Precentor
an officer in a cathedral, formerly sometimes called chaunter, and ranking in dignity next to the dean. His stall is on the opposite (N.) side of the choir, and that side is called cantoris side, the side of the cantor, as the other is called decani, the side of the dean.
He has the direction of the musical portion of the service. The precentor is, in cathedrals of the new foundations, a minor canon, and is removable by the dean and chapter.