The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music is delighted to announce the expansion of its program with the addition of Summer Term 2022. Registration is open now until April 25th.
Read more...The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music scheduled to re-open under new Director with new offerings.
The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music scheduled to re-open under new Director with new offerings. Online registration opens November 29, 2021. Classes to begin January 3, 2022. Space is limited.
The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music is scheduled to re-open under new direction and with new offerings. Throughout its history, the school has primarily taught classes in-person to students residing in the New York area. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school has been forced to reimagine its methods and offerings. The ASBM will now offer online learning, in small group classes which will be instructed by expert cantors who hold either a certificate or diploma in Byzantine Chant or advanced degree in Byzantine Musicology. Through the use of technology, the ASBM will be accessible to everyone with a computer and internet access.
For more information about the program, please click here.
Read more...Patriarchal Divine Liturgy and Investiture of Archons held in New York, NY showcases bi-lingual byzantine chant in traditional melodies
On October 31, 2021, His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York.
The music was selected and arranged by Georgios Theodoridis, Archon Music Instructor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Director of the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music.
Selected cantors from throughout the Archdiocese formed two choirs and chanted the services antiphonally, the Right choir chanting primarily in Greek and the Left choir chanting primarily in English.
Read more...Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir featured at academic convocation of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew at the University of Notre Dame
On October 28, 2021, the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir performed at the academic convocation of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew at the University of Notre Dame. The choir, under the direction of Georgios Theodoridis, performed a program of Byzantine Chant, “Creation: From Adam to Salvation,” in both Greek and English.
Read more...Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir to Perform at name day of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
On November 2, 2019 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City (319 E. 74th Street NY, NY) members of the Archdiocesan Byzantine Music will chant at the first name day celebration of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. This is his eminence’s first name day celebration as Archbishop of America. A reception will follow in the Chiotis Hall and an opportunity to personally greet his eminence will be afforded to the faithful.
For information call 212-288-3215.
Read more...Concert held at St. Veronica’s in the West Village
Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir at St. Veronica 9/11
H.E. ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS GERON OF AMERICA IN ATTENDANCE AT THE CONCERT AT ST. VERONICA CHURCH IN NYC PERFORMED BY THE ARCHDIOCESAN BYZANTINE CHOIR DIRECTED BY DEMETRIOS KEHAGIAS. © GANP/DIMITRIOS PANAGOS
By: Vicki James Yiannias
On September 11, the day of the remembrance of all those lost in the terrorist attacks and the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, the only house of worship destroyed at ground zero 17 years ago in New York City, a performance of the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir at St. Veronica Church in downtown Manhattan inaugurated the new, free, music series, Sounds of the Great Religions. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and Bishop Sevastianos attended.
When cultures and religions uncomprehending of each other are thrown together in figuratively tight spaces the language of music can be a means of communication. This significant initiative from George Capsis, forward-thinking publisher of the free publication, Westview News, is a promotion for future understanding. The concerts are free and open to the public.
In his Welcome, Capsis said that the “dramatic, almost theatrical interior space of St. Veronica Church invites imaginative uses” and it inspired this series of concerts, “a survey of great musical moments from the world’s great religions telling the story of the Greek Orthodox Church from Constantine the Great to Today.”
The 37-member choir includes Demetrius Kehagias, the Director, Rev. Dn. Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Managing Director, Archdeacon Panteleimon, who gave a short historical narrative about the Orthodox Church and the importance of the Byzantine Empire, especially Constantine the Great, for the spread of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean, and Rev. Dn. Romanos Karanos, Professor of Byzantine Musicology.
The performance also marked the beginning of the Eastern Orthodox Ecclesiastical Year.
It was a musical and iconographic overview of the major feasts within the Orthodox Liturgical Calendar with a primary focus on Christocentric Feasts. Each feast was complimented with a short explanation of what is celebrated and why it is important, through an analysis of the hymns chanted and their theological importance.
Beginning with the achingly evocative hymn to the City of Constantinople, “O Theotokos, I, your city”, for which His Eminence and His Grace stood, the audience following suit, the Byzantine Archdiocesan Choir has perfect unity of sound and outstanding solo chanters.
