Young Aspiring Chanters Conference to Gather in Dallas

DALLAS, TX — The Chant Stand will hold its second annual Young Aspiring Chanters (YAC) Conference Oct. 23–25 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, following the inaugural gathering held in Boca Raton, Florida, in March.

The conference is open to Orthodox Christians ages 18–35 from all jurisdictions and regardless of prior experience. Over three days, participants will receive instruction in Byzantine chant while taking part in worship and fellowship. Protopsaltes Samuel Herron, Joshua Boyd, and Peter Elgohary will lead the instruction.

More than 40 young men and women from across the country attended the inaugural conference, including many who had never chanted before. According to The Chant Stand, several participants subsequently returned to their home parishes and began taking part in chanting at the analogion. “We’re finding that young Orthodox Christians want to take part in this tradition, and to do it alongside others who share that desire,” said Sam Atalis, co-founder of The Chant Stand.

The weekend will include a Saturday evening glendi, or festive gathering, organized by The Chant Stand and the Holy Trinity Young Adult League, with dinner and dancing for conference participants and Orthodox young adults from the wider community. The conference will conclude Sunday with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metr. Constantine of Denver and chanted entirely by conference participants.

Registration costs $200 and closes October 18, with glendi tickets available as an add-on. YAC also serves as an entry point to further study through programs such as the Trisagion School of Byzantine Music. The Chant Stand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Sam Atalis and Andreas Stamatakis of St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the inaugural Northwest Orthodox Choir Directors Conference was held in Spokane.