Byzantine Chant at St. Nicholas
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" - Psalm 150:6
Byzantine chant, the traditional music of the Eastern Orthodox Church, boasts an uninterrupted history that stems from the chant dialects of the ancient eucharistic communities throughout the Christian world. Over the centuries, it evolved naturally and within specific traditional parameters, and was continuously refined by the Church. It is the music that the saints found most appropriate for communal prayer and for expressing Orthodox theology; the music that the emissaries of Prince Vladimir heard in Constantinople in the service that made them exclaim ecstatically, "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth!... We cannot forget that beauty," and thus led to the conversion of Russia to Orthodoxy.
Byzantine Chant Classes at St. Nicholas
In order to help more people learn and become involved with our music ministry, we will be offering classes in Byzantine chant. Classes take place on Saturdays at 4pm. If you are interested in learning and helping out, please feel free to attend! No prior knowledge of Byzantine chant is necessary or expected.
Resources for Chanters
- Musical Scores for Divine Liturgy
- GOA Digital Chant Stand - Includes the text of all the daily services of the Orthodox Church, along with musical scores and recordings
- The Divine Music Project at St. Anthony's Monastery - Includes scores for Orthodox hymns from throughout the year, as well as learning resources
- samuelherron.com - Private chant lessons, as well as musical scores and recordings for many Orthodox hymns
- Hymns and Music - From the Archdiocese Online Chapel
- Byzantine Music Theory and Practice Guide - Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music
