PSALM national conference attracts 170 musicians, clergy

On August 2-5, 2006, over 170 musicians and clergy gathered for the first national conference sponsored by PSALM at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL.

CICERO, IL [PSALM/V. Yova] — PSALM, a national, pan-Orthodox organization that promotes networking, education, and sharing of resources among Orthodox Church musicians, attracted 170 participants to its first national conference at Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church here August 2-5, 2006.

Participants came from 21 different states, as well as from Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Puerto Rico and Japan. In addition to choir directors, chanters and readers, the list of registrants included His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago [OCA], 20 priests, and four monastics representing12 different jurisdictions/archdioceses.

The decision to hold the conference sessions at Saint George Church rather than at a hotel, provided some logistical challenges. However, the presence throughout the conference of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which
wept for four years in the 1990s, seemed to have its impact upon the attendees and the proceedings.

Speakers and panelists included some of the most respected Orthodox musicians in the English-speaking world today, both clergy and laity. Among them were Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Archimandrite Efrem [Lash], Tikey
Zes, Mark Bailey, the Very Rev. Sergei Glagolev, The Rev. John Finley, the Rev. Andrei Papkov, Vicki Pappas, Chris Holwey, David Drillock, Nikola Resanovic, Nicholas Schidlovsky, and Jessica Suchy-Pilalis, to name a few.

Anchored by the theme “Sing Praises with Understanding,” the presentations and panel discussions focused on various aspects of “understanding” necessary in an effective music ministry, from the communication between musicians and clergy, to understanding the form and function of the services, to understanding how the Word is most appropriately wed to the musical tone.

PSALM president, Valerie Yova, presents honorary chairman, the Very Rev. Sergei Glagolev [left], with an icon of Orthodox hymnographers, as a tribute for his renowned, beloved and prolific composing of Orthodox liturgical music.

Some of the participants commented that it was “a bit like going back to
college,” as the schedule was packed with opportunities to learn and
included very little social time, other than meals. In spite of that, new
relationships were formed and old ones were renewed, particularly in late
night gatherings at the hotel!

An ensemble of 140 plus participants made up the conference choir that sang
for Friday evening Vespers and Saturday morning Liturgy, under the direction
of Mark Bailey. Both services included a combination of musical styles,
traditions, and textures, including various forms of antiphonal singing.
The services were not only the perfect spiritual culmination of the
conference, but also demonstrated many of the points made by the speakers,
particularly on the necessity of choosing musical settings that encourage
liturgical dialogue and facilitate prayerful, engaging and enlivened
worship.

On Thursday evening, August 3, conference participants attended a concert
performed by the Saint Romanos Cappella, under the direction of Dr. Peter
Jermihov. The concert featured music by living Orthodox composers, many of
whom were in the audience. At the conclusion of the concert, PSALM offered
a tribute to its honorary chairman, the Very Rev. Sergei Glagolev, a
renowned, beloved and prolific composer of Orthodox liturgical music. PSALM
board member, David Drillock, spoke of Father Sergei’s significant
contribution to the growth of Orthodox liturgical music in the English
language. PSALM president, Valerie Yova, presented Father Sergei with an
icon of Orthodox hymnographers as the Saint Romanos Cappella led the
audience in a resounding “God Grant You Many Years.”

While other attempts have been made in the past to bring together Orthodox
Church musicians from all jurisdictions, this may be the first event that
included such wide representation and such an impressive collection of
experts from all traditions. The conference “community” was a unique
collection of clergy, lay people, monastics, scholars, novices and
everything in between.

Mark Bailey of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY, directs the 136 voice choir during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, August, 5, 2006.

At the Liturgy on Saturday morning, Father John Finley admonished
participants to prepare for
the struggles that they would face after coming down off of their “mountain
top experience.” In the spirit of the Great Feast of the Transfiguration,
which would be celebrated the next day, Father John exclaimed, “It is good
to be here!” He then encouraged participants to gather strength from Christ
and each other to go back to their parishes and approach the inevitable
struggles of their ministry with love and humility.

There was unanimous agreement among participants that such a conference
should take place at least every other year. It will be the task of PSALM’s
board of directors to consider this request and seek out a host parish for
the next national conference. Regardless of what the future holds, it seems
clear that this first event in Cicero will have a lasting impact on the
development of PSALM and its members and hold a special place in the hearts
of all who were present.

All conference lectures and panel discussions were videotaped and will be available for purchase by January 2007. Watch the PSALM web site at www.orthodoxpsalm.org for conference photos, the detailed schedule and list of participants, and information on how to order copies of the taped
sessions.