Summer 2009 - Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church

F RST MODE
THE EASTERN FEDERATION OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH MUSICIANS NEWSLETTER  SUMMER 2009
Dear Clergy of the Metropolis of New Jersey,
You have been receiving this complimentary First Mode newsletter from the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox
Church Musicians (EFGOCM) because you are the parish priest. If your parish is a steward of EFGOCM and has
paid the $100.00 dues we thank you for supporting our efforts. This means that all of your choir members and psalti
are receiving their own copies of this newsletter. If your parish is not a paid steward then only you are receiving this
newsletter as a courtesy. This has been our way of keeping you informed of our activities. It is up to you to keep your
choir and psalti informed. Being a member entitles each and every choir member and psalti a newsletter and ability to
participate in all our activities. When your parish receives a notice from our treasurer, Paul Mavromihalis, please accept this invitation to join and be a part of our efforts to improve the spiritual and musical life of our church through
the choir members, directors, organists, psalti, clergy and the Greek Orthodox faithful.
Respectfully,
Kathryn Athanasoulas, President of EFGOCM
PRESIDENT’S NOTE
rehearse.
Application for nominations for the Athenagoras I Medal
due by September 25.
Dear Friends,
Selection of Music and Conductor for 2011, due SepI hope you all had a wonderful ecclesiastical year and are gettember
25.
ting geared up for the next year. This is the big issue of the
Guidelines
for the Anna G. Gallos Scholarship
First Mode and I would like to point out some important
things. Please look at the registration packet for the conferApplication for the Anna G. Gallos Scholarship for Unence carefully as there have been some changes necessary to dergaduate/Graduate Students.
accommodate the St. Luke festivities. Our conductor, Renee
Application for the Anna G. Gallos Scholarship for ProRoot, has conveniently provided a list of music that she
fessional workshops./CMI
would like you to rehearse before attending the conference.
Application for the Kenneth Ray Mitchum Scholarship.
Do plan to come to the conference. I look forward to seeing
Years of Service Awards – Send to Nick Kyrus by Oct. 1.
you there.
Our New Website
Thank you to those who responded to our request for perCongratulations and thanks to Nick Kyrus our webmaster for mission to send you the First Mode electronically. We will
continue to ask more of you for permission. We plan to exputting together a beautiful website in conjunction with the
National Forum. Please take the time to visit and make any periment sending out only the Winter issue of the First
comments or suggestions. You will find it very user friendly Mode.
and full of useful information. You will also find the forms
Tri-folded Brochure
that are enclosed in this issue of the First Mode. As we transition more into electronically communicating information to Also on the website is our new tri-folded brochure explaining
our goals and activities. You may now download and print
you, we will let you know of any changes. http://
out as many as you need for any Federation function. We
newjersey.churchmusic.goarch.org/
first introduced this brochure at the Metropolis Clergy/Laity
on May 4, 2009 and it was very well received.
Here are the flyers that are included in this issue:
Registration packet for our conference in Broomall,
Oct. 15-18, 2009.
Conductor’s article and list of conference music to
Conference Bid for 2011
It is time to consider putting in bids for our 2011 conference.
Thankfully, we are all set with Newport News hosting our
2010 conference with Dr. James
Maniatis of Denver conduct
ing the Steven Cardiasmenos Liturgy. Please check with your parish before the conference if they
would like to be our host. A committee from the Board is in the
process of updating our Conference Guidelines. These Guidelines should make it easier for the
host parish to understand what to
do.
Church Music Institute
The New Jersey District held a
very successful CMI with Chrissellene Petropoulos and Marina
Alexander doing a combined vocal master class and conducting
class. We are looking for a CMI
that the southern districts would
like to host. Tell your district supervisors of any suggestions you
might have.
Annual President’s Meeting
The National Forum Council of Presidents meeting took
place May 14-16 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Chairman Vicki
Pappas conducted a very interesting and productive meeting.
We shared many ideas and concerns with this lively group. It
was a treat to tour the beautiful new church, Holy Trinity.
National Forum Annual Meeting
The annual National Forum Meeting will be held in Detroit,
July 8-12. Look for the report in our next issue. Your Coor-
President’s Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana
May 14-16, 2009
Row 1 left to right:
Anna Dounelis, Vicki Pappas, Father Anastasios Gounaris,
Kathryn Athanasoulas, Lois Papademos,
Row 2:
Denise Karras, Liz Levy, Margaret Sarafoglu, Irene Georgantas,
Heidi Mason
dinating Committee will be representing our Federation:
Hope Demitry, Maria Keritsis, Kay Kehayas, Nick Kyrus and
your president.
