diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py
index 698cc8359..bea4213e8 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/forms.py
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 from django import forms
 from django.contrib.auth.forms import ReadOnlyPasswordHashField
+from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
+from django.db.models import Q
+from django.contrib.admin.widgets import (
+    FilteredSelectMultiple,
+)
+from django.forms.widgets import CheckboxSelectMultiple
+from dal import autocomplete
+from volpiano_display_utilities.cantus_text_syllabification import syllabify_text
+from volpiano_display_utilities.latin_word_syllabification import LatinError
 from .models import (
     Chant,
     Service,
@@ -22,13 +31,6 @@
     SelectWidget,
     CheckboxWidget,
 )
-from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
-from django.db.models import Q
-from django.contrib.admin.widgets import (
-    FilteredSelectMultiple,
-)
-from django.forms.widgets import CheckboxSelectMultiple
-from dal import autocomplete
 
 # ModelForm allows to build a form directly from a model
 # see https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/3.0/topics/forms/modelforms/
@@ -71,6 +73,40 @@ def label_from_instance(self, obj):
     widget = CheckboxSelectMultiple()
 
 
+
+class CantusDBLatinField(forms.CharField):
+    """
+    A custom CharField for chant text fields. Validates that the text
+    can be syllabified (essentially, that it does not have any improper
+    characters).
+    """
+
+    def validate(self, value):
+        super().validate(value)
+        if value:
+            try:
+                syllabify_text(value)
+            except LatinError as err:
+                raise forms.ValidationError(str(err))
+            except ValueError as exc:
+                raise forms.ValidationError("Invalid characters in text.") from exc
+
+
+class CantusDBSyllabifiedLatinField(forms.CharField):
+    """
+    A custom CharField for chant syllabified text fields. Validates that the text
+    can be syllabified (essentially, that it does not have any improper
+    characters).
+    """
+
+    def validate(self, value):
+        super().validate(value)
+        if value:
+            try:
+                syllabify_text(value, text_presyllabified=True)
+            except ValueError as exc:
+                raise forms.ValidationError("Invalid characters in text.") from exc
+
 class StyledChoiceField(forms.ChoiceField):
     """
     A custom ChoiceField that uses the custom SelectWidget defined in widgets.py
@@ -80,6 +116,7 @@ class StyledChoiceField(forms.ChoiceField):
     widget = SelectWidget()
 
 
+
 class ChantCreateForm(forms.ModelForm):
     class Meta:
         model = Chant
@@ -134,8 +171,8 @@ class Meta:
             "finalis": TextInputWidget(),
             "extra": TextInputWidget(),
             "chant_range": VolpianoInputWidget(),
-            # manuscript_full_text_std_spelling: defined below (required)
-            "manuscript_full_text": TextAreaWidget(),
+            # manuscript_full_text_std_spelling: defined below (required & special field)
+            # "manuscript_full_text": defined below (special field)
             "volpiano": VolpianoAreaWidget(),
             "image_link": TextInputWidget(),
             "melody_id": TextInputWidget(),
@@ -162,14 +199,18 @@ class Meta:
         help_text="Each folio starts with '1'.",
     )
 
-    manuscript_full_text_std_spelling = forms.CharField(
+    manuscript_full_text_std_spelling = CantusDBLatinField(
+        widget=TextAreaWidget,
+        help_text=Chant._meta.get_field("manuscript_full_text_std_spelling").help_text,
+        label="Full text as in Source (standardized spelling)",
         required=True,
+    )
+
+    manuscript_full_text = CantusDBLatinField(
         widget=TextAreaWidget,
-        help_text="Manuscript full text with standardized spelling. Enter the words "
-        "according to the manuscript but normalize their spellings following "
-        "Classical Latin forms. Use upper-case letters for proper nouns, "
-        'the first word of each chant, and the first word after "Alleluia" for '
-        "Mass Alleluias. Punctuation is omitted.",
+        label="Full text as in Source (source spelling)",
+        help_text=Chant._meta.get_field("manuscript_full_text").help_text,
+        required=False,
     )
 
     project = SelectWidgetNameModelChoiceField(
@@ -318,8 +359,8 @@ class Meta:
             "rubrics",
         ]
         widgets = {
-            # manuscript_full_text_std_spelling: defined below (required)
-            "manuscript_full_text": TextAreaWidget(),
+            # manuscript_full_text_std_spelling: defined below (required) & special field
+            # manuscript_full_text: defined below (special field)
             "volpiano": VolpianoAreaWidget(),
             "marginalia": TextInputWidget(),
             # folio: defined below (required)
@@ -353,14 +394,18 @@ class Meta:
             "rubrics": TextInputWidget(),
         }
 
