H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music
H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music of JTS offers a three to five-year course of study that fosters spiritual growth while leading to cantorial ordination. As a member of the clergy, the cantor leads the community in prayer; teaches liturgy, music, and a love of Judaism to young and old; officiates at life cycle events; and serves as a spiritual model and source of comfort. Cantors are authorities on Jewish music for the Jewish and general community.
H. L. Miller Cantorial School and the College of Jewish Music are two schools devoted to Jewish musical studies; they train selected advanced students as hazzanim for congregational service or to be teachers of Jewish music, choral directors, composers, or scholars. H. L. Miller Cantorial School awards the diploma of hazzan, and the College of Jewish Music awards the master of Sacred Music degree (MSM). Students preparing for the cantorate are enrolled in both schools, and are expected to complete the diploma program and the master of Sacred Music degree simultaneously, preferably within a five-year period.
It should be noted that the curriculum of H. L. Miller Cantorial School and the degree programs of the College of Jewish Music require full-time attendance. Part-time and nonmatriculated students may be accepted for admission under special circumstances and by permission of the director.
The demands of a rapidly changing world call for new approaches to the way in which we train the next generation of hazzanim. While there are many congregations looking for the hazzan who will specialize in the musical and liturgical life of his or her congregants, there are many synagogues that are looking for the multifaceted hazzan who can serve the congregation in myriad ways. Likewise, there are students in our school who themselves are looking to find different ways to reach out and connect with kelal Yisra’el, including training as cantor-educators, cantor-pastors, and cantor–military chaplains.
H. L. Miller Cantorial School trains hazzanim to serve as both shelihei tzibbur (a representative of the community) and a spiritual agent. The curriculum of H. L. Miller Cantorial School provides opportunities for all students to build on their strengths and explore the needs of the contemporary congregation. “Tradition and change” has been the motto of the Conservative Movement for generations, and it certainly applies when looking at the future of the cantorate.
Faculty
DEAN OF THE DIVISION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP
Rabbi Ayelet Cohen
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Gerald Cohen
Adjunct Professor
Marsha Bryan Edelman
Adjunct Instructors
Joel Caplan
Perry Fine
Natasha Hirschhorn
Robert Kieval
Jacob Mendelson
Joyce Rosenzweig
Scott Stein
Coaches of Hazzanut
Rafi Frieder
Natasha Hirschhorn
Robert Kieval
Alberto Mizrahi
Richard Nadel
Shayna Postman
Azi Schwartz
Admissions Information
The decision to study for the cantorate is a serious one, but one that holds great excitement and opportunity. The chance to serve the Jewish community in such a rapidly changing environment is a thrilling and sacred task, and we at JTS are eager to help prepare you. Our world-class faculty, engaging students, and New York City location will all add to the depth and breadth of your cantorial training.
Below, you will find the information that you need to apply for admission to H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music.
Prerequisites
Basic Criteria:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
- A trained voice
- Background in music theory and sight singing
- Basic Hebrew proficiency
RELIGIOUS INFORMATION
H. L. Miller Cantorial School recognizes that prospective candidates may be at different points in their religious and spiritual journeys. The following list of religious commitments is an ideal. We hope that all of our students will achieve these goals over the course of the program.
- Belief that Torah—written and oral—is the inspired and authoritative guide to Jewish life
- Commitment to grant equal opportunity for men and women to study Torah, participate in the mitzvot, and assume leadership positions in the Jewish community
- Committed, questioning, and loving engagement with God
- Commitment to traditional communal prayer throughout the day, starting with tallit and tefillin at weekday Shaharit
- Commitment to observing kashrut
- Commitment to observing Shabbat and festivals
- Commitment to holiness in relationships, including halakhic and ethical parameters of sexual intimacy
- Commitment to uphold the Cantors Assembly’s Standards of Practice
- The practice of honest, ethical, and compassionate behavior toward other people
- Responsibility for the welfare of one’s fellow Jews
- Advocacy for a peaceful future for the State of Israel and its inhabitants
At the time of application, candidates must demonstrate that they are growing into these observances. We recognize that religious growth is not necessarily a linear progression. We hope to provide a safe space for students as they grow more Jewishly observant.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The Admissions Committee meets in February. Entrance examinations include an audition, individual interview, and tests aimed at determining musical aptitude and levels of Hebraic and general musical knowledge. Candidates for admission are requested to prepare two musical selections: one classical secular piece to be prepared for performance with piano accompaniment, and one prayer setting from the Jewish liturgy to be chanted a cappella.
