Singers' Summer Academy
June 27-30 in Howell, NJ
Patram institute continues to unite musical excellence with orthodox worship by
- Bringing together outstanding conductors & teachers;
- Designing innovative educational programs;
- Dedicating its resources to raising standards; and
- Producing CD recordings that serve as models of superlative church singing.
The splendor of Orthodox Worship
Prince Vladimir's emissaries, sent to foreign lands to explore the various religions of the day, returned with the now famous account: “Then we came to the Greek land, and they led us into the place where they serve their God, and we knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For nowhere on earth can one behold such splendor and beauty. We cannot even begin to speak of it. Only this we know, that God abides with people in that place, and the worship there is better than in any other land. We cannot forget that beauty.” And so, Orthodox Christianity came to the Russian land, and with the newly acquired religion came forth a profound aspiration towards splendor and beauty in Divine Worship. The musical element, performed exclusively a cappella, held a central place in the worship experience; moreover, ever since the rise of polyphony in Russia in the mid-16th century, Russians seem to have been especially drawn to the choral idiom. Not only did they produce an astonishing array of composers of choral music throughout every musical era, they also developed sensational choirs that are to this day the subject of research, admiration, and emulation. Indeed, for conductors, choirs, and audiences around the globe, Russian choirs, their repertoires, and the mystique of their sound seem to have become the gift that keeps on giving.
Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia describes three characteristic features of Orthodox Christianity:
the emphasis on Divine Beauty: “…[Orthodox Christians have] this power of perceiving the beauty of the spiritual world and expressing that celestial beauty in their worship”; they perceive, also, the celebration of the Divine Liturgy as a unification of heaven and earth: “Now the powers of heaven do serve invisibly with us” [Orthodox hymn from the Pre-sanctified Liturgy]; and they adhere to a notion that truth is revealed not through intellectual understanding of doctrine or dogma but through the experience of worship and prayer. “Christianity is a liturgical religion” (Georges Florovsky), and it is the Liturgy that has “inspired [the Orthodox Christians’] best poetry, art, and music” (Bishop Kallistos).
As the human relies on the senses to make tangible the world around him/her, so the Holy Church utilizes the senses–the sweet aroma of incense, the mystical beauty of icons, and the magical vibrations of musical tone–to make tangible on earth the imagined splendor of heaven.
The congruence of Divine Beauty, the manifestation of heaven on earth, and the experience of the Divine through worship–are central to the purpose of the PaTRAM Institute Singers’ Summer Academy, indeed the PaTRAM mission as a whole. The culmination of this entire event is the celebration of the Divine Services and the activities throughout the four days of singing and improving skills are all focused on bringing musical excellence to the Liturgy. The experience of beauty in worship is the paradigm that participants can implement in their music-making and bring home to their parishes.
–Dr. Peter Jermihov
THE VENUE
Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Howell, New Jersey
ACADEMY CONDUCTORS
Vladimir Gorbik
Benedict Sheehan
VOICE FACULTY
LARYSSA DOOHOVSKOY
TALIA-MARIA SHEEHAN
RICHARD BARETT
MUSICIANSHIP FACULTY
NICHOLAS REEVES
FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the objective of the Singers' Academy?
To bring together singers from varied backgrounds in a church choir setting to improve their ability to sing prayerfully and at a higher level. Our hope is that each participant will apply what they learn at the Academy to their home parish.
What will be the highlight experiences for the participants?
• The unique opportunity to rehearse & sing in a high-level male choir, conducted by Maestro Vladimir Gorbik in the style of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra (where the famed Fr. Matthew Mormil directed for years);
• to rehearse & sing in a mixed choir under the direction of Maestro Benedict Sheehan, Music Director at the St. Tikhon Orthodox Monastery, as well as to sing portions of his newly composed Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom;
• to receive targeted group instruction in vocal technique and musicianship;
• To be a part of two majestic Divine Services–the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy–in one of the most beautiful ROCOR cathedrals in North America–St. Alexander Nevsky in Howell, NJ; and
• to join other participants in an evening of fun, food, and a special treat—a Russian sauna (banya).
Who is able to enroll?
All levels of singers–beginner to advanced–are encouraged to enroll.
What are the baseline requirements for enrollment?
This Academy is built with a focus on Orthodox church singing, so we expect attendees to be Orthodox Christians. The requirement to know the repertoire before coming to the Academy may be met with outstanding sight-reading skills and/or with familiarity with Russian Orthodox church singing.
What will the repertoire consist of?
The repertoire will consist of traditional Russian Orthodox hymns. As a general rule, the Mixed Choir will sing in English, and the Male Choir will sing in Church Slavonic.
What are the housing arrangements?
The Academy has procured a special rate at the Radisson Hotel in Freehold, NJ.
Transportation to & from Howell:
The Academy will provide and organize car pools from & to EWR . Participants can make arrangements with Alex Milas or Tatiana Geringer of PaTRAM Institute.
Will meals be provided?
Yes–a delicious Russian-style, daily lunch, a meal at the banya during the special outing, and a banquet luncheon.
How long will registration remain open?
Registration will close two weeks prior to the start of the event.
What will the daily schedule look like?
The schedule will consist of choir rehearsals, shorter sessions in vocal technique and musicianship, and Divine Services; there will be Divine Services on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, including the Feast of St. John of Shanghai, which will be sung by the Male Choir.