Answer:
   
   Cantors in the Reform Movement are trained by [5]HUC-JIR's School of
   Sacred Music (SSM), established in New York in 1948. SSM's campus is
   adjacent to NYU, and offers the degree of Master of Sacred Music (MSM)
   to students who, upon graduation, receive formal investiture as Cantor
   and are eligible for membership in the [6]American Conference of
   Cantors.
   
   In order to be accepted to the SSM, applicants must demonstrate:
   
   Musical Competence: 
          A trained singing voice, an undergraduate degree (preferrably a
          BA with a major in music), competency in sight reading, ear
          training, keyboard harmony, and music theory.
          
   Hebrew Competence. 
          All cantorial students are expected to have completed at least
          one year of college Hebrew. All candidates participate in the
          first-year Hebrew immersion program at the HUC-JIR campus in
          Jerusalem.
          
   Personal characteristics. 
          Candidates for admission are expected to be committted Jews and
          to possses the necessary character and personality traits. They
          should enjoy public performance, engaging others in the act of
          worship, teaching adults and children, and dedicated to a life
          of learning and discovery.
          
   To apply, applicants require a autobiographical perspective on their
   life and the reasons for selecting the cantorate in addition to the
   usual transcripts, references, and medical forms. The process also
   includes an audition and a formal interview, as well as a
   psychological assessment. Information on the program can be found at
   [7]http://www.huc.edu/catalog/smny.html

Some parts © 2009 Advameg, Inc.