Conducting Masterclass for Church Choir Directors

Teaching the Methods of Ilya Musin

Led by Dr. Peter Jermihov

Two Saturdays, August 1 & 8, 2026 (Attending both days is mandatory.)
Registration opens Jan 5, 2026

Peter Jermihov, DMusA
US: 1.773.558.4864
GRAMMY-Nominated Conductor
Artistic Director, St. Romanos Cappella
Choir Director, Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago
Founder & Artistic Director, Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist
Peter Jermihov, Conductor & Teacher
Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist
Dale M. Golden, Personal Representative
Music awakens the power of deep feelings that wondrously slept in the heart.
– Friedrich von Schiller

Who is Ilya Musin?

Ilya Musin’s Language of Conducting Gestures
Ilya Musin Bio

Byzantine Chant Academies

The Liturgical Arts Academy

Intermediate, Advanced & Master Class
Sun, August 23 – Sat, August 29, 2026

This intensive in-person training continues with stronger class focus at the Intermediate, Advanced and Master Class levels. Prospective students will apply for acceptance into the Academy by completing the application form and submitting the specified audio samples for review. We will publish a timeline of deadlines for submissions and notifications of the status of your application. We ask that you be patient with this process and wait until the the appropriate date to be notified.

• Location: The Diakonia Center
• Sun, August 23 – Sat, Aug 29, 2026
• Information & Registration

Church Choir Director 101

Juliana Woodill [Bio]

September 25-27, 2026  |  Registration closes September 15.
St. Tikhon’s Monastery Music Center, 175 St. Tikhons Rd, Waymart PA 18472

Are you new to church choir directing?
What are the basics a church choir director needs to know to do their job?
What resources are available for further training?
Where do you even begin?

The Church Choir Director 101 workshop will build fundamental skills for newer church conductors who may not have extensive training in Orthodox music. (ex/ high school band teacher, can play the piano, clergy wife, etc). Friday will include an introduction of the basic toolbox and an overview of the skills you will be developing. Saturday we will focus on practicing skill sets including: pitch giving, basic conducting gesture, planning services and rehearsals. Sunday will include a Q&A discussion with Juliana, and time to consider what comes next! You will leave inspired and encouraged, with resources and newfound skills to take with you.

• Thursday – Sunday, October 8-11, 2026

• Host Parish: Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 29 Central St,
  Somerville, MA

• $250 per participant

• Information & Registration

Building Singing Communities: Working with Children, Youth and New Singers

Anne Schoepp [Bio]

October 23-25, 2026  |  Registration closes October 13.
St. Tikhon’s Monastery Music Center, 175 St. Tikhons Rd, Waymart PA 18472

We are overjoyed to welcome Anne Schoepp  to St. Tikhon’s for this weekend workshop! Anne serves as Protopsaltis and Choir Director at St. Lawrence Orthodox Church in Felton, CA. Anne will be our expert guide giving us tools, skills & resources of how we can work with children, youth & new singers of all ages.

Our parish communities can provide musical opportunities for all levels of singers to experience joy and spiritual growth. Our music communities have the power to form and nurture people. And singing our Orthodox hymns and psalms is a healing force for all of us that unites and integrates all aspects of our person: mind, body and spirit.

Byzantine Chant Academies

The Liturgical Arts Academy

Level 2 Beginners & Early Intermediates
Sun, February 7 – Sun, February 14, 2027

We now have a Winter Academy that is specifically designed for advanced beginners and early intermediate students. You will be asked to submit an application for review and acceptance. Please read details below. Note that the Summer Academy is for Intermediate, Advanced and Master Class.

• Location: The Diakonia Center
• Sun, February 7 – Sun, February 14, 2027
• Application begins in September 2026
• Information & Registration

Advance Announcements

Winter Sacred Music Institute
Feb. 4-7, 2027
St. James Church, 725 Maze Blvd, Modesto, CA 95351

42nd Annual Sacred Music Institute
July 7-11, 2027
Antiochian Village

MINI-CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTHEASTERN FEDERATION OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH MUSICIANS

St Catherine GOC
West Palm Beach, FL

July 17-19, 2026

The Liturgy of Peace
Christopher Kypros, Director & Composer

Members of our Chicago Federation were invited to attend the Mini-Conference with Chris Kypros, July 17 – 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, FL. Gia Xenakis, Joanne Volakakis, George & Sam Panagopoulos attended.

