Lector and Cantor Oral Communication Workshop
Church of Notre Dame Bethlehem
Presented by: Dr. Nichola D. Gutgold
May 6, 2006
Parish Statement:
We, the parishioners of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Roman Catholic Church, are a
Eucharistic community of faith. We are a pilgrim people, under the patronage of our
Blessed Mother Mary. As His apostles, we welcome all in Jesus Christ, share the good
news of salvation, worship together and serve God’s people. Inspired by the Holy Spirit,
we strive to help one another become all that God wants us to be.
Putting Your Best Voice Forward
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called the human voice the “organ of the soul.”
Just as your personality gives people an idea of the kind of person you are, your voice
creates an image that can either lend credibility to what you say or detract from your
message. Remember Lina Lamont in the film “Singin’ in the Rain”? Her voice (or lack
of a good one) created a big problem for her career. Here are some tips to help you
project well when you speak in church and other places.
1. Start with your breath (take a moment to notice your breath right now. How does
it feel? Shallow or deep? The first step toward improving your voice is to speak from
the diaphragm.
Exercise: Start by bending over from the waist as far as you are comfortable, with
arms dangling, jaw relaxed, and knees slightly bent. Notice how your breath begins at
the small of your back and moves out and around your waist, expanding outward with
each breath. Memorize those sensations. Now straighten up slightly with your hands
clasped in front of you, as though you were a golfer trying to make a putt. Again, notice
how the breath seems to begin at your back, through a bit higher this time, just above
your waist. The breath expands out and around, not up. Memorize these sensations.
2. Stand tall When your posture is correct, you have more room to expand the
diaphragm.
3. Use pauses generously (a pregnant pause) and regulate your rate. Just as “rests”
are important in a piece of music and blank spaces on a page are important to
graphic design, pauses are an important part of your speech pattern and rhythm.
Confident, polished speakers use pauses to add emphasis and meaning to their
message.
4. Find your best pitch When we are excited or nervous, we have a tendency to
raise the pitch. This isn’t a pleasing sound! Be conscious of your pitch and
practice lowering your pitch to make your voice sound richer, deeper and louder.
Remember to VARY your pitch. Interpret the words in the readings to add
meaning and impact to your message. For example, if the reading states: “Peter,
filled with the Holy Spirit, said:” What word or words would you emphasize by
varying your pitch?
5. Convey authority with your pitch The phrase: “Please sit down” can sound
more authoritative and dramatic (thus getting better results) if you emphasize the
words “PLEASE sit DOWN.” Notice how we can crank up the volume to
energize the audience, too.
PRESENTATIONAL POLISH:
1. Let your enthusiasm show in your face! You are reading the word of
God! Show your excitement for the privilege!
2. Maintain eye contact with your audience. Scan the room in sections,
but be careful not to fall into a repetitious scanning routine.
3. Speak with your whole body by using your arms to gesture and move
purposefully. Watch, however for distracting habits such as toe tapping,
heel grinding, swaying and shifting!
4. Practice, practice, practice! Most of us have access to a video camera.
The next time you lector or cantor, ask a family member or friend to
record you. When you view your tape, acknowledge your strengths and
some of the opportunities you have for improvement.
5. Dress neutrally. Try to wear solid colors or conservative prints so that
your clothing doesn’t speak louder than you!
Finally, take pride in your service to the Lord.
Thank you and God Bless you Always.
Warmest wishes! Nikki