The material necessary for application must be submitted by January 1 for February auditions. Submissions should include:
- A completed application form and the $65 fee
- Official transcripts of all post-secondary studies
- Elements of musical portfolio in mp3/mp4 format
- Official scores on the GRE aptitude tests
GOOD STANDING WITHIN H. L. MILLER CANTORIAL SCHOOL
The ideals and practices of Conservative Judaism are an integral part of the lifestyle and program of H. L. Miller Cantorial School. All students in the school are expected to be committed to and live an observant Jewish life. Standards of personal and professional conduct and interpersonal relations are a significant part of the tradition to which the school is committed. Accordingly, the director of H. L. Miller Cantorial School reserves the right to deny admission, registration, readmission, or ordination to any student who, in the judgment of the school’s Faculty Committee, is determined to be unsuitable to the profession of the cantorate.
COME MEET WITH US
We encourage you to learn more about H. L. Miller Cantorial School, and the director welcomes inquiries from Jews of all ages.
Preliminary discussions with potential candidates are a required part of the application process. It is best if these conversations with the director of admissions take place at least six months to one year before applying to H. L. Miller Cantorial School.
Contact us at (212) 678-8818 or at admissions@jtsa.edu to arrange your preliminary discussion.
Course of Study
Students acquire skills in the following areas: Hebrew; nusah, Jewish, and general music; Jewish studies; and professional skills.
The results of a Hebrew language placement examination will determine the courses a student will need to complete the modern Hebrew language requirement. Additionally, a semester of liturgical Hebrew and one of Biblical grammar are required for all students.
Four one-year courses in nusah are required. These courses are team-taught and consist of theory, practicum, and individual coaching sessions. Each year, students will participate in nusah presentations representative of their work in a simulated synagogue atmosphere. The nusah faculty and the director will evaluate performances and counsel the students.
Required courses in general music include ear training, music theory and harmony, choral conducting, choral singing, and piano. Students may be exempted from some of these courses on the basis of a proficiency examination and the permission of the instructor.
Fourth and fifth-year cantorial students will enroll in seminars as part of their professional skills training. These are yearlong joint seminars with their fellow senior rabbinical students.
Students are required to attend the weekly H. L. Miller Cantorial School Minyan and Mifgash.
In addition to their coursework, students are expected to continue their voice training privately with voice teachers, and are responsible for the costs involved over and above the costs of the program itself. To assist students in judging their vocal progress, the faculty will sit as a vocal board once each year. Students will be notified early in the term regarding dates and preparation for vocal board sessions.
Summer experiences are expected to include attendance at the North American Jewish Choral Festival, work at a Ramah camp, and a summer unit of CPE.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements include the successful completion of required courses, comprehensive examinations, and a recital in sacred and general music. Candidates for the academic degree and the diploma of hazzan are expected to complete all course work and examinations within five years. An extension of one year may be granted upon written application to the director.
Dual-Degree Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to expand and tailor their learning experience by crafting individualized study tracks at JTS and neighboring institutions, including Columbia University, Union Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, and Teachers College.
Students earn a master of Sacred Music degree as part of the H. L. Miller Cantorial School program. Those interested in the MA program of the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education or Gershon Kekst Graduate School, or in the certificate program of the Center for Pastoral Education, must apply separately to those programs once admitted to H. L. Miller Cantorial School. Credits earned in H. L. Miller Cantorial School may be applied toward these degrees.