-    manuscript_full_text_std_spelling = forms.CharField(
+    manuscript_full_text_std_spelling = CantusDBLatinField(
+        widget=TextAreaWidget,
+        help_text=Chant._meta.get_field("manuscript_full_text_std_spelling").help_text,
+        label="Full text as in Source (standardized spelling)",
         required=True,
+    )
+
+    manuscript_full_text = CantusDBLatinField(
         widget=TextAreaWidget,
-        help_text="Manuscript full text with standardized spelling. Enter the words "
-        "according to the manuscript but normalize their spellings following "
-        "Classical Latin forms. Use upper-case letters for proper nouns, "
-        'the first word of each chant, and the first word after "Alleluia" for '
-        "Mass Alleluias. Punctuation is omitted.",
+        label="Full text as in Source (source spelling)",
+        help_text=Chant._meta.get_field("manuscript_full_text").help_text,
+        required=False,
     )
 
     folio = forms.CharField(
@@ -531,10 +576,14 @@ class Meta:
             "manuscript_full_text",
             "manuscript_syllabized_full_text",
         ]
-        widgets = {
-            "manuscript_full_text": TextAreaWidget(),
-            "manuscript_syllabized_full_text": TextAreaWidget(),
-        }
+
+    manuscript_full_text = CantusDBLatinField(
+        widget=TextAreaWidget, label="Full text as in Source (source spelling)"
+    )
+
+    manuscript_syllabized_full_text = CantusDBSyllabifiedLatinField(
+        widget=TextAreaWidget, label="Syllabized full text"
+    )
 
 
 class AdminCenturyForm(forms.ModelForm):
@@ -714,6 +763,15 @@ class Meta:
     #     help_text="RISM-style siglum + Shelf-mark (e.g. GB-Ob 202).",
     # )
 
+
+    shelfmark = forms.CharField(
+        required=True,
+        widget=TextInputWidget,
+    )
+
+    name = forms.CharField(required=False, widget=TextInputWidget)
+
+
     holding_institution = forms.ModelChoiceField(
         queryset=Institution.objects.all().order_by("city", "name"),
         required=False,
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html
index 5aec5de03..4b29bb0bb 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_create.html
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ <h3>Create Chant</h3>
     
         <div class="form-row align-items-end">
             <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg">
-                <label for="{{ form.manuscript_full_text_std_spelling.id_for_label }}"><small>Full text as in Source (standardized spelling):<span class="text-danger" title="This field is required">*</span></small></label>
+                <label for="{{ form.manuscript_full_text_std_spelling.id_for_label }}" class="small">{{ form.manuscript_full_text_std_spelling.label_tag }}<span class="text-danger" title="This field is required">*</span></label>
                 {{ form.manuscript_full_text_std_spelling }}
                 <p>
                     <small class="text-muted">{{ form.manuscript_full_text_std_spelling.help_text }}
@@ -241,8 +241,7 @@ <h3>Create Chant</h3>
 
         <div class="form-row align-items-end">
             <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg">
-                <label for="{{ form.manuscript_full_text.id_for_label }}"><small>Full text as in Source
-                        (source spelling): </small></label>
+                <label for="{{ form.manuscript_full_text.id_for_label }}" class="small">{{ form.manuscript_full_text.label_tag }}</label>
                 {{ form.manuscript_full_text }}
                 <p class="text-muted" style="line-height: normal">
                     <small>{{ form.manuscript_full_text.help_text }}
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html
index 038eef616..47860c7d5 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_edit.html
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
     <!--Display messages -->
     {% for message in messages %}
         <div class="alert {{ message.tags }} alert-dismissible" role="alert" >
+            <a href="#" class="close" data-dismiss="alert" aria-label="close">&times;</a>
             {{ message }}
         </div>
     {% endfor %}
@@ -283,25 +284,33 @@
                             <p><small>Syllabification is based on saved syllabized text.</small></p>
                         {% endif %}
                         <dd>
-                            {% for syl_text, syl_mel in syllabized_text_with_melody %}
-                                <span style="float: left">
-                                    <div style="font-family: volpiano; font-size: 36px">{{ syl_mel }}</div>
-                                    <!-- "mt" is margin at the top, so that the lowest note in volpiano don't overlap with text -->
-                                    <div class="mt-2" style="font-size: 12px; "><pre>{{ syl_text }}</pre></div>
-                                </span>
-                            {% endfor %}
+                            {% if syllabized_text_with_melody %}
+                                {% for syl_text, syl_mel in syllabized_text_with_melody %}
+                                    <span style="float: left">
+                                        <div style="font-family: volpiano; font-size: 36px">{{ syl_mel }}</div>
+                                        <!-- "mt" is margin at the top, so that the lowest note in volpiano don't overlap with text -->
+                                        <div class="mt-2" style="font-size: 12px; "><pre>{{ syl_text }}</pre></div>
+                                    </span>
+                                {% endfor %}
+                            {% else %}
+                                <p>Error aligning text and melody. Please check text for invalid characters.</p>
+                            {% endif %}
                         </dd>
                     </div>
                 </div>
             {% endif %}
 
