St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - News Releases News Release Music Symposium Is an Unprecedented Gathering of Orthodox Liturgical Music Leaders

Crestwood, NY—Twenty-nine leaders in the field of Orthodox liturgical music were invited to St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary from December 10 through December 12, 2004, for a special music symposium. The purpose of the symposium was twofold: to bring together liturgical music leaders from multiple jurisdictions so that they might meet one another and discuss their work and to give participants the opportunity to hear scholarly presentations on the theme of the Octoechos. Much time was dedicated to discussing the historical implications of this central liturgical text—both textual and musical—as they affect the Orthodox Church's modern understanding and use.

Dr Peter Jeffery, the Scheide Professor of Music History at Princeton University, gave the keynote address entitled "The Eight Modes Across Cultures: Schemata, Models and Paradigms," in which he discussed the shared eight-mode liturgical structure in both east and west, and examined what happens when music and liturgy move from culture to culture. Other talks and panel discussions were given by: Mr Symeon Frøyshov, senior research fellow at the University of Oslo, Norway; Archimandrite Ephrem Lash, liturgical language scholar and lecturer from Manchester, United Kingdom; Reader Isaac Lambertsen, staff at the chancery of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia; Mr Mark Bailey, lecturer in liturgical music at St Vladimir's Seminary and consultant for the OCA Department of Liturgical Music. Mr David Drillock, professor emeritus of liturgical music at St Vladimir's Seminary, gave the summary address.

Of the twenty-nine musicians and scholars invited to the symposium, the majority came from locations throughout North America. However several came from overseas, including Fr Michael Fortounatto, choir director at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in London, and Ivan Moody, a prominent Orthodox composer living in Lisbon, Portugal. Up until now, there has been limited opportunity for Orthodox musicians and academics from different jurisdictions and academic institutions to gather together in one place. Due to limited opportunities for collaboration, some work has been duplicated and re-duplicated. Therefore this symposium was both an unprecedented and valuable gathering. All expenses were funded by a generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation. St Vladimir's Seminary serves the Orthodox Church across all jurisdictions and was therefore pleased to host this important event.