Orthodox Musicians Workshop Set for November in New Jersey

WAYNE, NJ — The Commission on Liturgical Music of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey will host “Making Melodists: A Workshop for Orthodox Musicians” on November 6-7 at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Wayne, New Jersey. The workshop will honor the memory of the late Fr. Dan Skvir, who served for many years as co-chairman of the Commission on Liturgical Music.

The workshop will be led by Juliana Woodill, Music Program Director at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Woodill oversees the monastery’s music residents and conducts its Mixed Choir and Women’s Choir. Her responsibilities also include teaching conducting, choral methods, the eight tones, and musicianship, and she has extensive experience training Orthodox church musicians.

The first evening, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, will be devoted to a Conductors’ Round Table. Sessions will examine gestural language used by conductors and physical exercises designed to improve conducting technique. The program will also include a forum addressing challenges encountered by those serving as leaders in Orthodox liturgical music ministry.

Saturday’s program, running from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will be open to musicians more broadly. Topics will include warm-ups for church musicians, physical and vocal technique, methods for introducing and learning new music, improving choral tone and ensemble sound, and developing stronger intonation.

The workshop will be free for all participants, with light meals provided. Registration is scheduled to open October 1, and organizers have directed interested musicians to an online registration form. Additional questions may be sent to the Commission on Liturgical Music at [email protected].

Previously, the UOJ reported that the OCA Music Department launched a new online vocal technique course.