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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