New: Parish Programs Page / Educ Online Class / Area Rehearsal #4, 7PM Mon, Sept 14, Holy Apostles GOC, Westchester, IL

Resources

Publications / Organizations / Scholarships

Recording in Progress! 😉

SoundCloud Recordings

Albums by the Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, Chicago Metropolis

Click HERE to find our streamable recordings!

All available and allowable conference recordings are available! Each year is presented as an “Album,” allowing listeners to access a particular conference recording. The easiest way to access recordings is to download the SoundCloud app and sign up. A general subscription is free of charge.

Most of the years have been edited, in that they are “unedited” to include the full recording. As much of the Liturgy that was actually recorded, from “Blessed be the Kingdom” to the “many years” hymn at the end that was recorded is included. Also, ALL of the conference recordings are being re-mastered to the highest digital sampling since SoundCloud allows this.

Ethos & Yphos Podcasts

New Episode Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month!

Ethos & Yphos, a branch of SOA Media, is the official podcast of the Sons of Antioch Byzantine Choir. The Sons of Antioch explore the height and the breadth of the Church’s musical tradition, covering topics related to Byzantine chant, composition, typikon, hymnography, and parish ministry. Drawing on connections across the Orthodox world, the choir also invites distinguished guests to offer their expertise on matters of music and music ministry.

Through in-depth discussions and interviews, Ethos & Yphos gives a voice to the opportunities and challenges that chanters navigate in the spiritual life of the Church. Whether a seasoned chanter or a curious observer, the Sons of Antioch call on our listeners to engage with the ethos of the psaltic art, leading to a greater enthusiasm and execution of proper yphos and practice at the chant stand and beyond.

Podcasts: The Living Tradition of Byzantine Music in America

Byzantine chant is a living tradition comprising a rich, diverse, multilingual repertoire, and in recent years its practice, pedagogy, and development in English have expanded tremendously. English-language scores, recordings, teaching resources, and even professional credentials are now available, and new materials are being produced on an ongoing basis. Cantors Amy Hogg and Richard Barrett discuss the state of the field in English-language Byzantine chant, exploring where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. Along the way you’ll hear interviews with different teachers, composers, and cantors, and—hopefully—you’ll learn to chant some things yourself! Ancient Faith Ministries.

Digital Chant Stand

The Digital Chant Stand of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America provides resources intended to enhance the worship experience of the Orthodox faithful with easily accessible liturgical texts and music.

New Byzantium Publications

New Byzantine Publications
A Service of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.

The hymnody of the Greek Orthodox Church has been handed down through the ages in a complete form, consisting of thousands of texts that include Psalms, prayers, praises, poems, sermons, and histories. The language of these texts in their original Greek is of a very high literary quality containing much poetic description, imagery, and power. These carefully constructed texts are accompanied by a specifically-formulated musical system for their oral expression by appointed chanters and choirs of the Church who lead the congregation in hymn singing and responses. Today, these chanters and choirs include both the formally trained and ordained, and musical volunteers from the laity who may be untrained in the rubrics of Orthodox hymnody. For these chanters and choirs with lesser training, this website offers resources, educational essays, and all of the hymns in the Sunday Resurrectional and Festal Divine Liturgies and other common hymns and services. The hymns are in Greek and English. There are many English translations elsewhere, but many fail to transmit the poetry and power of their Greek counterparts, nor are many metered properly to the model melodies of the Church, which makes it impossible to chant them in the prescribed manner. The English versions on this website try to correct these problems and make the English as understandable, poetic, and easy to convey as possible.

Byzantine Music and Theory Guide for iPad

The GoArch Interactive Edition of the Byzantine Music and Theory Guide is now available for Apple’s iBooks on the iPad. Embedded audio examples accompany the music and text to assist you in learning Byzantine chant. Learn More And Download From Itunes

School of Byzantine Music YouTube

The official YouTube Channel of the School of Byzantine Music of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

VRev. Dr John Erickson: Keynote at 2024 Colloquium, Liturgical Music in Orthodox Theological Education

Former Professor of Church History and Dean Emeritus, the Very Rev. Dr John Erickson returned to St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary to deliver the keynote address for the 2024 Colloquium on Liturgical Music in Eastern Orthodox Theological Education. Fr John gave his talk Identity, Authenticity, Fidelity: Stories From the Last Century and What We Might Learn From Them Today.

