The 5th Annual Iveron Choral Conference, Astoria and Valley Cottage, New York October 29-31, 2021

The Russian Church Abroad recently concluded the 5th Iveron Choral Conference, co-hosted this year by the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Astoria, NY, and the St. Sergius Russian Orthodox Church (at the Tolstoy Foundation) in Valley Cottage, NY. Concelebrating at the hierarchal Divine Liturgy which climaxed the conclusion of the Conference were their Eminences Archbishop Andronik of New York and North America, and Archbishop Sofroniy of St. Petersburg and Northern Russia.

The Choral Conference was organized by the ROCA Assistance Fund and led by Mark Kotlaroff, Choir Director of the St. Sergius Parish, and began on Friday afternoon, 29 October 2021 with a Molieben to the Iveron Mother of God. A variety of didactic lectures were given, many of which were admixed with singing to emphasize the topic of the lecture. These included topics on:

  • Podobni (special) Melodies
  • How to Read in Church
  • The Art of Conducting an Orthodox Church Choir
  • Intonation Awareness and Practice

Additionally, special lectures and practicums for the children at the conference were given. These included:

  • Theory and Practice in Church Reading
  • The Six Psalms
  • Practicum in Church Reading
  • Choir Rehearsal

Besides the musical lectures, the Conference was also blessed to hear a lecture by Archbishop Sofroniy about Church life in modern-day Russia, including the practical issues and struggles faced by parishes there.

A review of the life of Brother Jose, and the Iveron Myrrh-Streaming Icon to the Mother of God, was given by Hegumen Ignatiy (Krutkov), and another lecture was given by Priest Dmitry Dobronravov on what is occurring during the Divine Liturgy, discussing the wonderful interwoven aspects of the prayers and actions being completed by the clergy, as the choir completes its chanted hymns. 

In addition to the lectures and choir rehearsals workshops were held to improve skills.  Fr. Timothy Clader ran a workshop on “The Art of Conducting an Orthodox Church Choir”, and Nicholas Budzilovich conjunctly ran a workshop on “How to read in Church so that everyone understands”.

Saturday morning of the Conference began with an Akathist to the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, chanted in both Church Slavonic and English, and was followed by the formal greeting by Archbishop Andronik and the program organizers.

The heart of the beginning of the Conference was, of course, the choir rehearsals, which were eagerly attended by all.

Some of the wonderful music that was learned included the opening hymn of the All-Night Vigil, Psalm 103, composed by the then-Metropolitan (now-Saint) Philaret of New York, the Paul Chesnekov Katavasia (“I will open my Mouth”), and the Konstantinov Anaphora (Muscovite Melody), amongst many others. Additionally, the choir enjoyed learning the Podobni melody “What shall we call you” for the Stichera verses in Vigil to the Apostle Luke, prepared and directed by Matushka Joanna Grigoriev. 

A special treat was the children’s’ choir, which had prepared for, and participated with enthusiasm in the singing of the First and Second Antiphons of the Divine Liturgy, the Creed, and the Our Father.

Many of the children had also diligently prepared for, and completed the reading of the Hours at Divine Liturgy, as well as the Six Psalms, and were ably coached and prepared by Irina Hopersky.

Besides the prayerful singing and the wonderful Divine Services, conference attendees were also enthusiastic about greeting old friends and re-making old acquaintances, as well as making many new friends. Although there were many local conference attendees, there were some that came from as far east as Russia, from the west coast of the U.S., and from as far south as Florida. (Sadly, however, a number of people who wished to attend from Canada and Europe were unable to because of government-induced travel restrictions.)

The conference was also blessed to welcome the newly-ordained Priest Lazarus Gales of New Jersey, who con-celebrated with both hierarchs, as well as Protoprebyter Gregory Kotlaroff (Valley Cottage, NY), as well as Priest Dmitry Dobronravov (Astoria, NY), Hegumen Ignatiy (Trenton, NJ), and Deacon Gregory Axelrod.

Besides the divine services, the friendships, and all of the music, the Conference was also blessed with a panoply of wonderful Russian cuisine, ably prepared by the sisterhoods of the Astoria and Valley Cottage parishes.

At the conclusion of the Conference, and after many hugs and tears, attendees were already eagerly discussing plans for next year’s Conference, and look forward to again renewing bonds with their fellow Orthodox Christians.