F RST MODE THE EASTERN FEDERATION OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH MUSICIANS NEWSLETTER 2020 EDITION

You have heard the word "cancelled" too many times this year! This time, here's good news! The EFGOCM is planning a Virtual Church Music Institute with composer and director Christopher Kypros. He will use key hymns from our wor-ship to help us increase our vocal skills and to explore the ways that our music can en-hance our spir-itual development. Six one hour sessions will be held in October and November, one each week, with "replay" capabilities for those who might miss the live on-line session. This CMI is co-sponsored and financially sup-ported by the National Forum & EFGOCM.

 

YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS FOR 2020 

The EFGOCM con nues to acknowledge those chanters and choir members who serve the Church through God’s gi of music. Awards are offered for 10, 25, and 50 years of service.

Congratula ons to those who have achieved these milestones!

10‐year recipient is Nichole e St. Mar n

25‐year recogni ons will go to Ipa a Apostolides, Tula Arland, Dr. James Georges, Alexandra Farsadakis, Tina Hanzas and Daphne Tsimpris

50‐year recogni ons will go to Heidi Derdevanis, Stella Hansard, Vasilios Kalogredis, Carol Leon, Nick Pappas and Vernon Rey

April 10, 2020 would have been the 30th anniversary of "The Spirit of Lent" concert performed by the New Jersey District of EFGOCM. On the day before our first rehearsal, March 16 we were informed that we needed to cancel this event by our host church Holy Trinity, Wes ield due to Covid‐19. Kathryn Athanasoulas, ‐ director; Hope Demitry ‐ Organist. Needless to say, we were very disappointed but certainly understood the reason.

Annapolis Conference Cancelled Unfortunately, we had to cancel the 2020 conference due to the pandemic. Although ex‐

pected and certainly the right thing to do...we will still miss the fellowship with all of

you! We look forward to another year when we can all SAFELY travel to Annapolis!

N F M S 11‐14, 2020...virtually! Fi y delegates and stewards of the Na onal Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians (“the Na onal Forum”) met virtually this past weekend. The Na onal Forum serves as the music ‘department’ of the Archdiocese and meets annually to conduct the business and management ini a ves of our music ministry. This year we also had elec ons and welcome Nick Chimitris of the Chicago Metropolis as our new Chairman. Our own Father Nick Bacalis from Richmond who has served for many years as our spiritual advisor also stepped down and Father Chrysostomos Gilbert has taken his place. One of our main projects to approve was a posi on paper asser ng the two methods of music in our Archdiocese—choral (choirs) and chanters and that they have and should con nue to co‐exist .

Many thanks to Father Demitri Antokas, Paul Mavromihalis and the Bethesda choir and community for opening their parish so that we may all come together in fellowship and song!! And here we all are...

2019 Bethesda Conference

Pam Sande is honored with the Athenagoras Medal presented by Metropolitan Evangelos with Father Demitri Antokas, President Paul Mavromihalis and Awards Chair Nick Kyrus.

Jim Bostaph at organ, enjoying Ryan’s workshop and Nick Kyrus as guest conductor for the 2019 Annual EFGOCM Conference, premiering the new Gallos II 2nd Ed sung primarily in English

Metropolitan Evangelos addresses the EFGOCM attendees on Saturday evening

His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos and Father Demitri Antokas with the Anna Gallos Scholarship recipient for 2019, Kleo Corbino from St. Luke in Broomall, PA

The Eastern Federation of Church Musicians offers scholarships for undergraduates, graduates and continuing education to encourage the Greek Orthodox faithful to grow their abilities as church musicians. The deadline for receipt for the undergraduate/ graduate scholarship is May 1, 2021 and the Scholarship Committee will make its determination at its annual May meeting. The continuing education scholarship has no official deadline, but applications should be submitted as promptly as possible. Please share this information on to any qualified individual. The Guidelines and application forms can be found on the EFGOCM website: http://newjersey.churchmusic.goarch.org/resources/scholarships.html

Scholarship Guidelines

SCHOLARSHIPS will be considered for voice, piano, organ, conducting, music education, composition and/or Byzantine chant, professional development or National Forum Church Music Institute (CMI). QUALIFICATIONS for Undergraduate/Graduate/Renewal

Applicant must be Greek Orthodox. Applicant’s parish must be a current member of the Eastern Federation of Greek

Orthodox Church Musicians for the Metropolis of New Jersey. Applicant must be seeking an education in music, either as a major or minor or a

graduate advancing their knowledge in any of the above areas excluding CMI. Applicant must have participated in Greek Orthodox Church music ministries. Scholarship must be applied for annually. A previous awardee may apply annually, if

applicant continues to meet scholarship criteria.