-            <div class="form-row">
-                <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
-                    <a href="{% url "source-edit-syllabification" chant.id %}" style="display: inline-block; margin-top:5px;" target="_blank">
-                        <small>Edit syllabification (new window)</small>
-                    </a>
+            <!-- If there's no syllabized_text_with_melody (either there's no volpiano to align or there's an
+             error in the text), there's no need for the user to edit the syllabification. -->
+            {% if syllabized_text_with_melody %}
+                <div class="form-row">
+                    <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-4">
+                        <a href="{% url "source-edit-syllabification" chant.id %}" style="display: inline-block; margin-top:5px;" target="_blank">
+                            <small>Edit syllabification (new window)</small>
+                        </a>
+                    </div>
                 </div>
-            </div>
+            {% endif %}
 
             <div class="form-row">
                 <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-12">
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_syllabification_edit.html b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_syllabification_edit.html
index 446afd73a..65b49f09f 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_syllabification_edit.html
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/templates/chant_syllabification_edit.html
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
             <!--Display messages -->
             {% for message in messages %}
                 <div class="alert {{ message.tags }} alert-dismissible" role="alert" >
+                    <a href="#" class="close" data-dismiss="alert" aria-label="close">&times;</a>s
                     {{ message }}
                 </div>
             {% endfor %}
@@ -37,8 +38,8 @@ <h3>Edit Syllabification</h3>
 
                 <div class="form-row">
                     <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-12">
-                        <label for="{{ form.manuscript_full_text.id_for_label }}">
-                            <small><b>Manuscript Reading Full Text (MS spelling):</b></small>
+                        <label for="{{ form.manuscript_full_text.id_for_label }}" class="small font-weight-bold">
+                            {{ form.manuscript_full_text.label_tag }}
                         </label>
                         {{ form.manuscript_full_text }}
                     </div>
@@ -46,8 +47,8 @@ <h3>Edit Syllabification</h3>
 
                 <div class="form-row">
                     <div class="form-group m-1 col-lg-12">
-                        <label for="{{ form.manuscript_syllabized_full_text.id_for_label }}">
-                            <small><b>Syllabized Full Text:</b></small>
+                        <label for="{{ form.manuscript_syllabized_full_text.id_for_label }}" class="small font-weight-bold">
+                            {{ form.manuscript_syllabized_full_text.label_tag }}
                         </label>
                         {{ form.manuscript_syllabized_full_text }}
                     </div>
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/tests/test_views/test_chant.py b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/tests/test_views/test_chant.py
index 706cfaba0..d91ef212c 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/tests/test_views/test_chant.py
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/tests/test_views/test_chant.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 from unittest.mock import patch
 import random
+from typing import ClassVar
 
 from django.test import TestCase, Client
 from django.urls import reverse
@@ -112,12 +113,11 @@ def test_chant_edit_link(self):
         )
 
         # have to create project manager user - "View | Edit" toggle only visible for those with edit access for a chant's source
-        self.user = get_user_model().objects.create(email="test@test.com")
-        self.user.set_password("pass")
-        self.user.save()
-        self.client = Client()
+        pm_user = get_user_model().objects.create(email="test@test.com")
+        pm_user.set_password("pass")
+        pm_user.save()
         project_manager = Group.objects.get(name="project manager")
-        project_manager.user_set.add(self.user)
+        project_manager.user_set.add(pm_user)
         self.client.login(email="test@test.com", password="pass")
 
         response = self.client.get(reverse("chant-detail", args=[chant.id]))
@@ -164,7 +164,6 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.user = get_user_model().objects.create(email="test@test.com")
         self.user.set_password("pass")
         self.user.save()
-        self.client = Client()
         project_manager = Group.objects.get(name="project manager")
         project_manager.user_set.add(self.user)
         self.client.login(email="test@test.com", password="pass")
@@ -323,6 +322,44 @@ def test_proofread_chant(self):
         chant.refresh_from_db()
         self.assertIs(chant.manuscript_full_text_std_proofread, True)
 
+    def test_invalid_text(self) -> None:
+        """
+        The user should not be able to create a chant with invalid text
+        (either invalid characters or unmatched brackets).
+        Instead, the user should be shown an error message.
+        """
+        source = make_fake_source()
+        with self.subTest("Chant with invalid characters"):
+            response = self.client.post(
+                reverse("source-edit-chants", args=[source.id]),
+                {
+                    "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling": "this is a ch@nt t%xt with inv&lid ch!ra+ers",
+                    "folio": "001r",
+                    "c_sequence": "1",
+                },
+            )
+            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+            self.assertFormError(
+                response.context["form"],
+                "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling",
+                "Invalid characters in text.",
+            )
+        with self.subTest("Chant with unmatched brackets"):
+            response = self.client.post(
+                reverse("source-edit-chants", args=[source.id]),
+                {
+                    "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling": "this is a chant with [ unmatched brackets",
+                    "folio": "001r",
+                    "c_sequence": "1",
+                },
+            )
+            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+            self.assertFormError(
+                response.context["form"],
+                "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling",
+                "Word [ contains non-alphabetic characters.",
+            )
+
 
