Succentor

{{Use Oxford spelling|date=December 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}

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The succentor ("under-singer"{{cite web|url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/succentor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716021004/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/succentor|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2012|title=Succentor: definition of succentor in Oxford Dictionary (British & World English)|accessdate=2014-04-08|work=Oxford Dictionaries Online}}) is the assistant to the precentor, typically in an ancient cathedral foundation, helping with the preparation and conduct of the liturgy including psalms, preces and responses. In English cathedrals today, the priest responsible for liturgy and music is usually the precentor, but some cathedrals, such as St Paul's, Southwark Cathedral,{{Cite web |title=The Clergy |url=https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/about-us/whos-who/the-clergy/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=Southwark Cathedral |language=en}} Durham, and Christ Church, Oxford,{{cite web|url=https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/news/cathedral/new-succentor-cathedral|title=New Succentor for Cathedral}} retain a succentor as well. Lichfield used the title subchanter.seen in Latin: "succentor" Robert Merford in 1421; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/H5/CP40no641/bCP40no641dorses/IMG_1238.htm Westminster Abbey also retains the tradition; Brecon Cathedral previously had only a succentor, and no precentor, but this changed in 2022 with the appointment of The Rev'd Canon Steven Griffith to the post of precentor.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/BreconCathedral/posts/canon-steven-griffith-has-been-installed-as-the-residentiary-canon-and-precentor/5424117974275587/ |title=Canon Steven Griffith has been installed as the... |date=23 June 2022 |website=Facebook |publisher=Brecon Cathedral |access-date=10 August 2024}}{{cite web|url=http://www.breconcathedral.org.uk/whos_who/whos_who.php|title=Who's Who? : Brecon Cathedral|work=Brecon Cathedral website|accessdate=2014-04-08|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409002319/http://www.breconcathedral.org.uk/whos_who/whos_who.php|archivedate=2014-04-09}} The only succentor in Australia is at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.https://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/2025/01/steadfast-young-minister-appointed-as-australias-first-ever-succentor/ The succentor is normally a minor canon.{{cite web|url=http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerID=10977T1S5PwMn6r8mo2a4caoKgTFHhqu |title=St Paul's personnel |accessdate=2007-04-19 |work=St Paul's Cathedral website |publisher=The Dean and Chapter of St Paul's |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322010358/http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerID=10977T1S5PwMn6r8mo2a4caoKgTFHhqu |archivedate=2007-03-22 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/introduction/people|title=Who's who|accessdate=2007-04-19|work=Durham Cathedral website|publisher=Chapter of Durham Cathedral|year=2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009145317/http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/introduction/people|archivedate=2006-10-09}}

Radley College appears to be unique in having a lay succentor, who is the college organist and assistant to the lay precentor, the director of music.{{cite web|url=http://www.radley.org.uk/EmailDirectory.aspx|title=Email Directory - Radley College|accessdate=2014-04-08|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213621/http://www.radley.org.uk/EmailDirectory.aspx|archivedate=2014-04-08}}