Byzantine Liturgical Music
Overview
The study of Byzantine liturgical music in worship is detailed and complex. Current Orthodox liturgical practices have developed over time and were influenced by a variety of factors and circumstances. The unit is designed to provide students the initial tools needed for reading the notation of the sacred music of Byzantium and understanding basic aspects of the Byzantine liturgical tradition. In so doing, it also hopes to introduce students to the rich theological tradition found in Orthodox hymnography.
Undergraduate Units
L5121A Introduction to Ecclesiastical Music
The course unit establishes a foundation for reading the notation of Ecclesiastical Music, within the context of Orthodox liturgical services, books, and hymns. It explores the key liturgical terminology, liturgical books and types of hymns within the context of different ecclesiastical traditions. It teaches students the foundational skills for reading musical notation, seeks to develop their skills for choral participation in the liturgical services of the Church.
L5122A Introducing Byzantine Musical Modes
The course unit introduces students to the concept of Byzantine Musical Modes, as practised within the Eastern Orthodox liturgical tradition. It serves as a foundational unit for students to learn and perform the basic musical elements of the eight-modal system known as the Octoechos, within the context of the liturgical cycle of the Orthodox Church.
L5123A Byzantine Diatonic Modes
This course unit offers a progression from the Eirmologic (brief) style to the Sticheraric (medium) style of melodies, within the specific context of the Diatonic Modes of Byzantine sacred music. It serves as an intermediate unit for students to learn and perform the musical elements of the Eirmologic style and the Sticheraric style of the Byzantine Diatonic Modes, within the context of the liturgical cycle of the Orthodox Church.
L5124A Byzantine Enharmonic and Chromatic Modes
This course unit offers a progression from the Eirmologic (brief) style to the Sticheraric (medium) style of melodies, within the specific context of the Enharmonic and Chromatic modes of Byzantine sacred music. It serves as an intermediate unit for students to learn and perform the musical elements of the Eirmologic style and the Sticheraric style of the Byzantine Enharmonic and Chromatic modes, within the context of the liturgical cycle of the Orthodox Church.
L5125A Byzantine Vespers Service
This course unit introduces students to the Byzantine Vespers Service, as celebrated within the Eastern Orthodox liturgical tradition. It offers a foundation for preparing, coordinating and chanting the various liturgical and musical elements for the celebration of Vespers in the Orthodox Church today.
L5126A Byzantine Matins Service
The course unit introduces students to the Byzantine Matins Service, as celebrated within the Eastern Orthodox liturgical tradition. It offers a foundation for preparing, coordinating and chanting the various liturgical and musical elements for the celebration of Matins in the Orthodox Church today.
L5127A Divine Liturgy
The course unit introduces students to the Divine Liturgy. It offers a foundation for preparing, coordinating and chanting the various liturgical and musical elements for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Church today.
L5128A Advanced Melodies
The course unit introduces students to melodies, such as those found in selected liturgical feasts and Holy Week, as celebrated within the liturgical traditions. It builds on all the skills acquired from all the previous liturgical music units, inviting students to apply these skills to the more complex melodies used during liturgical feasts and Holy Week.