 class ChantEditSyllabificationViewTest(TestCase):
     @classmethod
@@ -363,7 +400,10 @@ def test_edit_syllabification(self):
         self.assertEqual(chant.manuscript_syllabized_full_text, "lorem ipsum")
         response = self.client.post(
             f"/edit-syllabification/{chant.id}",
-            {"manuscript_syllabized_full_text": "lore-m i-psum"},
+            {
+                "manuscript_full_text": "lorem ipsum",
+                "manuscript_syllabized_full_text": "lore-m i-psum",
+            },
         )
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 302)  # 302 Found
         chant.refresh_from_db()
@@ -501,7 +541,8 @@ def test_filter_by_melody(self):
             source=source,
             volpiano=make_fake_volpiano(),
         )
-        chant_without_melody = Chant.objects.create(source=source)
+        # Create a chant without a melody
+        Chant.objects.create(source=source)
         response = self.client.get(reverse("chant-search"), {"melodies": "true"})
         # only chants with melodies should be in the result
         self.assertEqual(len(response.context["chants"]), 1)
@@ -553,9 +594,11 @@ def test_search_bar_search(self):
             manuscript_full_text="Full text contains, but does not start with 'the'",
             cantus_id="123456",
         )
-        chant_starting_with_a_number = make_fake_chant(
+        # Create a chant starting with a number that won't be found by either
+        # search term
+        make_fake_chant(
             manuscript_full_text=(
-                "1 is a number. " "How unusual, to find an arabic numeral in a chant!"
+                "1 is a number. How unusual, to find an arabic numeral in a chant!"
             ),
             cantus_id="234567",
         )
@@ -1370,7 +1413,7 @@ def test_column_header_links(self):
         # additional properties for which there are search fields
         feast = make_fake_feast()
         position = make_random_string(1)
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext,
             service=service,
             genre=genre,
@@ -1527,7 +1570,7 @@ def test_feast_column(self):
         url = feast.get_absolute_url()
         fulltext = "manuscript full text"
         search_term = "full"
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext,
             feast=feast,
@@ -1551,7 +1594,7 @@ def test_service_column(self):
         url = service.get_absolute_url()
         fulltext = "manuscript full text"
         search_term = "full"
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext,
             service=service,
@@ -1575,7 +1618,7 @@ def test_genre_column(self):
         url = genre.get_absolute_url()
         fulltext = "manuscript full text"
         search_term = "full"
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext,
             genre=genre,
@@ -1818,7 +1861,8 @@ def test_filter_by_melody(self):
             source=source,
             volpiano=make_fake_volpiano,
         )
-        chant_without_melody = Chant.objects.create(source=source)
+        # Create a chant without melody that won't be in the result
+        Chant.objects.create(source=source)
         response = self.client.get(
             reverse("chant-search-ms", args=[source.id]), {"melodies": "true"}
         )
@@ -1836,11 +1880,11 @@ def test_keyword_search_starts_with(self):
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
-        chant_2 = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
-        chant_3 = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="lazy brown fox jumps quick over the dog",
         )
@@ -1859,7 +1903,8 @@ def test_keyword_search_contains(self):
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="Quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
-        chant_2 = make_fake_chant(
+        # Make a chant that won't be returned by the search term
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
@@ -1885,11 +1930,11 @@ def test_indexing_notes_search_starts_with(self):
             source=source,
             indexing_notes="quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
-        chant_2 = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             indexing_notes="brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
-        chant_3 = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             indexing_notes="lazy brown fox jumps quick over the dog",
         )
@@ -1908,7 +1953,8 @@ def test_indexing_notes_search_contains(self):
             source=source,
             indexing_notes="Quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
-        chant_2 = make_fake_chant(
+        # Make a chant that won't be returned by the search term
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             indexing_notes="brown fox jumps over the lazy dog",
         )
@@ -1931,13 +1977,13 @@ def test_keyword_search_searching_all_fields(self):
         doesnt_include_search_term = "longevity is the soul of wit"
         source = make_fake_source()
 
-        chant_ms_spelling = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text=includes_search_term,  # <== includes_search_term
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=doesnt_include_search_term,
         )
 
-        chant_std_spelling = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text=doesnt_include_search_term,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=includes_search_term,  # <==
@@ -1954,7 +2000,8 @@ def test_keyword_search_searching_all_fields(self):
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=None,
         )
 
-        chant_without_search_term = make_fake_chant(
+        # This chant contains no search terms
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text=doesnt_include_search_term,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=doesnt_include_search_term,
@@ -2343,7 +2390,7 @@ def test_column_header_links(self):
         # additional properties for which there are search fields
         feast = make_fake_feast()
         position = make_random_string(1)
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             service=service,
             genre=genre,
             cantus_id=cantus_id,
@@ -2449,9 +2496,7 @@ def test_source_link_column(self):
         url = source.get_absolute_url()
         fulltext = "manuscript full text"
         search_term = "full"
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
-            source=source, manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext
-        )
+        make_fake_chant(source=source, manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext)
         response = self.client.get(
             reverse("chant-search-ms", args=[source.id]),
             {"keyword": search_term, "op": "contains"},
@@ -2487,7 +2532,7 @@ def test_feast_column(self):
         url = feast.get_absolute_url()
         fulltext = "manuscript full text"
         search_term = "full"
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext,
             feast=feast,
@@ -2512,7 +2557,7 @@ def test_service_column(self):
         url = service.get_absolute_url()
         fulltext = "manuscript full text"
         search_term = "full"
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext,
             service=service,
@@ -2537,7 +2582,7 @@ def test_genre_column(self):
         url = genre.get_absolute_url()
         fulltext = "manuscript full text"
         search_term = "full"
-        chant = make_fake_chant(
+        make_fake_chant(
             source=source,
             manuscript_full_text_std_spelling=fulltext,
             genre=genre,
@@ -2699,37 +2744,62 @@ def test_image_link_column(self):
         self.assertIn(f'<a href="{image_link}" target="_blank">Image</a>', html)
 
