Cantorial School Curriculum at JSLI: Nurturing Future Cantors and focusing on REFORM liturgy
Joining JSLI’s Diverse Cantorial Community
Enrolling in JSLI’s Cantorial School means becoming part of a vibrant community, currently comprising over 200 Rabbis and eight Cantors. We foster a forward-thinking environment, ideal for modern Jewish Cantorial studies.
Comprehensive Two-Year Cantorial Program in REFORM liturgy
Our intensive two-year program culminates in ordination as Hazzan/Cantor, fully qualifying you to officiate at all Jewish and Interfaith holidays and life-cycle events. Learn Nusach to accompany Reform prayerbooks, “Mishkan T’filah and Mishkan Hanefesh.”
Join JSLI’s Rabbinical students in master classes on “Officiating at Jewish and Interfaith Weddings,” “Funerals,” “B’nai Mitzvah Ceremonies,” and “Baby Namings.”
Musical Modules of Study
The JSLI Cantorial School curriculum is divided into four major musical modules, each critical for cantorial proficiency:
- High Holidays
- Shabbat
- Weekdays
- Festivals
Mastery in leading services for each module is essential. Students receive mentoring in bi-monthly online classes from September through June, offering a balance of low-pressure learning and high-value education.
Practical Learning and Performance
Classes provide opportunities to sing and demonstrate progress, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Students progress chronologically through the modules while also participating in all JSLI Rabbinical Life-Cycle Courses, including officiating at weddings, funerals, B’nai Mitzvah services, and pastoral counseling.
Rich Musical Tradition
Our curriculum is rooted in Jewish musical tradition. Each module’s “nusach” (musical tradition) is carefully selected from the cantorial textbooks of renowned Hazzanim. These selections, emblematic of our liturgical music traditions, have been newly recorded to correspond with the notated music in the textbooks. The curriculum is designed to be accessible, whether or not students can play an instrument.
Enrollment Requirements
Prospective students should have a lovely singing voice and the ability to read simple music notation. Additionally, the ability to read Hebrew in a Siddur and Machzor is a prerequisite for enrolling in the Cantorial program.