The Cantor-Educator Program

Designed to prepare cantors who are educator-scholars as well as spiritual leaders, Hebrew College's Cantor-Educator Program combines coursework leading to both a Master of Jewish Education (MJEd) and Cantorial Ordination within a transdenominational setting.

Graduates of the CANTOR-EDUCATOR PROGRAM will be trained to fulfill all aspects of Jewish education within the synagogue as well as to become outstanding musicians and liturgical scholars. This comprehensive approach is necessitated by the evolving role of cantors in American congregations. In addition to leading congregational prayer, cantors are often required to train bar and bat mitzvah students as well as to conduct community education classes, direct religious and nursery schools or oversee adult education programs. These expanded responsibilities are becoming more common among small and mid-sized congregations.

The intensive curriculum—offered through Hebrew College's JEWISH MUSIC INSTITUTE and SHOOLMAN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JEWISH EDUCATION—combines courses in Jewish music, cantorial arts, Jewish education, Jewish studies and Hebrew language. Students will complete two professional internships, as hazzanim and as Jewish educators, as well as choral performance internships with either the Zamir Chorale of Boston or Koleinu: The Jewish Community Chorus of Boston, both based at Hebrew College. They will also be required to complete a final project that combines the two fields, or separate final projects in each area of expertise. A series of professional seminars will enable students to explore the intersection between the cantorate and Jewish education.

The text study and courses in pedagogy are balanced by intensive training in musicology, voice, choral conducting and instrumental performance. Students must demonstrate competence in either piano or guitar, or both. Headed by Hazzan Scott M. Sokol, PhD, dean of the JEWISH MUSIC INSTITUTE and director of the CANTOR-EDUCATOR PROGRAM, the faculty team of eminent scholars, cantors and educators includes Dr. Joshua Jacobson, whose book, Chanting the Hebrew Bible: The Art of Cantillation (JPSA, 2002), is considered the definitive work in the field; Hazzan Jeffrey Klepper, a leading composer of contemporary synagogue music; Hazzan Brian Mayer, DSM, eminent scholar of Ashkenazic nusah; and Hazzan Charles Osborne, distinguished vocal artist and composer of Jewish works. Hazzan Lori Salzman and Hazzan Jeff Stock round out the faculty.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Most students will complete the program in five years of full-time study. A rigorous part-time option requires eight years. The Cantor- Educator Program requires a total of 159 credits distributed as follows: 6 credits in Hebrew, 33 credits in Jewish Studies, 32 credits in Education, 39 credits in Cantorial Studies, 24 credits in Music and 12 credits in Professional Studies.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

	Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university
	Application form and essays
	Three letters of recommendation
	Official GRE score report
	Official TOEFL score report, if required
	Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions from the issuing institution
	Interview, vocal audition and placement exams in Hebrew and musicianship

GUIDELINES AND DEADLINES FOR ADMISSION

SCHEDULE
Most students will complete the program in five years of full-time study. A rigorous part-time option requires eight years.

For more information about the CANTOR-EDUCATOR PROGRAM, please contact the Office of Admissions at Hebrew College, 617-559-8610 or admissions@hebrewcollege.edu.

Download this information [PDF - 208k]

Renaissance Cantors Learn more about our innovative Cantor-Educator program in the Winter 2005 issue of Hebrew College Today . . .