 
+@patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get)
 class ChantCreateViewTest(TestCase):
+    source: ClassVar[Source]
+
     @classmethod
     def setUpTestData(cls):
-        Group.objects.create(name="project manager")
+        # Create project manager and contributor users
+        prod_manager_group = Group.objects.create(name="project manager")
+        contributor_group = Group.objects.create(name="contributor")
+        user_model = get_user_model()
+        pm_usr = user_model.objects.create_user(email="pm@test.com", password="pass")
+        pm_usr.groups.set([prod_manager_group])
+        pm_usr.save()
+        contributor_usr = user_model.objects.create_user(
+            email="contrib@test.com", password="pass"
+        )
+        contributor_usr.groups.set([contributor_group])
+        contributor_usr.save()
+        # Create a fake source that the contributor user can edit
+        cls.source = make_fake_source()
+        cls.source.current_editors.add(contributor_usr)
+        cls.source.save()
 
     def setUp(self):
-        self.user = get_user_model().objects.create(email="test@test.com")
-        self.user.set_password("pass")
-        self.user.save()
-        self.client = Client()
-        project_manager = Group.objects.get(name="project manager")
-        project_manager.user_set.add(self.user)
-        self.client.login(email="test@test.com", password="pass")
-
-    def test_url_and_templates(self):
-        source = make_fake_source()
+        # Log in as a contributor before each test
+        self.client.login(email="contrib@test.com", password="pass")
+
+    def test_permissions(self) -> None:
+        # The client starts logged in as a contributor
+        # with access to the source. Test that the client
+        # can access the ChantCreate view.
+        with self.subTest("Contributor can access ChantCreate view"):
+            response = self.client.get(reverse("chant-create", args=[self.source.id]))
+            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        with self.subTest("Project manager can access ChantCreate view"):
+            # Log in as a project manager
+            self.client.logout()
+            self.client.login(email="pm@test.com", password="pass")
+            response = self.client.get(reverse("chant-create", args=[self.source.id]))
+            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        with self.subTest("Unauthenticated user cannot access ChantCreate view"):
+            # Log out
+            self.client.logout()
+            response = self.client.get(reverse("chant-create", args=[self.source.id]))
+            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 302)
 
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            response_1 = self.client.get(reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]))
-            response_2 = self.client.get(
-                reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id + 100])
-            )
+    def test_url_and_templates(self) -> None:
+        source = self.source
+        response_1 = self.client.get(reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]))
 
         self.assertEqual(response_1.status_code, 200)
         self.assertTemplateUsed(response_1, "chant_create.html")
+        self.assertTemplateUsed(response_1, "base.html")
 
-        self.assertEqual(response_2.status_code, 404)
-        self.assertTemplateUsed(response_2, "404.html")
-
-    def test_create_chant(self):
-        source = make_fake_source()
+    def test_create_chant(self) -> None:
+        source = self.source
         response = self.client.post(
             reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
             {
@@ -2740,40 +2810,37 @@ def test_create_chant(self):
         )
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 302)
         self.assertRedirects(response, reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]))
-        chant = Chant.objects.first()
+        chant = Chant.objects.get(source=source)
         self.assertEqual(chant.manuscript_full_text_std_spelling, "initial")
 
-    def test_view_url_path(self):
-        source = make_fake_source()
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            response = self.client.get(f"/chant-create/{source.id}")
+    def test_view_url_path(self) -> None:
+        source = self.source
+        response = self.client.get(f"/chant-create/{source.id}")
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
-    def test_context(self):
-        """some context variable passed to templates"""
-        source = make_fake_source()
+    def test_context(self) -> None:
+        """Test that correct source is in context"""
+        source = self.source
         url = reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id])
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            response = self.client.get(url)
-        self.assertEqual(response.context["source"].title, source.title)
+        response = self.client.get(url)
+        self.assertEqual(response.context["source"].id, source.id)
 
-    def test_post_error(self):
+    def test_empty_fulltext(self) -> None:
         """post with correct source and empty full-text"""
-        source = make_fake_source()
+        source = self.source
         url = reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id])
         response = self.client.post(url, data={"manuscript_full_text_std_spelling": ""})
         self.assertFormError(
-            response,
-            "form",
+            response.context["form"],
             "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling",
             "This field is required.",
         )
 