QUALIFICATIONS for Continuing Education Applicant must be Greek Orthodox. Applicant’s parish must be a current member of the Eastern Federation of Greek

Orthodox Church Musicians for the Metropolis of New Jersey. Applicant must be seeking to advance their musical development in church music by

attending a musical workshop, a National Forum Church Music Institute (CMI) workshop, or private instruction in any of the above areas.

Applicant must have documented participation in Greek Orthodox Church music ministries.

For more information and/or applications go to the EFGOCM website: http://newjersey.churchmusic.goarch.org/resources/scholarships.html If you have any questions, contact Alexa Garrison, Scholarship Chairman at alexagarrison@cox.net

Scholarship News

Want to get involved in the Federation? 1. Run for an office! Contact Drucie Papafil @ papafida@evms.edu 2. Join one of our strategic planning committees...here are the areas

of interest

Establishing vibrant youth music program Becoming spiritually engaged Developing a comprehensive music ministry Increasing the number of educa onal ac vi es Developing a stronger rela onship within the Metropolis Increasing par cipa on in choirs

 Please e‐mail Miriam Kotsonis at mekotsonis@gmail.com if you would like to serve on the commi ee for any of the ini a ves listed above.

 All “mee ngs” will be virtual and by computer and will not involve travel...just your input!!

The Eastern Federa on of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians hosts the newjersey‐churchmusic email list. This is a broadcast‐only list, so it will not overload you with messages. You will typically receive 1‐2 messages every other month about church music and other Metropolis news that may be of interest to church musicians. Messages have "Metropolis of New  Jersey Church Music" in the subject line, so you’ll know where they are coming from, and all addresses are Blind Copied to protect your privacy. Addresses are not shared and there is no charge or requirement for membership in the federa on.

NO DUES THIS YEAR!! 

Yes, you heard us right ! The EFGOCM will not be reques ng annual membership in support of our

financially stressed parishes & church musicians’ budgets

COVID Information Resources for Singers Compiled for the EFGOCM Board Meeting

Last Updated 05/30/20

National Association of Teachers of Singing (https://nats.org/)

https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialNATS LIST OF ARTICLES TO ACCOMPANY NATS WEBINAR

“A Conversation: What Do Science and Data Say About the Near-Term Future of Singing” compiled by Deanna McBroom, MM This is a representative list of articles and sources intended to provide easy access to fact-based research resources in order to consider the effect of Covid19 on singing training and performance. While by no means an exhaustive literature review on topics related to Covid19 and singing, it comes from many disciplines that have bearing on the singing task in a variety of environments and rooms, styles and genres, both as a solo singer and in groups, both amateurs and professionals. Included are articles and guidelines from the worlds of the sport athlete, the wind instrumentalist, and the dancer, who are affected by similar behavior-al, performance, and lifestyle issues. Several citations come from colleagues who represent organizations in Athletes and the Arts. NATS is a member of this consortium of arts and sport organizations; its purpose is to share and benefit from each other’s expertise and fact-based research, and to collaborate and advocate for the health and welfare of all artists and sport athletes. Deanna McBroom, MM – Compiler NATS Representative to Athletes and the Arts & Performing Arts Medicine Association Singing Voice Specialist-Medical University of SC Professor Emerita of Voice-The College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

https://www.nats.org/_Library/COVID_19_Resource_Docs/COVID19_SINGING-Research_Articles_Guidelines_List_-_McBroom_5-5-20.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1jWgGnGrWQ9pyR6GHCne10FFzjsAtQnf-LMxwy43ZXxp3co6zV3RcoWgE

American Choral Directors Association/ACDA (https://acda.org/)

Resources for Choral Professionals During the Pandemic https://acda.org/resources-for-choral-professionals-during-a-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR2YUes-

q1lrRBcihBlyBYNwosQZTyyuIuXDvG2iiK53QS8YZJ_Igs4igwQ Topic: Singing: What We CAN Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhXpCQlpE3M

Chorus America (https://www.chorusamer ica.org/)

https://www.chorusamerica.org/resource/top-resource/choruses-covid-19-coronavirus

Follow-and-Sing-Along "Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος" (Gallos) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmfWkKtTT5U&feature=youtu.be

Virtual Choir Rehearsals (Zoom) https://galachoruses.org/resource-center/quarantined-choirs/virtual-choir-rehearsal

The EFGOCM Board and the

Annunciation Cathedral of Norfolk

invite you to our 2021 Annual Conference

Sing in a Saturday Evening Tribute Concert

honoring the Liturgical Works of Christopher Kypros

and a traditional Sunday Morning Divine Liturgy

both under the direction of Christopher Kypros

October 28-31, 2021 Norfolk, Virginia

MARK YOUR CALENDAR & SAVE THE DATE for the 2021 Conference!!  

The EFGOCM Annual Conference will be held October 28‐31, 2021 in Norfolk, Virginia. The format will be a Saturday evening concert of Kypros Liturgical Music and a

“familiar” Divine Liturgy on Sunday, all conducted by Christopher Kypros.