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Nanuet/Nyack, NY: Novo-Diveevo Convent, Holy Protection Church host 29th Church Musicians’ Conference

The 29th North American Church Musicians’ Conference was convened for the first time in three years with great success and on a high level. Church singers, choir directors, and readers gathered together in Nanuet and Nyack, NY from Wednesday the 9th through Sunday the 13th of November.

The organizers of the conference were: the Liturgical Music Commission of the Synod of Bishops under the chairmanship of Archpriest Andre Papkov, together with the administration of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, headed by Abbess Makaria (Fadina) and neighboring Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Nyack, led by parish rector Archpriest Elias Gorsky.

All attendees were overjoyed to see Fr. Andre, chairman of the Commission, and member George Skok returning after recovering from serious illnesses.

Intense lectures and rehearsals were held on the grounds of the convent. This year, the conference was dedicated to the blessed memory of Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral; +2022) and Sergei Schidlowsky, a member of the Liturgical Music Commission. It was a joy to see a large contingency of youth between the ages of 16-25. These young men and women are the future generation of choir directors and singers, who showed their love for the divine services and liturgical singing.

The program of the conference was full, some speakers of the conference with their important topics included:

  • His Grace Job, Bishop of Stuttgart: Thoughts on the Russian Church Music Tradition based on the Example of the German Diocese of ROCOR.
  • Laryssa Doohovskoy: Developing Best Practices within Multigenerational Choirs: A vocal
    Pedagogical Approach, Singing Praises: Aligning Voice and Focus in the Choir. For the Youth: How do we do This? An Introduction to Vocal Technique for Younger Singers.
  • Kurt Sander: The Inner Music of Language: Perspectives on Singing and Setting English Text.
  • Vladimir Krassovsky: Spiritual Aspects of a Conductor’s work.
  • Deacon Anthony Stokes: Theological Singing: How Musicality can be used to highlight Liturgical & Theological Meaning, Conducting Master Class.

Rehearsals were conducted by the aforementioned lecturers. Of the repertoire, the following should be mentioned:

All-Night Vigil:

Bless the Lord, O My Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.P. Raspopoff
O Gladsome Light (in English) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kurt Sander
Prokimenon: The Lord is King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hieromonk Nathaniel
Nunc Dimittis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V. Lebedeff
Polyeleos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ivanov
The Great Doxology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chant of the Dormition Cathedral
Resurrectional Troparion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M.S. Konstantinov

Divine Liturgy:

The Greeting & Vesting of the Bishop . . . . . . . . . . . . Erkhan
Antiphons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feoktistov
Only Begotten Son (in English) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kurt Sander
Cherubic Hymn #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.M. Ledkovsky
A Mercy of Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M.S. Konstantinov
It is Truly Meet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Azeev

On Thursday evening, during work sessions, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, accompanied by chancellor of the Synod of Bishops, Archpriest Serafim Gan, visited the conference. His Eminence expressed his regrets for not being able to officiate at the services. During dinner, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad wished everyone God’s help and expressed his full support for the work being done in the realm of liturgical music. His Eminence’s visit brought great joy to the conference attendees.

A traditional break in activities and lectures took place on Friday evening, when everyone was
given an evening off to experience the beautiful surrounding areas and dine in local restaurants.

The culminating event of the conference were the hierarchal divine services officiated by His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), with local priests concelebrating and many faithful in attendance.

The concluding event of the conference after Divine Liturgy in Holy Protection Church was the festal banquet in the parish hall, which was packed with clergy, 80 conference attendees, and guests. Speeches were delivered and presents distributed with gratitude for all of the work done in order to make the conference a success.

The Fund for Assistance to ROCOR was thanked for their consistent financial support of the conferences, and without whom convening these events would be much more difficult.

All attendees seemed to be spiritually uplifted and that all would return to their parishes with renewed strength and energy.

***

The Synodal Music Commission is especially grateful to Abbess Makaria, rectress of Novo-Diveevo Convent for her kindness, love, hospitality, her blessing and constant support and help in making this God-pleasing event a reality.

The local committee is thanked for their labors: Priest Andrew Podymow, Priest Alexei Klar, Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (committee member), Deacon Nicholas Ilyin, and Matushkas Nina Arlievsky, Dina Ilyin, Patricia Klar, and Tatiana Kurenkov. The Committee worked very hard in order that the conference be organized and that its work progressed smoothly toward a fruitful conclusion.

The Sisterhood of the Protection of the Mother of God Parish in Nyack prepared all the meals throughout the entire conference, and the toils of this phenomenal sisterhood cannot be overstated.

Photos

Nanuet/Nyack, NY: Novo-Diveevo Convent, Holy Protection Church host 29th Church Musicians’ Conference - 11/13/22

(37 images)


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