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Cantor (Christianity)
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christianity</a>, the cantor, female chantress, sometimes called the <a href="/facts/Precentor/zqsKwyPU">precentor</a> or the protopsaltes , is the chief singer, and usually instructor, employed at a church, with responsibilities for the <a href="/facts/Choir/kzLHDhPh">choir</a> and the preparation of the <a href="/facts/Mass_(liturgy)/UHjHxwlh">Mass</a> or <a href="/facts/Church_service/G3aYpe6T">worship service</a>. The term is also used for a <a href="/facts/Cantor_in_Reform_Judaism/WkcIcaTF">similar task in Reform Judaism</a> and in <a href="/facts/Ancient_Egypt/BDsEGK4g">Ancient Egypt</a>. </p><p>Generally, a cantor must be competent to choose and conduct the vocals for the choir, to start any <a href="/facts/Chant/WUXJtIvJ">chant</a> on demand, and to be able to identify and correct the missteps of singers placed under them. A cantor may be responsible for the immediate rendering of the music, showing the course of the <a href="/facts/Melody/5TR3IE3Y">melody</a> by movements of the hand(s) (<i>cheironomia</i>), similar to a <a href="/facts/Conductor_(music)/PaK3wlgP">conductor</a>. </p>