The other hymns: What shall we offer you, O Christ?… 2nd Mode; 9th Ode of the Canon for the Feast Entrance of the Lord into the Temple; As many of you as were baptized… 1st Mode; The Great Prokeimenon of the Great Forty-Day Fast… Plagal 4th Mode; Matins of Great Friday — They stripped me of my garments… Plagal 2nd Mode; CANON of Pascha (Selected verses)… 1st Mode; Heavenly King… Plagal 2nd Mode; The Great Doxology (select verses)… Grave Mode.
St. Veronica Catholic Church on Christoper Street was built, as was the original St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church downtown, by seamen—in the case of St. Veronica, Irish seamen, who began its construction in 1890. In this period of intensified, more frequent contacts between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches on the topic of unity, the stark contrast between the brightly-colored Western (after the Renaissance) paintings in the apse of St. Veronica and the large-scale projections of Byzantine icons next to them, the different scales of Byzantine chant and Western music, with their obvious differences provided interest.
This concert seemed to be as instructionally thoughtful as possible. As an introduction to every hymn being chanted a corresponding Byzantine icon was projected large-scale next to the church’s paintings high up on the apse. At the bottom of the icon, in English, was a description of the icon and a short analysis of the hymn, making it very easy to follow what the choir was singing and its significance within Orthodox theology and liturgical practice.
Byzantine hymnology, musical scale and notation, and Byzantine iconography—all of which His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios helpfully explained in his Closing Remarks—gave those unfamiliar with Orthodoxy, as well the Orthodox in the audience, a beginner’s survey that surely might encourage follow-up interest in the beauty of the Church.
The concert ended with a solemn focus on the tragic events of 9/11.A 6-minute video, a special tribute showing the reconstruction of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine was shown. A hymn from the Orthodox funeral service was chanted in commemoration of the day with hymns to St. Nicholas.
Remembering all of those lost on that tragic day 9-11-2001. May their memories be eternal.
To view the Concert click here!
Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir Members
Demetrios Kehagias, Director
Rev. Fr. Romanos Karanos, Professor of Byzantine Musicology at
Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
Rev. Dn. Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Managing Director
Rev. Fr. Antonios Papathansiou * Rev. Fr. Andreas Houpos * Rev. Dn. Eleftherios Constantine
Nektarios Antoniou * Alexandros Avgeris * Richard R Barrett * Theodore Brakatselos * Luis Camacho * Panos Coufos * Eustratios Gatanas * Gregory Gatanas * Nick Gregoriades * George Kazoulis * Anthony Ladas * Yianni Mavrogiannis * Demetrios Michael * Sotirios Michalatos * Anastasios Mirisis * Dimosthenis Papaioannou * Nicholas Paros * George Rallis * Neophytos Sarigiannis * Pavlos Sotirelis * Panayiotis Steele * Christos Strubakos * George Theodoridis * Yannis Tziligakis * Evaggelos Zaharatos
Read more...
The Musical Ark now available!
- Original Byzantine compositions in English and composed in classical style
- Frequently-sung pieces for Vespers, Orthros, and Divine Liturgy
- A high-quality hardcover publication fitting for the analogion as well as library shelves
- US $40 + $5 shipping within the United States
The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music is pleased to announce the release of The Musical Ark, a collection of English language psaltic compositions by cantor and composer Nicholas Roumas. Order your copy today of this historic book of Byzantine chant in English!
“…profoundly satisfying music that the seasoned cantor will be able to perform naturally and effortlessly…”
Grammenos Karanos, Professor of Byzantine Music, Hellenic College Holy Cross
About the composer
Nicholas Roumas is a cantor of the Orthodox Church from Massachusetts, USA, where he began adapting the hymns of the Church into English to meet the needs of congregants. He received his certificate in Byzantine Music from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, passing his examination with a perfect score. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in theology at Marquette University.
Listen to one of the compositions in this book here:
Read more...2017 ASBM REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Dear Students and those interested in the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music,
I pray this email finds you all well and ready to begin another exciting year of Byzantine Music!
The academic year 2017-2018 for continuing students will commence on Saturday, October 7. I ask that you communicate with your teachers via email (please copy me) in order to coordinate the schedule for your classes. You will begin your studies where you left off from last year with a brief refresher just to get you focused. The cost for tuition this year is $500 for the full year. You are more than welcome to discuss this with me privately if we need to work out a payment plan.
