Course Requirements
Course Requirements
The following chart describes the courses and distributions required for cantorial ordination. Certain courses in each subject area are specifically required. Otherwise, there are distribution requirements indicating the number of courses to be completed in each subject. There may be additional requirements regarding the methodologies or approaches that should be represented among the courses within each subject area, as well as the level of study that should be attained within each subject.
NUSAH (19.0 pt)
Introduction to Modes
Shabbat I (2.0 pt)
Shabbat II (2.0 pt)
Shabbat III (2.0 pt)
Yamim Noraim I (2.0 pt)
Yamim Noraim II (2.0 pt)
Yamim Noraim III (2.0 pt)
Shalosh Regalim I (2.0 pt)
Shalosh Regalim II (2.0 pt)
L’Hol and Minor Festivals (2.0 pt)
CANTILLATION (3.0 pt)
Introduction to Cantilation
Shelosh Regalim (0.5 pt)
Esther (0.5 pt)
Eichah (0.5 pt)
Yamim Noraim (0.5 pt)
CONTEMPORARY REPERTOIRE (3.0 pt)
Friday Evening
Shabbat Morning
Yamim Noraim
PROFESSIONAL CANTORIAL CURRICULUM (11.0 pt)
Choir (5.0 pt)
Conducting
Introduction to the Cantorate (0.5 pt)
Jewish Music History
Music of the Life Cycle
Cantorial Recitative
Diverse Musical Traditions (1.5 pt)
(to be selected from: Artsong, Yiddish,
Sephardic, Israeli Music)
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS (7.0 pt)
Musical Skills III
Counseling I
Intro. Homiletics (0.5 pt)
Education II
Life Cycle I & II (2.0 pt)
Hospital Chaplaincy (0.5 pt)
Congregational Dynamics (0.5)
JEWISH STUDIES (20 pt)
Hebrew I & II (6.0 pt)
Introduction to Bible
Parashat Hashavua
Survey of Jewish History
Contemporary Jewish History
Personal Theology
Introduction to Liturgy
Shabbat Liturgy
Festival Liturgy
Liturgy of Yamim Noraim
Tefillah and Seminar (2.0 pt)
Introduction to Halakha
Introduction to Mishnah
Spirituality Elective
ELECTIVE STUDY (2.0 pt)
TOTAL: 65.0 points
All nusah classes meet twice weekly, with one didactic session, and one ‘lab/coaching’ session to review and hone the application of the material covered. Attendance at both sessions is required.