Chicago site of August pan-Orthodox liturgical music conference
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The first pan-Orthodox national liturgical music conference sponsored by PSALM, a non-profit organization networking Orthodox liturgical musicians, will be held at Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church here August 2-5, 2006.
The conference’s presentations and panel discussions will reflect on the theme, “Sing Praises with Understanding,” and address the various aspects of “understanding,” from understanding each other—clergy-musician communication—to understanding history, liturgy and the calling of liturgical musicians.
The keynote address, “Asceticism and Creativity,” will be given by the Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, renowned author and dean emeritus Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY. Other presenters and panelists represent the various Orthodox archdioceses and jurisdictions of the United States and England and include the Very Rev. Sergei Glagolev, the Rev. Ephrem Lash, Ivan Moody, David Drillock, Tikey Zes, the Rev. John Finley, Jessica Suchy-Pilalis, John Boyer, the Rev. Joseph Morris, Nicola Resanovic, the Rev. Andre Papkov, Mark Bailey, and Vladimir Morosan, among others.
There will be numerous opportunities for singing at the conference’s choir rehearsals, services, and music reading sessions.
The chaplain for the conference will be Father Glagolev, PSALM’s honorary board chairman, while Mark Bailey, who teaches and conducts at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary and Yale University, will serve as the principal conductor. Several guest ensembles will lead conference participants in responses at the daily services, while the conference choir will sing the responses for Friday evening Vespers and the Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning.
As part of the conference program, the Saint Romanos Cappella, conducted by Dr. Peter Jermihov, will perform a concert on Thursday evening, August 3, 2006. A professional vocal ensemble based in Chicago, the Cappella specializes in Orthodox liturgical music from Byzantine and Slavic traditions, including music of composers living in America in the past century. The concert is open to the general public with an admission price of $20.00 for those not registered for the full conference. The other evening sessions are also open to the public for a nominal fee.
Registration for the full three day conference is $190.00—$175.00 for PSALM members—with separate daily fees available. A group rate on rooms is available at the Holiday Inn Expo and Conference Center, Hillside, IL [708-544-9300].
Conference scholarships covering registration and lodging are available to young musicians between the ages of 16 and 25 and include free registration and lodging.
Additional information or downloadable registration forms are available on-line at www.orthodoxpsalm.org.