[indianstory]

I understand that the choir inspires the congregation to repent and worship God. As the choir's unworthy leader, I am looking for a story from the Orthodox Tradition to share with the choir to rekindle their inspiration for singing. Can anyone suggest something?

In Christ,
Maria Murray

[Gulauur]

An ancient Orthodox saying, worthy of repeating: "When you sing your prayer, you pray twice."

[ddxbovMQ]

Have you read the article by Metropolitan Hilarion on music? That might be inspiring for you- and worthy of discussion for all of us.
It is entitled "Music and Faith in MY Life and Vision"
Find it here: http://publicaffairs.cua.edu/release...eyevSpeech.cfm
In Christ,
Sister Susan Marie

[c6vkuNRg]

In the Litany of Fervent Supplication, sung at every Divine Liturgy and other services, is the petition:

Again we pray for those who bring offerings and do good deeds in this holy and venerable House, for those who serve and those who sing, and for the people here present who await from You great and abundant mercies.

There are many forms of service to the church available to laymen. Baking prosphora, cleaning and maintenance of church paraphernalia, buildings and grounds, teaching at Sunday school, even, as I mentioned in another thread, simply attending to the candlestands during services, are just a few. All are worthy forms of service.

My view on singing in church: Of all forms of lay service, the use of one's voice, produced within one's very being, whether reading or singing/chanting, in glorifying God, counts as a particularly personal and wonderful offering, at the same time intimate and corporate - a giving of oneself for the benefit of many. I do not sing myself (good ear, but not a good voice), but I have long greatly admired the gift of a good voice used in service to the Church. If nothing else, our services are defined by being sung or chanted in their entirety. I've observed many a stranger entering an Orthodox church during a service, and the two elements which "blow them away" are the physical beauty of the church, with its lamps, icons etc, and the singing.

A good choirmaster/choirmistress knows whether the singers are contributing their talents towards the glory of God, and not for their own self-aggrandisement, and can deal with it accordingly. The same goes for readers, tonsured or otherwise.

[Elisabetxxx]

I have just read Met. Hilarion's article linked to above. While I cannot comment on his analysis of the works of the classical and modern composers he cites, as I am rather ignorant on the finer points of these styles of music, I am pleased to see his writing of:

The artist, composer, writer and representative of any creative profession, can, through his artistry, glorify the Creator. If creativity is dedicated to God, if the creative person puts his efforts into serving people, if he preaches lofty spiritual ideals, then his activity may aid his own salvation and that of thousands around him. If, however, the aim of creativity is to assert one’s own ego, if the creative process is governed by egotistical or mercenary intentions, if the artist, through his art, propagates anti-spiritual, anti-God or anti-human values, then his work may be destructive for both himself and for those about him.

[DebtDetox]

I was also very impressed with the section on Arvo Part and the musical compositions he has written on Orthodox texts, mostly for the choir, as he stated. As Great Lent approaches it might be worthwhile for Church choirs, especially any desiring fresh inspiration, to listen to his piece "Kanon Pokajanen" (The Canon of Repentance), based on some verses of St Andrew of Crete.
Apparently, as well, the late Archimandrite Sophrony had a strong impact on the composer. That must have influenced the other work cited, "Silouan's Song."

In Christ,
Sr. Susan Marie

[mv37afnr]

The following link has three awesome stories about holy chanters:
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010...theotokos.html

I can't believe no-one mentioned earlier St John Koukouzelis! Someone reminded me of him yesterday, and that's why I sought out the link.

[Knillagrarp]

I've always enjoyed the story of St. Romanos (and of course his music). It's one of the three stories at the link in the post above.