WILLIAM DAVIDSON GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JEWISH EDUCATION
Students of H. L. Miller Cantorial School may earn a concurrent MA degree in Jewish Education while pursuing their cantorial studies. In addition to the courses required for the diploma of hazzan, please see the MA requirements in the Davidson School section. Students interested in this program are encouraged to meet with the director of H. L. Miller Cantorial School and the dean of The Davidson School as early as possible to outline the necessary course of study.
JOINT GERSHON KEKST GRADUATE SCHOOL MA/CANTORIAL ORDINATION PROGRAM
For details, please see the Special MA Programs in the Gershon Kekst Graduate School section.
COLLEGE OF JEWISH MUSIC
Our College of Jewish Music also offers the master of Sacred Music.
CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING
The certificate in Pastoral Care and Counseling represents an integrated pastoral care curriculum that includes academic learning, professional skills, and religious and personal identity formation. Students who are interested in preparing themselves for the world of professional chaplaincy will be in an excellent position to become leaders in the field. Students who wish to become clergy or religious professionals in agencies or schools will have the in-depth pastoral training to serve the needs of their congregants, clients, and students on a high level and with expertise in the rich pastoral resources of Judaism.
The new certificate in Pastoral Care and Counseling can be earned by anyone enrolled in any MA program at JTS.
View a more detailed description of the certificate program and its requirements.
Academic Standards
ATTENDANCE
Regular, punctual class attendance is required. Instructors shall have the right to stipulate attendance requirements within the first two weeks of the semester and to indicate the penalties that may result from failure to comply with these requirements.
GRADES
Grade point averages are computed on the following scale:
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A student may opt to take not more than one Pass/D/Fail in a given year. This option may not be used for Hebrew language requirements. Letter grades indicate the following: A, excellent; B, good; C, fair; D, poor; F, failure; R, auditor. No credit will be given for grades of C- or lower. A letter grade is assigned for each course unless (1) it is indicated at registration that a course will be graded only on a Pass/D/Fail basis; or (2) a request for Pass/D/Fail grading is submitted in accordance with the procedure outlined below.
Students electing to take courses on a Pass/D/Fail basis must indicate their preference at registration or on the appropriate form, which must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than two weeks after the first day of classes, the exact date to be indicated on the Academic Calendar. After this date, students may not alter the basis under which they have registered for their courses that semester.
- The grade of P will be assigned for students who have earned a letter grade of C- or higher.
- The grades of D and F will be so transcribed.
Once the grade of P has been recorded, the instructor’s letter grade will not be available to any individual, committee, or institution under any circumstances. The grade of AU will indicate that a student has registered for the course as an auditor and agreed to do all course work except a written paper and/or final examination. Such a course will neither yield academic credits nor meet departmental requirements. Once a grade has been received in the Office of the Registrar, it may be changed by the course instructor only upon written application by the instructor to the director. The director’s approval is required.
AUDITING
The grade AU signifies that the student has attended classes and completed all course work except for the final exam and/or paper. Students must notify the Office of the Registrar, in writing, by the date stipulated in the Academic Calendar, of their intention to audit. Failure to do so will mean that the course is being taken for credit. No credit will be given for courses taken for the grade AU; such courses will not count toward fulfilling the requirements for the degree. Priority will be given to students taking a course for credit; there are a limited number of spaces for students auditing.
INCOMPLETES
A student who, for compelling reasons (e.g., medical or family emergency), finds it necessary to postpone the submission of required course work may petition for the grade of Incomplete (INC).
The student must obtain a Request for Incomplete form from the Office of the Registrar. This form must contain all information requested, including a description of the work to be completed and the due date, which cannot be later than the date specified in the Academic Calendar. The form must be signed by the student, instructor, and director. The form should be returned to the Office of the Registrar. The last day to request an Incomplete and submit the form is indicated in the Academic Calendar. All outstanding course work must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the date specified in the Academic Calendar. Generally, this date is six weeks from the end of the final examination period. The Office of the Registrar shall record that the work has been submitted and provide a written receipt to the student for the work received. A copy of the receipt from the registrar should be brought to the H. L. Miller Cantorial School Office. The registrar will transmit the completed work to the instructor. The student is advised to retain a copy of all work submitted to the Office of the Registrar. If a student fails to submit the outstanding work to the Office of the Registrar by the specified due date, the grade of INC will be converted to the alternate letter grade previously submitted by the instructor. This alternate grade reflects the instructor’s assessment of a student’s performance, taking into account the fact that work is missing. Students should be aware that the missing work may have been counted as an F (or 0) in the computation of the final grade for the course. In special circumstances, the director has the authority to grant an extension for the submission of overdue work as long as it is agreeable to the instructor. This extension must be sent in writing by the director to the Office of the Registrar. Students may not request an INC for any course during the semester of their graduation.
