Byzantine Chant Academy

An introduction to Byzantine Music’s expressive ornamentation and modal theory. Students will learn how to render melodic figures and formulas/theses in a traditional manner with expressive ornamentation and learn the structure and characteristics of the most standard forms of the modes of Byzantine Music. Prerequisites include basic facility in reading and singing notes and rhythm from Byzantine notation, including fluency in parallagí/solfège. Students unknown to the instructors are required to submit a short recorded example of their singing from Byzantine Notation along with registration.

An exploration of the more difficult and developed modes of Byzantine Music, including modulation between different modes and scales. Students will develop fuller expression through more polished ornamentation and nuanced tuning, as well as learning elements of Byzantine Music’s proper orthography. Prerequisites include a general facility with Byzantine Music’s notation and with its modal system, with at least some expressive elements. Students unknown to the instructors are required to submit a short recorded example of their singing from Byzantine Notation along with registration.

There is a $150 surcharge for the Master Class. Class size is limited. Instructor: John Michael Boyer.

The Master Class is for more fully developed cantors and will explore advanced and expert repertoire spanning the full spectrum of Byzantine modes and genres, including more highly developed stylistic elements and nuanced tuning. Prerequisites include total facility with Byzantine notation and a fuller understanding of Byzantine Music’s modal system. Students unknown to the instructors are required to submit a short recorded example of their singing from Byzantine Notation along with registration.