Byzantine church music
The course follows a step-by-step development from note reading to singing hymns from the liturgical books.
Participants learn to decipher both Western staff notation and Byzantine notation, develop their voice, perform biblical texts in the context of the liturgy and, building on this, work with liturgical texts and their musical settings.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants are expected (individually and collectively) to be able to:
- read Western and Byzantine musical notation within the octoechos system;
- pitch to the church's intonation in order to begin a hymn;
- read a biblical passage aloud in a comprehensible manner;
- adapt a melody to a hymn while respecting the rules of prosody; and
- distinguish regional variants of chant and understand how they relate to other Eastern Orthodox chant traditions.
Learning method
At Sankt Ignatios College, the overarching principle guiding learning is that all knowledge is intersubjective.
Knowledge is a dialogue that requires humility and empathy.
The course is based on collaborative and dialogic learning, where participants actively shape both their shared learning journey and the course itself. Content, materials, and methods are adapted in real-time based on the participants' needs, interests, and contributions. In addition to mastering the subject matter, a central goal is for each participant to become aware of how shared learning experiences and dialogue transform their thinking, practice, and identity. Through dialogue, storytelling, group discussions, joint reflection, creative expression, and collective exploration, participants develop an awareness of their own development while simultaneously supporting others. The learning community becomes a space where everyone's experiences and questions not only enrich understanding but also actively guide the course's direction, helping each individual integrate learning into their own life context in a meaningful and personally transformative way.
The course is divided into groups based on the participants' musical experience, and progress depends on their ability to assimilate music.
Requirements
Attendance is compulsory. Participants are expected to take part in all course activities, both by attending and actively participating in scheduled sessions and by completing assignments outside scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may need to complete additional assignments to meet the course’s learning objectives. To be considered as having completed the course, 80% attendance and active participation are required.
Syllabus
See the syllabus for further information.