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."
 

2025 Spring/Winter 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.

January 4, 2025
January 11
January 18:  NO CLASS—Fanari Winter Camp
*FRIDAY, January 24:  7 PM: Vigil for St. Gregory the Theologian
January 25:  NO CLASS
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
March 1
March 8
March 15:  NO CLASS—Ascension hosts Family Synaxis Retreat
March 22 (followed by 7 p.m. Great Vespers at Holy Cross, Justice IL)
March 29
April 5
April 12
April 19:  NO CLASS - Holy Saturday
April 26:  NO CLASS - Metropolis Oratorical Festival at Assumption, Chicago
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24:   NO CLASS, Jr. Olympics @ Sts. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills
*WEDNESDAY, May 28: 6:30 p.m. 9th Hour of Pascha & Great Vespers
*THURSDAY, May 29:  Ascension of Our Lord Feast Day, 8:15 AM: Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
May 31: (Last Class)

If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastoral Assistant, John Anton at 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