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THE NATIONAL FORUM OF GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCH MUSICIANS
The musical arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that strengthens
and perpetuates its liturgical music
New Church Music Resource Announced
NEW! National Forum Newsletters!
National CHURCH MUSIC SUNDAY
Honoring Church Musicians across the Archdiocese of America.
Click here to learn more.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL FORUM?
The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians
is the Archdiocesan ministry responsible for liturgical music activities
and the development, support, and recognition of church musicians. Chartered
in 1976 as an official auxiliary of the Archdiocese, the National Forum
serves as the liaison among local church musicians, diocesan church music
federations, and the Archdiocese. It also serves as the gathering place
for church musicians to discuss issues related to liturgical music and
to formulate needed responses.
The National Forum has three major areas of focus:
- Support for CHOIRS, providing resources and activities
to improve the quality of choirs and the availability of choral music
in the church
- Support for CHANTERS and the preservation of BYZANTINE
CHANT
- Support for YOUTH CHURCH MUSIC PROGRAMS, including
hymnology and junior choirs
- Support for CLERGY, including parish music ministries,
and support for clergy
WHO ARE THE Stewards OF THE NATIONAL FORUM?
All church musicians may become stewards of the National
Forum – choir directors and singers, chanters, clergy, and Church
School/Greek School music educators. In addition, the eight Metropolis
Church Music Federations form the governing body of the National Forum.
Each federation elects five members to serve on the Forum’s National
Coordinating Committee. The Coordinating Committee and other National
Forum stewards meet annually to review projects and products, identify
needs for materials and programs, and discuss issues of concern to church
musicians.
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL
FORUM?
- The annual Liturgical Guidebook and Companion
- The Hymns of the Orthodox Church hymnology series with instructional
CD featuring EIKONA
- A Parish Guide to Starting a Youth Music Program
- MUSICA, a liturgical music periodical
- Repertoire for the Greek Orthodox Organist
- A Guide to the Transcription of Post-Byzantine Chant
- Verses to the Antiphons
- Senior Voices: A Handbook for Working with Senior Adults
- A Guide to Congregational Singing
- A Parish Handbook for Conducting a Holy Friday Retreat
- Sharing in Song: A Songbook for Orthodox Gatherings
- Commemoratives and custom Certificates of Service for church musicians
(The Archbishop Iakovos Award) and young singers (The Ernest Villas
Award)
THE NATIONAL FORUM ALSO:
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Sponsors national and metropolis-level Church
Music Institutes; a Choir Directors’ Academy program is in the
planning stage
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Develops position papers, surveys, and other materials
about church music issues
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Collaborates with other Archdiocesan departments
to address church music needs
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Works with Holy Cross School of Theology on the
National Forum of Church Musicians/Chrysanthos Visiting Scholar Program
in Byzantine and Church Choral Music
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Helps local parishes commemorate National Church
Music Sunday each October, in conjunction with the Feast Day of St.
Romanos, and encourages recognition for church musicians:
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Administers the yearly Archbishop’s Years
of Service Award to local choir directors
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Presents the Patriarch Athenagoras Award to
church musicians with distinguished Metropolis service
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Presents the St. Romanos Medallion to church
musicians who have demonstrated exemplary national leadership
in church music
WHAT IS THE CHRYSANTHOS ENDOWMENT FOR BYZANTINE
AND CHURCH CHORAL MUSIC?
In 1982, the National Forum committed to raise $350,000
for the Holy Cross School of Theology to support the liturgical music
education of our seminarians as well as church choirs, chanters, and church
school children. A major accomplishment was the donation of $100,000 for
a Liturgical Music Room at the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning
Center. In 2002, the Forum committed the rest of the funds to the Seminary
to establish the National Forum of Church Musicians/Chrysanthos Endowment
for Byzantine and Church Choral Music. This program will bring Visiting
Scholars in church music to the School each year for extended stays and
interactions with the seminarians.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Vicki Pappas,
National Chairman
pappas@indiana.edu
3814 Regents Circle,
Bloomington, IN 47401
Tel: 812-855-8248 Fax: 812-855-9630
Stewardship: Donna Aliapoulios
SteveDonna@comcast.net
Liturgical Guidebook: Peter N. Vatsures
vatspnv@hotmail.com
Liturgical Guidebook: Dr. Nicolas Maragos
Maragos.Nicolas@mayo.edu
Treasurer: Martha Stefanidakis
gmstefs@comcast.net
Church Music Endowment: Dr. George Demos
gtdemos1@comcast.net
Byzantine Music Project: Dr. George Stefanidakis
gmstefs@comcast.net
Youth Initiatives: Joanne Kambouris
skambour@knology.net
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