Iveron Choral Conference Encourages and Edifies All Participants

On the sixth year of the Iveron Choral Conference, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the appearance of the miraculous Montreal Icon of the Mother of God (1982) and the 25th anniversary of the martyric death of the Montreal Myrrh-Streaming Icon’s guardian, Brother Joseph Muñoz Cortés (+1997).

The conference opened on Friday, Oct 28th with a molieben for the start of a good deed. This was followed by a workshop with veteran choir director Mark Kotlaroff about Orthodox choir singing techniques during which he led a  discussion on the technical side of singing in church. Afterwards Matushka Joanna Grigoriev conducted an equally useful workshop  on voicing – how to divide the various parts in Orthodox choral music among what singers are present in real-life parish situations – a very useful skill for anyone leading a parish choir.  Fr. Timothy Clader then gave a beautiful talk with a little technical practice about litanies, a much-needed reminder to choir members about what a beautiful and important part of the service this is.

 Next on the schedule was Elena Hopersky’s enlightening presentation on Dimitry Bortniansky’s crucial influence on Russian church music. Afterwards the participants had their first choir rehearsal, then shared an evening meal together.

Saturday Oct 29th began with an akathist to the Iveron Icon and then a talk by Hegumen Ignatiy about the church services. Strengthened by the prayers, edified by Hegumen Ignatiy’s sermon, and encouraged by the warm greeting of the Conference organizers, the participants then dived into serious choir rehearsals for all ages and church reading practice for young participants.

In the afternoon there was one more very practical workshop on voicing and giving tones with Matushka Joanna. 

Finally, before Vigil, Nun Catherine of Novi Stjenik Monastery (Serbia) gave a presentation on Serbian church music with a brief overview of Serbian history to give some background in the sources of the Serbian faith and culture.

By the evening everyone was quite worn out from such a demanding schedule but that just made the vigil service even more grace-filled, as we all felt as if our energy and strength were coming from God and Our Lady whose memory we were celebrating, not from our own power. The service, in spite of our relatively short time to prepare, was truly beautiful and prayerful.

Some of the special moments were the singing of the 103rd Psalm to an arrangement by St. Philaret of New York, a litany composed by Archbishop Andronik for two voices, and antiphonal singing with the children’s choir of a melody of the Hymn to the Theotokos from Lesna Convent which had never been heard in the United States and had been arranged into four parts for this particular occasion. We were particularly proud of the children, who got braver with each refrain of “More Honorable than the Cherubim…”.The evening ended with a festive meal prepared by a small and very self-sacrificial team of volunteers, toasts, and warmest fellowship in which old friendships were renewed and new ones forged.

The crowning event of the Conference was of course the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy served by Archbishops Andronik and Sophrony. The now well-rested choir enjoyed singing and praying together; the service flew by and it was not without regret that we concluded the last prayers. Archbishop Andronik gave a sermon detailing the history of the original Iveron Icon and then finished with a brief overview of the Montreal Icon, which is so dear to us all.

After another beautiful meal prepared by our sisters in Christ there was more fellowship, singing and talking until slowly we all started making our goodbyes and thanking our gracious hosts, the members of the Holy Assumption parish.

On Monday, a small group of believers led by Archbishop Andronik made a pilgrimage out to Jordanville to serve a panikhida for Brother Joseph of blessed memory and to venerate at St Philaret of New York’s grave.

An impromptu lunch hosted by Matuska Joanna at the Grigoriev home was the last treat which we all enjoyed together, feeling full of grace and spiritual refreshment after such a lovely weekend and one more beautiful day dedicated to prayer and remembrance of the righteous who have gone before us.

To all of the participants of this year’s Choir Conference, from Archbishop Andronik and Arcbishop Sophrony, all the clergymen, lay organizers and supporters, and all of the participants from ages one to eighty, we offer a final toast and congratulations! Mnogaya Lieta i Bogu nashemu slava!