-    def test_nonexistent_source(self):
+    def test_nonexistent_source(self) -> None:
         """
         users should not be able to access Chant Create page for a source that doesn't exist
         """
-        nonexistent_source_id: str = faker.numerify(
+        nonexistent_source_id = faker.numerify(
             "#####"
         )  # there's not supposed to be 5-digits source id
         with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
@@ -2782,55 +2849,38 @@ def test_nonexistent_source(self):
             )
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 404)
 
-    def test_repeated_seq(self):
+    def test_repeated_seq(self) -> None:
         """post with a folio and seq that already exists in the source"""
-        TEST_FOLIO = "001r"
+        test_folio = "001r"
         # create some chants in the test source
-        source = make_fake_source()
+        source = self.source
         for i in range(1, 5):
             Chant.objects.create(
                 source=source,
-                manuscript_full_text=faker.text(10),
-                folio=TEST_FOLIO,
+                manuscript_full_text=" ".join(faker.words(faker.random_int(3, 10))),
+                folio=test_folio,
                 c_sequence=i,
             )
         # post a chant with the same folio and seq
         url = reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id])
-        fake_text = faker.text(10)
+        fake_text = "this is also a fake but valid text"
         response = self.client.post(
             url,
             data={
                 "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling": fake_text,
-                "folio": TEST_FOLIO,
+                "folio": test_folio,
                 "c_sequence": random.randint(1, 4),
             },
             follow=True,
         )
         self.assertFormError(
-            response,
-            "form",
+            response.context["form"],
             None,
             errors="Chant with the same sequence and folio already exists in this source.",
         )
 
-    def test_view_url_reverse_name(self):
-        fake_sources = [make_fake_source() for _ in range(10)]
-        for source in fake_sources:
-            with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-                response = self.client.get(reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]))
-            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-
-    def test_template_used(self):
-        fake_sources = [make_fake_source() for _ in range(10)]
-        for source in fake_sources:
-            with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-                response = self.client.get(reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]))
-            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-            self.assertTemplateUsed(response, "base.html")
-            self.assertTemplateUsed(response, "chant_create.html")
-
-    def test_volpiano_signal(self):
-        source = make_fake_source()
+    def test_volpiano_signal(self) -> None:
+        source = self.source
         self.client.post(
             reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
             {
@@ -2844,10 +2894,9 @@ def test_volpiano_signal(self):
                 # clefs, accidentals, etc., to be deleted
             },
         )
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            chant_1 = Chant.objects.get(
-                manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="ut queant lactose"
-            )
+        chant_1 = Chant.objects.get(
+            manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="ut queant lactose"
+        )
         self.assertEqual(chant_1.volpiano, "9abcdefg)A-B1C2D3E4F5G67?. yiz")
         self.assertEqual(chant_1.volpiano_notes, "9abcdefg9abcdefg")
         self.client.post(
@@ -2859,16 +2908,13 @@ def test_volpiano_signal(self):
                 "volpiano": "abacadaeafagahaja",
             },
         )
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            chant_2 = Chant.objects.get(
-                manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="resonare foobaz"
-            )
+        chant_2 = Chant.objects.get(manuscript_full_text_std_spelling="resonare foobaz")
         self.assertEqual(chant_2.volpiano, "abacadaeafagahaja")
         self.assertEqual(chant_2.volpiano_intervals, "1-12-23-34-45-56-67-78-8")
 
-    def test_initial_values(self):
+    def test_initial_values(self) -> None:
         # create a chant with a known folio, feast, service, c_sequence and image_link
-        source: Source = make_fake_source()
+        source: Source = self.source
         folio: str = "001r"
         sequence: int = 1
         feast: Feast = make_fake_feast()
@@ -2885,12 +2931,11 @@ def test_initial_values(self):
                 "image_link": image_link,
             },
         )
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            # when we request the Chant Create page, the same folio, feast, service and image_link should
-            # be preselected, and c_sequence should be incremented by 1.
-            response = self.client.get(
-                reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
-            )
+        # when we request the Chant Create page, the same folio, feast, service and image_link should
+        # be preselected, and c_sequence should be incremented by 1.
+        response = self.client.get(
+            reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
+        )
 
         observed_initial_folio: int = response.context["form"].initial["folio"]
         with self.subTest(subtest="test initial value of folio field"):
@@ -2912,12 +2957,11 @@ def test_initial_values(self):
         with self.subTest(subtest="test initial value of image_link field"):
             self.assertEqual(observed_initial_image, image_link)
 
-    def test_suggested_chant_buttons(self):
-        source: Source = make_fake_source()
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            response_empty_source = self.client.get(
-                reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
-            )
+    def test_suggested_chant_buttons(self) -> None:
+        source: Source = self.source
+        response_empty_source = self.client.get(
+            reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
+        )
         with self.subTest(
             test="Ensure no suggestions displayed when there is no previous chant"
         ):
@@ -2925,11 +2969,11 @@ def test_suggested_chant_buttons(self):
                 response_empty_source, "Suggestions based on previous chant:"
             )
 