A wonderful video recording of the Divine Liturgy can be viewed HERE. This video was produced by choir member Pantelis Loloson (St. Catherine’s, West Palm Beach) using an Insta360 camera. The quality of video and audio is excellent.

Flash Choir #4

Saint Iakovos GOC – Valparaiso, IN

Sunday, July 12, 2026

• Address: 36 W 700 N, Valparaiso, IN 46385
• Clergy: Rev. Fr. James Greanias
• Service Times: Be ready for warmup by 8:30 AM. Doxology 9:15 AM.
• Choir Director: Jerry Hughes
• Music: The music will be the compilation regularly done by the St Demetrios Hammond Choir. Copies will be provided.
• Robes not required

St. Iakovos Church in Valparaiso, Indiana hosted the summer’s fourth Federation-wide Flash Choir. Jerry Hughes of St. Demetrios/Hammond served as the choir director, and twenty choir members representing our Metropolis joined in singing the Liturgy. The parish of St. Iakovos has a newly constructed church under the direction of Fr. James Greanias their Protopresbyter. This event allowed our visiting choir members to sing in the brand-new edifice and try out the new acoustics.

We thank Fr. Jim and the parishioners of St. Iakovos for supporting our Metropolis Ministry efforts.

Antiochian Department of Sacred Music

Summer Sacred Music Institute, July 8 – 12, 2026

• Antiochian Village Conference & Retreat Center
• Wed, July 8 – Sun, July 12, 2026
• Information & Registration
• Registration is now open. Complete the Pre-SMI Placement Survey by June 21.
• Youth Track for limited number of registrants, 14-18 yrs old.

48th Bicentennial Clergy-Laity Congress

June 30 – July 2, 2026 | Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland OH

Calling All Choirs: Join Us at the 2026 Clergy-Laity Congress to help us celebrate the National Forum’s 50th Anniversary!

Singing Events: (*See rehearsal info below.)
• Opening Ceremony and Agiasmo Service – June 30
• Synodal Hierarchical Divine Liturgy – July 1
• Grand Banquet – July 2
• Pop-Up Opportunities to sing throughout the Conference including patriotic selections

Educational Opportunities:
• Many Workshops – all three days (detailed info coming soon.)
• Ministry displays at the Ministry Pavillion

Social Events:
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after hours visit – June 30
• National Forum 50th Anniversary Luncheon with Archbishop Elipdophoros and all our Metropolitans – July 2
• Laity Grand Banquet – July 2

*To sufficiently prepare for the singing events, rehearsals will be held on Sunday, June 28 at 7:00 PM and all day on Monday, June 29.

Clergy-Laity Congress Website

St. Vladimir Seminary Summer Music Institute

June 23-27, 2026 | Register HERE.

Pre-Institute Intensive, June 22-23, 2026

Summer Music Institute Scholarship. Deadline to apply is March 17.

The Pre-Institute Intensive has already sold out, but there is still space available to join us at the full Summer Music Institute at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, in person or online, this June 23–27, 2026.

A limited amount of scholarships are also still available to help cover registration costs, through the John Paterakis Summer Music Institute Scholarship Fund. Mr. Paterakis is a generous supporter of Orthodox liturgical music in North America. Email musicinstitute@​svots.edu to apply for a scholarship.

The Summer Music Institute at St. Vladimir’s Seminary continues its tradition of offering immersion into the Church’s liturgical life and tradition, opportunities to build skills, and warm fellowship among people who love Church music.

This year’s Institute will celebrate and explore the planting, cultivation, and flourishing of Orthodox musical traditions in North America, and the musicians who laid the groundwork for the English language liturgical singing of today. Learn from noted teachers and experts including Alexander Lingas, Vladimir Morosan, Photini Downie Robinson, Juliana Woodill, and Alice Hughes.

