Developing an Anglo-Byzantine Calligraphy for Memorial Plaques
I would like to describe an especially challenging recent project, in which I had the honor to collaborate with a master calligrapher. I was asked to create a pair of memorial plaques flanking an icon. The purpose was to commemorate donors who contributed to two separate capital campaigns benefitting Saint Nicholas Melkite Church, in Rochester,…
Continue reading »Till Morn Eternal Breaks
On November 9, a new recording by the Chamber Choir of St. Tikhon’s Monastery of original compositions and arrangements, entitled “Till Morn Eternal Breaks: Sacred Choral Music of Benedict Sheehan,” will go on sale from St. Tikhon’s Monastery Press. (To pre-order, visit stspress.com) The project is the first of its kind: a recording of new Orthodox music…
Continue reading »The Psalm 103 Project: A Status Report
It has been a little over two years since my last update on The Psalm 103 Project for Orthodox Arts Journal, so, perhaps now would be a good time to bring everybody up to speed again. The Psalm 103 Project, for those just now joining us, is a major undertaking of The Saint John of Damascus Society. It…
Continue reading »A New Icon Composition: Christ and the Rich Young Ruler
This spring, I received an email from an American client which left me both intrigued and slightly anxious. Would I like to paint a new icon depicting Christ’s interaction with the Rich Young Ruler described in each of the Synoptic Gospels? Yes, of course! Most icons are commissioned, discussed and then go onto my waiting…
Continue reading »Travelogue: The International Society for Orthodox Church Music 2015
In June of 2014, I was a participant in Kurt Sander’s Pan-Orthodox Liturgical Music Symposium at Northern Kentucky University. While I was there, a gentleman whose acquaintance I had newly made, one David Lucs, on hand to give a presentation on children’s music education, was rather excitedly asking virtually everybody during a coffee break, “Are…
Continue reading »The State of Church Singing in America: An Interview with Choirmaster Benedict Sheehan
Editor’s Note: This interview appeared originally on pravoslavie.ru, with questions posed by Jesse Dominick. Benedict Sheehan is a composer, conductor, arranger, writer about, and teacher of, music. He currently plies his trade at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and Monastery, where, since 2010, he has taught Orthodox liturgical music and directed the choirs. Benedict is also a regular…
Continue reading »First PaTRAM Institute Moscow Choral Workshop Concludes
On the morning of September 2, 2015, 34 international guests gathered at the Moscow Podvorye of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra for a five day workshop and master class sponsored by the Patriarch Tikhon Russian American Music (PaTRAM) Institute. As guests of the Podvorye, they worked with PaTRAM Artistic Director, Vladimir Gorbik, and joined members of…
Continue reading »Hope and Fragility: An Interview With Neo Coptic Iconographer Stéphane René
The Coptic tradition of iconography is one of which we know very little about in the West. So many of the ancient monuments were destroyed or came to disrepair as Copts in Egypt were subject to Islamic rule in the 7th century. It is only recently that the old monuments are being rediscovered, cleaned and restored properly.…
Continue reading »Till Morn Eternal Breaks—A Concert of New Music to Benefit St. Tikhon’s
Today’s press release from St. Tikhon’s Seminary: SOUTH CANAAN, PA (August 31, 2015) – The Chamber Choir of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, a professional vocal ensemble under the auspices of America’s oldest Orthodox monastery, will give a concert in New York City on November 12 at the Roman Catholic church of St. John Nepomucene at 66th and…
Continue reading »Lighting in Orthodox Churches: Liturgical Principles and Practical Ideas
What are we aiming to achieve when we choose lighting for an Orthodox church? We need a certain amount of light to see, but lighting also creates an ambience, helps to create an inner state. So what ambience are we seeking to create in our churches? These and other questions face parishes and monasteries when…
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