Byzantine Chant Classes


This ministry is offered for Orthodox faithful and especially aspiring chanters to engage their faith more deeply through the rich musical and liturgical tradition of the Church. By exploring the psaltic art, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of our worship services, the prayers that we sing in private and communal prayer, and the role of chanters as worship leaders. The class will be geared toward both learning musical theory and how to read Byzantine musical notation while also developing a working practical knowledge of hymns by learning "by ear."
 

2024 Schedule

Saturdays 3:30-4:45 PM

Classes are usually followed by the services of 9th Hour at 4:50 p.m. and Vespers at 5 p.m.  The online parish calendar will reflect any changes to the schedule of classes and services. Registered students will also be notified.


September 7 
September 14 
September 21 
September 28 
October 5 NO CLASS
October 12 
October 19 NO CLASS
October 26 
November 2 
November 9 
***Nativity Fast Begins November 15***
November 16 
November 23 
November 30 NO CLASS—Thanksgiving Weekend
December 7 
December 14 
December 21 (last meeting)

 
If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastoral Assistant, John Anton a(janton@ascensiongoc.com | 847.482.1200, x4).

Download Schedule

CURRICULUM

This course will balance a theoretical and practical approach to learning Byzantine Music. In other words, while the focus will be on learning musical theory, we will also learn major hymns through listening and memorization. We will be exploring (mostly in English, but also in Greek):

1.  The Eight Modes
2.  Byzantine Neume Notation
3.  Major Hymns of the Church
4.  History of Byzantine Music
5.  Order of Liturgical Services

Our textbook for the class will be Byzantine Music: Theory and Practice Guide by Fr. Aristidis Garinis, Dr. Demetrios Kehagias, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Each student will be provided a copy. Additional scores and exercises will be provided from numerous sources, including but not limited to:

  • GOA Digital Chant Stand
  • The Divine Music Project of St. Anthony's Monastery
  • Theoritikon Vyzantinis Ekklesiastikis Mousikis by Ioannis Margaziotis
  • The Anastasimatarion
  • Byzantine Chant: The Received Tradition – A Lesson Book by John Michael Boyer