Participants may choose from three focused tracks: conducting, vocal technique, and—NEW for this year—advanced studies in the history of liturgical music.

Flash Choir #3

St Demetrios GOC – Chicago, IL

Sunday, June 14, 2026

• Address: 2727 W Winona St, Chicago, IL 60625
• Clergy: Rev. Fr. Andrew G. Georganas
• Service Times: 9:30 AM Liturgy, Please arrive by 8:45 AM, cry room in LOFT for warm up.
• Choir Director: Georgia Mitchell
• Organist: Sarah Rattana
• Music: Anastasiou Liturgy, you are free to bring your own book, music will be provided.
• Robes not required

The third Flash Choir of this summer was hosted by St. Demetrios Church in Chicago. Rev. Father Andreas G. Georganas, Ieratikos Proistamenos welcomed the visiting singers who joined with host choir members in offering a Liturgy on June 14th. Georgia Mitchell of SS Peter and Paul/Glenview served as the choir director and Sarah Rattana of St. Nicholas/Oak Lawn served as the organist. For Georgia it served as a return to her “roots” as she began as an organist for the St. Demetrios Choir when she was a teenager. St. Demetrios was hosting their annual Festival that Sunday, so the visiting singers also got to enjoy the food, desserts and delights of the day.

Flash Choir #2

All Saints GOC – Joliet, IL

Sunday, June 7, 2026

Mrs Rena Meintanis – Choir Director of All Saints GOC in Joliet for 48 yrs, is retiring. This will be her last Liturgy as Director! Please join us!

• Address: 102 N Broadway St, Joliet, IL 60435
• Clergy: Rev. Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos
• Service Times: Please arrive by 9:15 AM in the Choir Loft.
• Choir Director: Rena Meintanis
• Organist: Diane Hoffmeyer
• Music: The music will be the compilation regularly done by the host choir. Copies will be provided.
• Robes not required

The second Flash Choir of the summer was hosted by All Saints Church in Joliet, honoring the retirement of Rena Meintanis. Rena served as Choir Director of All Saints for 48 years. On June 7th it was her last Liturgy as Director. The organist for the Flash Choir was Diane Hoffmeyer of All Saints/Joliet. The music was a compilation regularly sung by the host choir. The officiating priest was Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos. The Federation congratulates Rena on her years of service and dedication to our ministry.

Flash Choir #1. Held on April 26

Annunciation GOC, 296 N Washington Ave, Kankakee IL, 60901-3761

Fourteen choir members gathered on April 26th to sing the Liturgy under the direction of Jerry Hughes (Asst. Director/St. Demetrios, Hammond, IN) with organist Rosie DeSanto (Accompanist/St. Nicholas, Oak Lawn, IL). Attendees represented All Saints/Joliet, Holy Apostles/Westchester, St. Demetrios/Libertyville, St. Nicholas/Oak Lawn, St. Demetrios/Hammond, St. Spyridon/Palos Heights, and Annunciation/Kankakee.

Fr. Nicholas Greanias, our Metropolis Federation Ministry Advisor, who served as Proestaminos of Annunciation, requested the Flash Choir. He led his congregation in the joyous hymn of Christos Aneste in his final Liturgy prior to his retirement. Following the service, all parishioners and visitors gathered on the church’s front steps for a group portrait. Immediately after a buffet of grilled chicken, pork souvlaki and loads of side dishes and desserts was offered to all. Federation members even provided an impromptu kazoo concert while Fr. Nick sang.

Maria Meintanis, President of the Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians: Chicago Metropolis, presented a gift on behalf of all members of the Federation to Fr. Nick on the occasion of his retirement. Participants joined her in thanking him for his years of dedicated service as a priest within our Metropolis.

The Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, Chicago Metropolis, will be hosting more Flash Choir events this summer. YOU (choir/chanters) are invited to join us for all – or one – they are totally voluntary. The purpose of a Flash Choir is to visit churches throughout our Metropolis to support/mentor new Directors, inspire church members to form a choir, offer established Directors the opportunity to conduct Federation members, or just to visit Federation friends, etc. Unless otherwise specified, we will be singing the Anastasiou Liturgy.