New and interested students are welcome to come for a short orientation at 10am in the Cathedral Hall located at 337 East 74th Street in NYC on September 30. The orientation will last only about one hour and will entail a short vocal exam and a brief overview of the program. You need not have any previous knowledge of Byzantine Music however, vocal stability and pitch accuracy will be critical for placement in the school. I look forward to personally greeting each of you.
Finally, this year ASBM will continue to offer online video based instruction (i.e. Skype, zoom, talky).
With the help of God we will have a great year filled with fun and fantastic music.
Join us!
With warmest heartfelt prayers for abundant blessings from God, I remain
In Christ our Savior,
Archdeacon Panteleimon
The Musical Ark by Nicholas Roumas now available for order!
- Original Byzantine compositions in English and composed in classical style
- Frequently-sung pieces for Vespers, Orthros, and Divine Liturgy
- A high-quality hardcover publication fitting for the analogion as well as library shelves
- US $40 + $5 shipping within the United States
The Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music is pleased to announce the publication of The Musical Ark, a collection of English language psaltic compositions by cantor and composer Nicholas Roumas. Pre-order your copy today and guarantee that this historic book of Byzantine chant in English will have a place on your shelf and at your chant stand!
Click here to order. Estimated to ship January 2018.
“…profoundly satisfying music that the seasoned cantor will be able to perform naturally and effortlessly…”
Grammenos Karanos, Professor of Byzantine Music, Hellenic College Holy Cross
About the composer
Nicholas Roumas is a cantor of the Orthodox Church from Massachusetts, USA, where he began adapting the hymns of the Church into English to meet the needs of congregants. He received his certificate in Byzantine Music from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, passing his examination with a perfect score. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in theology at Marquette University.
Listen to one of the compositions in this book here:
Read more...New Initiative to Promote Women and Byzantine Music
The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir, and St. Kassiani Choir Concert at The Holy Trinity Cathedral in NY. PHOTO: © D. PANAGOS
New York, NY–In 2015, the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine music inaugurated the St. Kassiani Byzantine Choir. The St. Kassiani Byzantine Choir began in 2014 at the initiation of the nuns of All Saints Monastery with the blessing and support of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. The sisters of All Saints, being alumnae of HCHC, recognized the need for education, promotion, and contribution of qualified women chanters within the Greek Orthodox Church. Because of the many knowledgeable female chanters and limited opportunities for participation in traditional Byzantine choirs, the nuns of All Saints Monastery formed the St. Kassiani Byzantine Choir under the directorship of Dr. Demetrios Kehagias and the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music. With Dr. Kehagias’ guidance and encouragement, the women chanters of the St. Kassiani Byzantine Choir have been challenged to perform difficult compositions all the while maintaining a high level of precision. The debut concert in June 2016 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral was a successful endeavor. We are optimistic that with persistence and continued effort, the St. Kassiani Byzantine Choir will be an opportunity for skilled women chanters to offer their talent to Christ and to inspire a future generation of women to dedicate their talent to Christ and His Church.
The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir at The Holy trinity Cathedral in NY. PHOTO: © D. PANAGOS
St. Kassiani Choir Concert at The Holy Trinity Cathedral in NY. PHOTO: © D. PANAGOS
More than 15 women gave their time, talent, and financial contributions in order to debut the St. Kassiani Byzantine Choir. These women—gathered from Oregon to Massachusetts and Texas to Florida— made great personal sacrifices to contribute and participate. They include: Gerontissa Foteini, All Saints Monastery, Calverton NY, Adelfi Theonymfi, All Saints Monastery, Calverton NY, Markella Balasis, OCMC, St. Augustine, FL, Elizabeth Constantine, Archdiocesan Cathedral, NY, NY, Rachel Fiolek, Holy Resurrection, Allston, MA, Sarah Jenks, University of Notre Dame, IN, Eirini Koulianos, HCHC, Brookline, MA, Mary Long, Transfiguration Greek Church, Austin, TX, Virginia Pourakis,St. Paul Cathedral, Hempstead, NY, Christina Stavros-Kidonakis, St. Mary Antiochian Church, Livonia, MI, Theofania Creemens, Portland, OR.
The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir at The Holy Trinity Cathedral in NY. PHOTO: © D. PANAGOS
St. Kassiani Choir Concert at The Holy Trinity Cathedral in NY. PHOTO: © D. PANAGOS
To watch all the videos of the Concert, Click Here!
Read more...