Why Am I a Cantor?

by Megan Crosby

I’ve had some recent conversations that have focused on my job title and how it seemingly lacks any description of what I do. I direct the Sanctuary Choir, the King’s Ringers; I play the organ and the piano, and I sing. I help plan worship along with Nate and Pastors Sonja and Sarah. Cantor doesn’t really seem to cut it, so why that title?

“Cantor” comes from the Latin word cantare or canere, which means to sing. It refers to the chief singer, the person who leads the people in singing. (Taken verbatim from Paul Westermeyer’s book The Church Musician, p. 13.) In essence, the cantor is the leader of the people’s song.


Sometimes I lead from the piano and sing with a microphone. That would be the most basic meaning of cantor. I love the word Cantor, though, for its vocational purpose: to help the people of the church lift up their own voices in praise. Worship isn’t a performance, it takes YOU! I always consider what would be the best way to present a song or hymn. Should I play from the organ or the piano? Is the song new? Should the choir, Nate, or I sing the first verse alone so everyone can hear it first? What would most support the people’s song and make a person comfortable singing out? Some people like having a strong singer up front to follow when they sing. Other people prefer the backing of the organ, with its colors and sounds and physical support. A pipe organ, like the voice, is a wind instrument.

I love to sing, but what I love most is encouraging others to sing. When you sing in a choir or as a part of the congregation, you don’t need to have a “perfect” voice or the “best” voice. Worship takes all of our voices. And when so much of our world is incredibly divided, singing together, with a common purpose, to the glory of God, is an outrageously hopeful thing to do.

Yes, I am a Cantor. I chose that title for myself, and it reminds me of my purpose and what I love.

Soli Deo Gloria
Megan Crosby