St.

Theresas Youth Choir

Song Leaders Workshop

January 21, 2017

Day plan

10:30 Arrival, settle down, set up

10:45 Opening prayer, welcome

10:45 11:00 Warm up activity

11:00 Role, Responsibilities and Qualities of a Good Song Leader/Cantor

11:30 12:00 Learning videos

Vocalization vowels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QREIsiCVWWI&t=115s

Mum sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0nXWKp74-A

Arpeggio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyujF6XGCT8

Diaphragm Singing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuxdJJyHtaA

How to sing on pitch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdIF2irWHBI

How to sing with a cold https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eevQT_Etkiw

12:00 Lunch (45 mins)

12:45 - 1:00 Game/icebreaker

1:00- 1:15 Importance of Daily Music Ritual

1:15-1:30 Learning videos (part 2)

Hitting High Notes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBWUH-omU-E

Hitting Low notes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Cpxjy1IeA

Microphone usage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iD4kgO1-gE

Expanding your vocal range - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyDhIUGbzc0&t=17s

Diction Filipino Accent

Confidence/Projection

Standard guide during song leading

1:30-2:00 PM Individual performance

2:00 2:15 Instructions/plan for 2017

2:15-2:45 Preparations for final activity:

2:45 3:00 Group performance

3:00-3:15 Feedback from everybody; ask around for resolutions for 2017

Closing message

Closing prayer

Picture picture Home Sweet Home

Role, Responsibilities and Qualities of a Good Song Leader/Cantor

The cantor is the catalytic link between the latent power and prayer of the music, and the
receptivity of the assembly to be moved by that power to an authentic response. The
cantor, through his or her genuine prayerfulness and engaging manner, is the link between
what the musicians are offering as a foundation for structured prayer, and what the
assembly contributes to the building of the Liturgy.

It is essential that everything about the cantor speak engagement!The way he or she
approaches the place from which they minister, the way they gesture the participation of
the people in the pews, the way they authentically pray the music--all this works to either
encourage of discourage the participation of the assembly.

Thorough knowledge of the music so that there can be constant eye contact with the
assembly, is critical. As cantors, we are LEADING the prayer, not READING it, and we
cannot engage the spirits of the people in the pews if we are glued to the music and
focusing on that instead of communicating with the people.

We cantors are communicating with the assembly, singing our prayer with the intent of
eliciting the prayer of the people to whom we are ministering.

In a deep sense, we cantors are feeding people, and, as we would want with any meal that
is a nourishing experience on all levels, our cheerfulness, our comfort with the music, our
ease with our leadership, our welcome to the assembly, our vulnerability, and our
strength--in short, our full humanity, must be a part of what we offer the people who come
to be fed.

This is a task of great responsibility, not to be taken lightly. The best food in the world can
become unpalatable if presented nervously, arrogantly, in-authentically, with uncertainty,
unconfidently, impersonally, or without genuine love. Our challenge as cantors is to make
sure that the nourishment of music and scripture so powerfully available in Liturgy truly
reach the hearts and souls that come to be fed each Sunday.

Qualities of a good cantor

1. Prepares ahead of time

2. Always, always in tune and in sync with the instrumentalist
3. Engaging to the congregation
4. Confident
5. Good diction
6. Comfortable with the microphone
7. Receptive to feedback
8. Seeks to learn more and improve oneself
9. Sings from the heart
10.Strong personal relationship with the Lord

1. Dual song leaders going forward

Cantor line up
1st Lin 2nd
set e Marlon set Marlon Fhe
Christi
Len Christian an Olga
Olg
a Carlo Carlo Line
Fhe Jhocef Jhocef Len

2. Responsibility for songs selection - assign each month to each song leader, George
to approve. 8 months, George will take care of special occasions Lent, Advent,
Christmas, Easter
a. February Line
b. March - George
c. April - George
d. May Jhocef
e. June - Fe
f. July - Carlo
g. August - Olga
h. September - Christian
i. October - Len
j. November - Marlon
k. December - George

3. Supporting when not leading

a. Come closer to the congregation
b. Harmonize, if necessary
 c. If lesser melody support, sing in unison
d. Sing louder

Sources for Hymn selection:

National Pastoral Musicians website: http://www.npm.org/Planning/index.html

Sunday readings http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011417.cfm

Guide to pronunciation

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

STYC Song leaders : Tips and Reminders

1. Always check the schedule sent to you earlier so you can plan and learn the songs
on your own in advance. This will help you increase your confidence in singing any
new songs rather than scrambling to learn a new song a few days before your
schedule.
2. Always come to practice early at 4:30. If you will be late or couldnt make it, inform
George ahead of time (mobile 537 7760)
3. Vocalize before coming to church. There are a lot of youtube links out there which
can help you. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9pwK21LJOo
4. If you know you are scheduled for song leader during Sunday, avoid excessive
drinking or eating on Saturday which may strain your voice.
5. Its hard to sing on a full stomach so if possible avoid having heavy lunch or snacks if
you are scheduled on any Sunday.
6. Learn proper way of breathing. Take a few deep breaths before singing. Your voice
will show when your heart is racing, if youre nervous or not confident with the song.
7. Read the song lyrics beforehand to internalize the content and be able to translate
the message through your song.
8. If you are not familiar with the tune, always make an effort to familiarize by listening
to the youtube links or recordings provided by George at least 5 times or until you
are confident with your singing
9. General tip when announcing songs during mass: speak softly but clearly. Dont
shout or speak too fast
10.Dont stop learning. Make it a habit to listen to music (especially liturgical music) a
few minutes each day to train your ear.
11.Take care of your voice. Avoid unnecessary shouting, loud singing and heavy
drinking especially a few days before your Sunday schedule.
12.Bear in mind and imagine God using you as His mouth to speak to His congregation
during the mass.
13.Use the below as a guide when announcing songs during the mass
Entrance:

Good evening. Please all rise and join the choir in singing our Entrance Hymn, page ___ of
your (Red Worship book, Green Catholic Book of Worship, Blue Sunday Supplemental
Song Book), (title of Song). page _ _ _

Offertory:
For our offertory hymn, please join the choir in singing ________, on page ___ of the (Red
Worship book, Green Catholic Book of Worship, Blue Sunday Supplemental Song Book),
(title of Song). page _

Communion:

For our Communion hymn, please join the choir in singing __________ found on page ____ of
the (Red Worship book, Green Catholic Book of Worship, Blue Sunday Supplemental
Song Book), (title of Song). page _ _ _

Recessional:

Normally Father Joe asks the congregation to stand and will just ask you of the song title,
so just say the title and begin singing.

After the recessional hymn you can say a little greeting such as Have a blessed Sunday
everyone for ordinary Sundays or Happy Easter Everyone or whatever suits the occasion.