REGISTRATION AND WITHDRAWAL
A student is expected to have registered for all courses by the date listed in the Academic Calendar.
With the permission of the dean or advisor, students may withdraw from a course by the date listed in the Academic Calendar.
Students who discontinue attendance in a course but who fail to withdraw formally within the designated period will receive the letter grade earned, usually an F, having completed only a portion of the class.
ACADEMIC PROBATION POLICY
An H. L. Miller Cantorial School student who receives in any one semester one grade of D (or lower) or two grades of C (or lower) will be placed on academic probation the following semester.
To be restored to good standing, a student must register for course work for the next semester equivalent to the number of credits that led to the probation, and may neither receive a grade lower than B- nor take an Incomplete during the semester of probation. Failure to meet this standard will constitute grounds for dismissal. The student shall have the right to appeal in accordance with the Student Disciplinary Procedures, available in the Office of the Registrar.
Students in H. L. Miller Cantorial School are permitted no more than two semesters of probation toward any degree.
ABSENCE FROM FINAL EXAMINATIONS
A student who, because of illness or personal emergency, cannot be present for a scheduled final examination must inform the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible and indicate the reasons for the absence. The Office of the Registrar will inform the instructor and the director of the student’s absence. The student must arrange with the instructor for a makeup examination if the student still cannot be present for the regularly scheduled makeup examination day. The instructor will inform the Office of the Registrar of the arrangement and provide the office with the exam so that it can be given to the student. Students may not request Incompletes in advance for an in-class final examination. The student must take the makeup examination as soon as possible, but no later than the date indicated in the Academic Calendar governing the completion of outstanding work.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Students who, for compelling reasons (e.g., medical or family emergencies), are unable to take courses or continue with appropriate academic progress in a particular semester may request a semester’s leave of absence from the director and must register for a leave of absence each semester until they resume their studies.
Cantorial students may apply for no more than two leaves of absence during their course of studies; additional restrictions may apply when simultaneously enrolled in an MA program. During the period of leave, a student may not take an examination, written or oral, be advised by the academic advisor, or submit any material for the completion of a degree. There will be a leave of absence fee for each semester.
TRANSFER CREDIT
Students in a graduate-level program of JTS may request transfer credit for graduate-level course work completed at another accredited institution, under the following conditions: (1) the grade being transferred must be B or higher; (2) the grade may not be more than 10 years old; (3) Hebrew courses are not subject to transfer credit; (4) the credit may not have been applied to another degree; and (5) credit must have the dean’s and advisor’s approval.
Ordination
Assuming good standing, as defined earlier, ordination as a hazzan will be conferred upon completion of all academic and other requirements.
Ordination will not be recommended if a grade of INC remains on the student’s record in a course required for completion of H. L. Miller Cantorial School’s degree program. Ordination takes place in May of each year at JTS’s Commencement Exercises. All students to be ordainedOrdination in any one year are expected to be present at all ceremonies on Commencement day. Students who complete academic requirements early in the year may receive a letter noting that fact, but they will be ordained only at the next Commencement Exercises.
Graduate Placement
Prior to investiture, the senior class of H. L. Miller Cantorial School meets with representatives of the Cantors Assembly to discuss procedures for placement.
Beit Shirah
The Beit Shirah (house of song) provides an informal outlet to explore sacred and secular Jewish music through its growing collection of scores, CDs, and LPs. The Beit Shirah is organized and run under the auspices of the Cantorial School Student Organization (CSSO).