-        previous_chant: Chant = make_fake_chant(cantus_id="001010", source=source)
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            response_after_previous_chant = self.client.get(
-                reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
-            )
+        # Make a chant to serve as the previous chant
+        make_fake_chant(cantus_id="001010", source=source)
+        response_after_previous_chant = self.client.get(
+            reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
+        )
         suggested_chants = response_after_previous_chant.context["suggested_chants"]
         with self.subTest(
             test="Ensure suggested chant suggestions present when previous chant exists"
@@ -2940,11 +2984,11 @@ def test_suggested_chant_buttons(self):
             self.assertIsNotNone(suggested_chants)
             self.assertEqual(len(suggested_chants), 5)
 
-        rare_chant: Chant = make_fake_chant(cantus_id="a07763", source=source)
-        with patch("requests.get", mock_requests_get):
-            response_after_rare_chant = self.client.get(
-                reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
-            )
+        # Make a chant with a rare cantus_id to serve as the previous chant
+        make_fake_chant(cantus_id="a07763", source=source)
+        response_after_rare_chant = self.client.get(
+            reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
+        )
         with self.subTest(
             test="When previous chant has no suggested chants, ensure no suggestions are displayed"
         ):
@@ -2956,6 +3000,45 @@ def test_suggested_chant_buttons(self):
             )
             self.assertIsNone(response_after_rare_chant.context["suggested_chants"])
 
+    def test_invalid_text(self) -> None:
+        """
+        The user should not be able to create a chant with invalid text
+        (either invalid characters or unmatched brackets).
+        Instead, the user should be shown an error message.
+        """
+        with self.subTest("Chant with invalid characters"):
+            source = self.source
+            response = self.client.post(
+                reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
+                {
+                    "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling": "this is a ch@nt t%xt with inv&lid ch!ra+ers",
+                    "folio": "001r",
+                    "c_sequence": "1",
+                },
+            )
+            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+            self.assertFormError(
+                response.context["form"],
+                "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling",
+                "Invalid characters in text.",
+            )
+        with self.subTest("Chant with unmatched brackets"):
+            source = self.source
+            response = self.client.post(
+                reverse("chant-create", args=[source.id]),
+                {
+                    "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling": "this is a chant with [ unmatched brackets",
+                    "folio": "001r",
+                    "c_sequence": "1",
+                },
+            )
+            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+            self.assertFormError(
+                response.context["form"],
+                "manuscript_full_text_std_spelling",
+                "Word [ contains non-alphabetic characters.",
+            )
+
 
 class CISearchViewTest(TestCase):
 
diff --git a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/views/chant.py b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/views/chant.py
index 7f57674d4..2d357da5f 100644
--- a/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/views/chant.py
+++ b/django/cantusdb_project/main_app/views/chant.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 from django.contrib.auth.mixins import UserPassesTestMixin
 from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from django.db.models import Q, QuerySet
+from django.forms import BaseModelForm
 from django.http import Http404, HttpResponse
 from django.shortcuts import get_object_or_404
 from django.urls import reverse
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@
     TemplateView,
     UpdateView,
 )
+from volpiano_display_utilities.latin_word_syllabification import LatinError
 from volpiano_display_utilities.cantus_text_syllabification import (
     syllabify_text,
     flatten_syllabified_text,
@@ -205,11 +207,14 @@ def get_context_data(self, **kwargs):
         # syllabification section
         if chant.volpiano:
             has_syl_text = bool(chant.manuscript_syllabized_full_text)
-            text_and_mel, _ = align_text_and_volpiano(
-                chant.get_best_text_for_syllabizing(),
-                chant.volpiano,
-                text_presyllabified=has_syl_text,
-            )
+            try:
+                text_and_mel, _ = align_text_and_volpiano(
+                    chant.get_best_text_for_syllabizing(),
+                    chant.volpiano,
+                    text_presyllabified=has_syl_text,
+                )
+            except LatinError:
+                text_and_mel = None
             context["syllabized_text_with_melody"] = text_and_mel
 
         if project := chant.project:
@@ -769,13 +774,15 @@ class ChantCreateView(LoginRequiredMixin, UserPassesTestMixin, CreateView):
     template_name = "chant_create.html"
     form_class = ChantCreateForm
     pk_url_kwarg = "source_pk"
+    source: Source
+    latest_chant: Optional[Chant]
 
     def test_func(self):
         user = self.request.user
         source_id = self.kwargs.get(self.pk_url_kwarg)
-        source = get_object_or_404(Source, id=source_id)
+        self.source = get_object_or_404(Source, id=source_id)
 
-        return user_can_edit_chants_in_source(user, source)
+        return user_can_edit_chants_in_source(user, self.source)
 
     # if success_url and get_success_url not specified, will direct to chant detail page
     def get_success_url(self):
@@ -793,8 +800,10 @@ def get_initial(self):
         """
         try:
             latest_chant = self.source.chant_set.latest("date_updated")
+            self.latest_chant = latest_chant
         except Chant.DoesNotExist:
             # if there is no chant in source, start with folio 001r, and c_sequence 1
+            self.latest_chant = None
             return {
                 "folio": "001r",
                 "feast": "",
@@ -816,22 +825,12 @@ def get_initial(self):
             "image_link": latest_image,
         }
 
-    def dispatch(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Make sure the source specified in url exists before we display the form"""
-        self.source = get_object_or_404(Source, pk=kwargs["source_pk"])
-        return super().dispatch(request, *args, **kwargs)
-
-    def get_suggested_feasts(self):
+    def get_suggested_feasts(self, latest_chant: Chant) -> dict[Feast, int]:
         """based on the feast of the most recently edited chant, provide a
         list of suggested feasts that might follow the feast of that chant.
 
