“Making Melodists” Workshop Brings Together Orthodox Choir Directors

WAYNE, NJ — Fifty Orthodox church musicians gathered November 6–7 at Holy Resurrection Church for the annual “Making Melodists” Workshop, organized by the Commission on Liturgical Music of the Orthodox Church in America’s (OCA) Diocese of New York and New Jersey.

The event brought together musicians from the diocese and other Orthodox jurisdictions for two days of instruction, practical training, and fellowship. It marked the Commission’s second in-person workshop since 2019.

The workshop was led by Matushka Juliana Woodill, director of the Music Program at St. Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. She oversees music residents, conducts the monastery’s Mixed Choir and Women’s Choir, and teaches conducting, choral methods, the eight tones, and musicianship.

Friday’s program included a roundtable for 15 choir directors, focusing on conducting techniques, nonverbal communication, and ways to address common challenges in Orthodox music ministry.

Saturday’s sessions were open to all participants and covered choral warm-ups, vocal and physical preparation, teaching new music, and developing unified choral sound. Musicians also practiced techniques for improving vocal tone, sound quality, and intonation.

The workshop concluded with Great Vespers sung by the participants under Woodill’s direction, giving them an opportunity to apply the skills developed during the gathering.

Previously, the UOJ reported that St. Tikhon’s Monastery named Juliana Woodill music program director.