National Forum 2026 Liturgical Guidebook

Available starting December 27, 2025, the 2026 edition brings you the same favorite features, functionality, and layout that made last year’s Guidebook a must-have for church musicians everywhere!

♥ What You Love, Now 2 Years Strong: The 2026 Liturgical Guidebook retains all the innovative updates that transformed your music worship experience:

• Digital PDF Version: Access the complete guidebook anytime, anywhere, with search and print features designed for convenience and flexibility.

• Greek Transliteration: Seamlessly navigate hymn titles with clear transliterations like Ἐν Ἰορδάνη / En Iordhani (When in the Jordan), bridging language gaps and enriching your hymn selections.

• Streamlined Organization: Enjoy easy navigation with reorganized sections, quick-reference National Forum links, and a single, dedicated space for guidebook resources.

• Antiphonal Psalm Verses: Follow Sunday and Feast Day service charts with integrated antiphonal Psalm Verses, eliminating unnecessary page flipping.

• Comprehensive Resources Section: Find all National Forum publications, contact details, and award recipients compiled in one easily accessible place.

• Feedback Welcomed: Continue to share your thoughts effortlessly via QR codes in the print version or with a click in the digital version. Your voice shapes future editions!

• Sales & Ordering Information Availability: Launched 27Dec2025.
• Digital PDF Version: $30 (for immediate download)
• Spiral Print Version: $45 (includes shipping and handling)
• Bundle – Digital PDF and Spiral Print Versions: $70 (includes shipping and handling)

Order Online at the National Forum Marketplace.

Don’t miss your chance to secure the 2026 Liturgical Guidebook and ensure your worship services remain inspiring and well-prepared. With proven features and reliable organization, the Guidebook is your key to enriching your church music ministry!

Sales & Ordering Information

• Digital PDF Version: $30 (for immediate download)
• Spiral Print Version: $45 (includes s/h)
• Bundle – Digital PDF and Spiral Print Versions: $70 (includes s/h)

Order Online at the National Forum Marketplace.

Don’t miss your chance to secure the 2026 Liturgical Guidebook and ensure your worship services remain inspiring and well-prepared. With proven features and reliable organization, the Guidebook is your key to enriching your church music ministry!

Organizations

National Forum of GOC Musicians

The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians was chartered and designated as an official auxiliary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Clergy Laity Congress of 1976. The National Forum is the national arm of the Archdiocese responsible for the development, recognition, and support of church choir and music education programs. The National Forum also serves as the liaison to the Archdiocese for church musicians, and completes the linkage from local choirs, through the Church Music Federations of the Metropolises, and up to the Archdiocese.

The 49th Annual Meeting of the National Forum was hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater, FL, July 3 – 6, 2025.

 

Funding: Annual Scholarships & Competitions

Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: Sunday, June 1, 2025

FOR: High school seniors or college students from the Chicago Metropolis who plan to study Music Theory, Music Composition, Voice, Choral Music, Byzantine Chant, Choral Conducting, Piano, Organ, Music Education, or another related field!

The Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, Chicago Metropolis, is pleased to offer the Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship again this year. The deadline for submitting the Application is June 1, 2025.

The Scholarship recipient will receive a one-time award in the amount of $1,000.

The Scholarship is made possible through the Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the Federation and recognizes the importance of educating and training its church musicians. It is expected that the Scholarship recipient will use this training, in part, in service to the Greek Orthodox Church and its ministries.

Contact mczaha@gmail.com for additional information.

Information and Application Form: 

  1. Petrovich Scholarship Flyer 2025
  2. Petrovich Scholarship Clergy Letter 2025
  3. Petrovich Scholarship Application
  4. 2025 Petrovich Guildeline 2025

Greek Women’s University Club
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 30, 2025

The Greek Women’s University Club envisions a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates Greek heritage while inspiring future generations to excel academically, embrace creativity, and contribute meaningfully to society.

We are dedicated to advancing education, promoting the arts, literature, and sciences, and preserving Hellenic history and culture. We supports academic achievement and fosters a sense of community through scholarships and programs that empower young women of Greek descent to pursue their educational and professional goals.

We hold a National Music Competition annually in Chicago:

  • Applicants must be young-men or women of Greek descent from-20 to-29-years of age.
  • Eight-to ten minute performance. Selection requirements are specified in the application.
  • Applications must-be received or postmarked no-later than March 30, 2025.
  • Award(s) of $1000 will be paid to the winner(s).
  • Competition Location/Date: Northwestem University Evanston Campus, Saturday, April 26, 2025.