Why even have a music Director - Part 1

An Introduciton

I know the title of this first series seems like an odd question coming from the Director of Music himself, but it is a question that I think most people don’t ever really consider. For the most part, unless you are involved in one of our musical ensembles, the only interaction you get with me is during services, as I play the organ and provide the music for the worship. But I promise you that there is a lot more to that. I am not here to justify my position, but I will provide some history and insight into my work.

Before we begin, I will use the term cantor instead of Director of Music for the remainder of this article. While the latter term perfectly describes what I do, the term cantor places my position in a more vocational look. We, as cantors, are responsible for “shaping, developing, and nurturing the musical life of the congregation at worship.” This can done in several ways, but it is usually through the leading of worship from the keyboard, directing ensembles and soloists, and ministry of an effective music program of our congregation

I am one of many cantors who have shaped our musical worship experience. The term itself dates back long before the Reformation but continued to be used by Martin Lutheran to describe leading musicians in the church, specifically his friend Johann Walter. During this time, Lutheran music began to take shape, taking its cues from cantors such as Micahel Praetorius, Samuel Scheidt, Heinrich Schülz, and Johann Sebastian Bach. Through the work of these musicians and countless others, I serve our congregation this way, following Lutheran traditions and helping shape our assembly for musical traditions yet to come.