This goes on in Protestant churches also, except that it is usually the organist or choir director that is expected to do their job "Soli Deo Gloria", which frequently is translated by the church board to mean "without pay". As an amateur singer who has gotten used to this sort of thing, it isn't a big deal since I really want to sing & I don't have a music degree, although I wouldn't argue if I were to be offered a section leader or cantoring position with pay. For someone who has a music degree & is expected to bear the brunt of the work & hassles that go along with a conductor's job, however, some compensation is only fair, even if they are a member of the congregation. Some churches lessen the financial burden by hiring someone who can both conduct & play & will not split the position even though, in the long run, it is the best thing for the choir's preparation.
My husband was the director of our church choir for 13 years & was paid but when the volunteer pianist left to take a paying job at another church everyone acted like the roof would cave in because he had to bring in someone from the "outside" who expected to be paid. It wound up being that several families that had an understanding of the situation covered the cost for several years b-4 we were able to convince the church board of putting this into the budget. We finally told them that this was just preparation for when the volunteer organist retired, as they should have to expect to pay someone to do that as well since there really isn't anyone in the congregation anymore capable of holding the position & I think that this is what finally got them to budge. Fortunately, the new choir director & his accompanist are being paid but even that has had its own hassles.
Pat
On Sat, 28 Apr 2001 11:11:35 EDT MFoxy9795@a... writes: > > if you are cantoring in a church that does not pay you for doing the > job of a > professional, which of course i assume you are, i would say get the > heck out > of there and find one that does. there are so many catholic > churches. as > long as professional musicians put up with that, it will continue. > i would > like to see the day when the priests can't find anyone to cantor (or > play the > organ for that matter). then they will pay pretty good.
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