Join us this summer! The schedule will be out very soon.

The Greek Women’s University Club
Annual National Music Competition

Saturday, April 25, 2026
11:00 AM

Alice Millar Chapel
Northwestern University
1870 N. Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-0872

Award presentation and reception will follow the competition.

Admission is free.

For additional information or to bring a treat to share during the reception, contact Chairperson
Anna Moreno at 773-338-0346 or akmoreno@comcast.net

“Twilight of Byzantium”
A Concert by Cappella Romana

7:00 PM, Friday, April 24, 2026, Kracum Performance Hall
Carleton College, One North College St, Northfield, MN 55057

On 29 May 1453, the city of Constantinople fell after a two month siege by the Ottoman Turks. This event brought to an end the political legacy of the Roman Empire in the East, and it concluded more than a century of efforts to revitalize the fortunes of Byzantium through diplomacy and dialogue with the Latin West.

In this program, Cappella Romana explores the musical soundscape of this period through their performance of selections from the Liturgy of Hagia Sophia, contemporary Orthodox and Latin chant, and Lamentations prepared especially to respond to this dramatic world event. This concert and brief residency complement a course dedicated to a deep, historical understanding of the Fall, its context, causes, and consequences. More Info HERE.

NOTE: This event is free and open to the public. No ticket or reservation is required to attend. The house doors will open 15 minutes prior (6:45 PM) to the performance start time (7:00 PM)

Conducting Retreat | Dr. Marika Kuzma

Fri – Sat, February 6-8, 2026

We are very excited to welcome renowned conductor and scholar Dr. Marika Kuzma to St. Tikhon’s for this weekend retreat.

Conductors of all levels are welcome! Each conducting registrant will receive one-on-one instruction and feedback from Marika to help you grow in your conducting skill and hone your technique. Discounted registration for students, or anyone who would like to come observe / audit for the weekend.

• Tikhon’s Monastery Music Center, Waymart PA 18472
• Friday 7:00 PM – Sunday 1:00PM
• Schedule & Registration HERE. ($75, Does not include lodging.)

Antiochian Department of Sacred Music

Winter Sacred Music Institute, Feb 5– 8, 2026

• St. George Church, Phoenix AZ
• Thurs, Feb 5 – Sun, Feb 8, 2026
• WSMI Announcement
• Tentative Schedule to be released soon.

Nativity Concert

Pan-Orthodox Choir of Greater Chicago

Sunday, December 28, 2025, 6:00 PM

Holy Nativity Romanian Orthodox Church
5825 N Mozart St, Chicago IL 60659

Holy Nativity Church website

Guest Parish Choirs:

• Assumption Greek Orthodox
  • Marika Panton, Director
• Holy Nativity Romanian Orthodox
  • John E. Lazar, Director

Composing & Arranging for your Church Choir

November 7-9, 2025

Registration $150, Student $75.00

We are very excited to welcome renowned composer Nicholas Reeves to St. Tikhon’s for this weekend retreat!

Over the course of three days participants will explore different models and approaches to writing music for Orthodox Church singers. This workshop is ideal for those who are currently composing or would like to know how to compose for liturgical purposes.

Composer Nicholas Reeves will demonstrate with his own compositions and arrangements how both chant and choral music can be utilized for each person’s context & capabilities within a parish setting.

In addition to demonstrating compositional techniques, Dr. Reeves will also be reviewing a select number of compositions/arrangements by retreat participants. If you are registering and would like to submit a musical work for evaluation during the weekend, please submit your piece to our Music Coordinator, Amy, at admin@stmarts.org . Dr. Reeves will consider each submission and select certain pieces that best represent the compositional techniques discussed to present them to the group as a whole.

Reeves’s works will be sung in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 9 to demonstrate the main teaching goals and practical application.

St Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale in Concert

Thursday, Nov 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM CST

Fitting & Right: A Tribute to Boris Ledkovsky (1894–1975)

The St. Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale will honor eminent Orthodox Church musician Boris Ledkovsky with a public performance on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The free concert will be held at the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel and will also be streamed online starting at 7pm EST/4pm PST.

The Chorale concert is a tribute to Boris Ledkovsky (1894–1975), honoring his foundational contributions to the repertoire and ethos of Orthodox Liturgical Music especially in America, and specifically at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. The year 2025 marks fifty years since Ledkovsky’s repose.

• Thursday – Sunday, Sept 11-14, 2025

• St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213

• 4 Workshop Tracks:
  Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Youth (ages 12-17)

• Registration & More Info HERE

2025 Summer Flash Choir Events!

ALL members of our Chicago Metropolis choirs are invited to participate in Flash Choir events. While we may represent different churches, sing different parts (SATB), and sing various versions of hymns, Flash Choirs welcome all to participate in these voluntary, drop-in offerings. The effort is to support each other, to truly work as sister churches by sharing our God-given talents where needed. The Clergy / Choir / Chanter / Congregation circle we create enhances the liturgical offering.

1. Choose the Flash choir you would like to attend.
2. Drop-in, in accordance with the directions in the Flash Choir Flyer.
3. Join your voice to others in praise to our Lord.

Try it! They’re fun! And you’ll make lots of new friends!

40th Annual Summer Sacred Music Institute
Wed – Sun, July 9 – 13, 2025, Antiochian Village
Respecting the Past – Embracing Our Future with Joy

The Sacred Music Institute will introduce many ways for musicians to deepen their skills through various modalities. Additionally, the worship and fellowship portions of the Institute are always well-loved by those who participate.

Youth Music Ministry (YMM)
Teens who have a love for sacred music may apply for the Youth Music Ministry (YMM) program. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon the student’s parish priest’s recommendation as well as parental consent. YMM will be limited to 30 teens. Please note, the Application and the Registration are two separate required forms. Teens must register with a code (provided after you are accepted).

YMM makes connections that last a lifetime! Our YMM participants are now the chanters, choir directors and singers in parishes around the Archdiocese. The former-teens have built strong relationships with a network of life-minded Orthodox musicians, as they have built their leadership and musical skills.

Centennial Celebration Choir Festival

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Choirs are invited to perform.

https://www.assumption100.com/calendar.php

email mmpanton@comcast.net

Pan-Orthodox Choir of Greater Chicago

Triumph of Orthodoxy
Sunday, March 9, 2025, 6:00 PM
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Akathist to Most Holy Mother of God
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 7:00 PM
St Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church

Church Choir Director 101

February 21-23, 2025  |  Registration closes February 15.
St. Tikhon’s Monastery Music Center, 175 St. Tikhons Rd, Waymart PA 18472

We are delighted to welcome the fabulous Juliana Woodill, who is a resoundedly wonderful instructor and whose love for Orthodox music and choir directing is infectious!

The Church Choir Director 101 workshop will build fundamental skills for newer church conductors who may not have extensive training in Orthodox music. (ex/ high school band teacher, can play the piano, clergy wife, etc). Friday will include an introduction of the basic toolbox and an overview of the skills you will be developing. Saturday we will focus on practicing skill sets including: pitch giving, basic conducting gesture, planning services and rehearsals. Sunday will include a Q&A session, an opportunity for reflection, and time to consider what comes next! You will leave inspired and encouraged, with resources and newfound skills to take with you.

This year’s Chicago Federation’s winter trip took us to St. Augustine, FL, where we visited the St. Photios Shrine and sang at the St. Photios Banquet on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
The St. Photios banquet was held at the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel, 6 W Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL.

Sunday, Jan 19, 2025
3:30 PM, Lecture, Dr. Kurt Sander
4:30 PM, St. Romanos Cappella
Dr. Peter Jermihov, Director
St. Andrew GOC, Chicago IL

Tickets/Poster   Press Release

Sunday, Dec 8, 2024, The Carlisle, Lombard IL

• Thursday – Saturday, Oct 17-20, 2024

• St. Sophia GOC, Elgin IL

• Registration & More Info HERE