm really a very positive and upbeat person, really I am!) ANne
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