MAJOR PROGRAMS

The First Byzantine Music Conference

On January 20 and 21, 2006, the Axion Estin Foundation (AEF) hosted its first conference on Byzantine music in America at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle, New York. The theme of the conference was "Identifying Byzantine Music Teaching Methodologies Most Appropriate for America." The conference had the honor of being addressed by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America. The Sunday Orthros and Divine Liturgy were celebrated by Archbishop Demetrios and provided an experience rare in America: a complete hierarchical liturgy with authentic antiphonal Byzantine chanting.

The conference focused on the promulgation of Byzantine music through an examination of the ways in which Byzantine chant might be better taught in universities, as well as at schools of Greek Orthodox theology and to church members.  This conference's rare eclectic mix of international prestigious participants (from Greece, England, and the United States) included professors, monks, psalti and priests, as well as musicians affiliated with the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Musicians.  It was a resounding success.

Extensively discussed at this conference was the major barrier impeding the study and spread of Byzantine music and theory to the west and elsewhere is its traditional non-western system of notation, precluding its use by the bulk of modern musicians, who employ the western system, and of course, a requirement of fluency in Greek.  This major hurtle limits its practitioners to a relative handful of dedicated specialists, based largely in Greece.


Please join us for the Second Symposium on Byzantine Music Education.
For more information please click here.