         Returns: a dictionary, with feast objects as keys and counts as values
         """
-        try:
-            latest_chant = self.source.chant_set.latest("date_updated")
-        except Chant.DoesNotExist:
-            return None
-
         current_feast = latest_chant.feast
         chants_that_end_current_feast = Chant.objects.filter(
             is_last_chant_in_feast=True, feast=current_feast
@@ -852,31 +851,30 @@ def get_suggested_feasts(self):
     def get_context_data(self, **kwargs: Any) -> dict[Any, Any]:
         context = super().get_context_data(**kwargs)
         context["source"] = self.source
-        previous_chant: Optional[Chant] = None
-        try:
-            previous_chant = self.source.chant_set.latest("date_updated")
-        except Chant.DoesNotExist:
-            pass
+        previous_chant = self.latest_chant
         context["previous_chant"] = previous_chant
-        context["suggested_feasts"] = self.get_suggested_feasts()
-
-        previous_cantus_id: Optional[str] = None
+        suggested_feasts = None
+        suggested_chants = None
         if previous_chant:
+            suggested_feasts = self.get_suggested_feasts(previous_chant)
             previous_cantus_id = previous_chant.cantus_id
-
-        suggested_chants = None
-        if previous_cantus_id:
-            suggested_chants = get_suggested_chants(previous_cantus_id)
+            if previous_cantus_id:
+                suggested_chants = get_suggested_chants(previous_cantus_id)
+        context["suggested_feasts"] = suggested_feasts
         context["suggested_chants"] = suggested_chants
         return context
 
     def form_valid(self, form):
-        """compute source, incipit; folio/sequence (if left empty)
-        validate the form: add success/error message
+        """
+        Validates the new chant.
+
+        Custom validation steps are:
+        - Check if a chant with the same sequence and folio already exists in the source.
+        - Compute the chant incipit.
+        - Adds the "created_by" and "updated_by" fields to the chant.
         """
         # compute source
-        form.instance.source = self.source  # same effect as the next line
-        # form.instance.source = get_object_or_404(Source, pk=self.kwargs['source_pk'])
+        form.instance.source = self.source
 
         # compute incipit, within 30 charactors, keep words complete
         words = form.instance.manuscript_full_text_std_spelling.split(" ")
@@ -912,8 +910,7 @@ def form_valid(self, form):
                 "Chant '" + form.instance.incipit + "' created successfully!",
             )
             return super().form_valid(form)
-        else:
-            return super().form_invalid(form)
+        return super().form_invalid(form)
 
 
 class ChantDeleteView(LoginRequiredMixin, UserPassesTestMixin, DeleteView):
@@ -1132,11 +1129,18 @@ def get_context_data(self, **kwargs):
             has_syl_text = bool(chant.manuscript_syllabized_full_text)
             # Note: the second value returned is a flag indicating whether the alignment process
             # encountered errors. In future, this could be used to display a message to the user.
-            text_and_mel, _ = align_text_and_volpiano(
-                chant.get_best_text_for_syllabizing(),
-                chant.volpiano,
-                text_presyllabified=has_syl_text,
-            )
+            try:
+                text_and_mel, _ = align_text_and_volpiano(
+                    chant.get_best_text_for_syllabizing(),
+                    chant.volpiano,
+                    text_presyllabified=has_syl_text,
+                )
+            except LatinError as err:
+                messages.error(
+                    self.request,
+                    "Error in aligning text and melody: " + str(err),
+                )
+                text_and_mel = None
             context["syllabized_text_with_melody"] = text_and_mel
 
         user = self.request.user
@@ -1243,12 +1247,20 @@ def get_initial(self):
         initial = super().get_initial()
         chant = self.get_object()
         has_syl_text = bool(chant.manuscript_syllabized_full_text)
-        syls_text, _ = syllabify_text(
-            text=chant.get_best_text_for_syllabizing(),
-            clean_text=True,
-            text_presyllabified=has_syl_text,
-        )
-        self.flattened_syls_text = flatten_syllabified_text(syls_text)
+        try:
+            syls_text, _ = syllabify_text(
+                text=chant.get_best_text_for_syllabizing(),
+                clean_text=True,
+                text_presyllabified=has_syl_text,
+            )
+            self.flattened_syls_text = flatten_syllabified_text(syls_text)
+        except LatinError as err:
+            messages.error(
+                self.request,
+                "Error in syllabifying text: " + str(err),
+            )
+            syls_text = None
+            self.flattened_syls_text = ""
         initial["manuscript_syllabized_full_text"] = self.flattened_syls_text
         return initial