Youth Initiatives
Our Youth Initiative Chairman,
Sondra Awad will be attending the
National Forum’s Youth Institute at
Holy Cross, July 28-Aug. 1. We look
forward to her report of this most
important event in our next issue of
the First Mode. In the meantime
please try to involve the youth in
choirs as much as possible in your
parish.
Thank you for all that you do in your
choirs, churches and Federation
whose goal is to glorify our Lord and
Savior.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Carmel, Indiana
-Kathryn
EFGOCM WEBSITE
The website for the EFGOCM is up and running!
http://newjersey.churchmusic.goarch.org/
Just connect to the address above for the latest news and information about your choir federation, including the
annual conference, workshops and area rehearsals. There are many links to the various aspects of our federation,
as well as other interesting sites for Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.
Remember, it's a work in progress. Go to the "Contacts" tab for suggestions or corrections.
2008–2010
EFGOCM BOARD
Standing Committees
His Eminence
Metropolitan Evangelos
Administration
Kay Kehayas
950 Hoover Drive
N. Brunswick, NJ 08902
732-297-2631
kkehayas@rocketmail.com
President
Kathryn Athanasoulas
114 Winslow Place
Garwood, NJ 07027
(908) 232-7695
kathanasoulas@hotmail.com
Supervisors
Vice President
District I (MD)
Fotini Nichols
8507 Reservoir Road
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 792-7332
fnichols1@verizon.net
Secretary
District II (VA)
Renee Root
4803 Hazelwood Rd.
Hampton, VA 23666
(757) 224-3937
reneeroot@cox.net
Treasurer
District III (NJ)
Marie Devino
2050 Florence Ave.
Hazlet, NJ 07748
(732) 264-0718
mdevino@att.com
E. Hope Demitry
95 Beechwood Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08618
(609) 695-4033
EHopeD@verizon.net
Patricia Sotos
3915 Wythe Ave.
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 358-3963
Prspota@aol.com
Paul Mavromihalis
11371-2 Iager Blvd
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 880-6245
paul.p.mavromihalis@lmco.com
Past President/Advisor
District IV (PA)
Virginia Botsis
129 Sutton Road
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-642-4099
vabotsis@gmail.com
Communications
Awards/Archives/Webpage
Nicholas Kyrus
5320 Echols Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22311
(703) 845-9256
nbkyrus@comcast.net
Scholarship
Drucie Papafil
9612 Grove Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23503
(757) 489-4313
papafida@evms.edu
Youth Initiatives
Sondra Awad
1503 Libbie Ave.
Richmond, VA 23226
(804) 282-5302
awads@wjcc.k12.va.us
Subcommittees
Data base
Maria Keritsis
9030 Kings Crown Rd.
Richmond, VA 23236
(804) 745-8606
Mfk9@comcast.net
Susan Karcanes
65 Fairmount Ave.
Clifton, NJ 07011
(201) 747-5744
susank622@verizon.net
Spiritual Advisor
Katherine Birnbaum
6036 Buttercup Ct.
Alexandria, VA 22310
(703) 778-8341
katherinebirnbaum@gmail.com
Rev. Nicholas Bacalis
Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
30 Malvern Ave.
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 355-3687
First Mode
2009-10 EFGOCM STEWARDSHIP
Once again the new ecclesiastic year is approaching and Eastern Federation annual dues for 2009-2010 are now due. Choirs
who are current with their dues are considered active; and have the privilege of voting, participating in the Federation’s annual conference, receiving awards, and using Federation resources. Also your choir members will receive all mailings and the
First Mode newsletter, and are eligible for Federation awards. Please forward a check in the amount of $100 to:
EFGOCM
c/o Paul Mavromihalis, Treasurer
11371-2 Iager Blvd
Fulton, MD 20759
Thank You For Your 2008-09 EFGOCM Stewardship (as of 07/01/09)
District I (Maryland)
Annapolis MD, Ss. Constantine & Helen
Baltimore MD, Annunciation Cathedral
Bethesda MD, St. George
Falls Church VA, St. Katherine
District II (Virginia)
Newport News VA, Ss. Constantine & Helen
Norfolk VA, Annunciation
Richmond VA, Ss. Constantine & Helen
Winchester VA, Dormition of the Virgin Mary
District III (New Jersey)
Asbury Park / Ocean NJ, St. George
Cherry Hill NJ, St. Thomas
Clifton NJ, St. George
Fairview NJ, Ascension
Holmdel NJ, Kimisis Tis Theotokou
Piscataway/New Brunswick NJ, St. George
Trenton/Hamilton NJ, St. George
Westfield NJ, Holy Trinity
Wyckoff NJ, St. Nicholas
Staten Island NY, Holy Trinity - St. Nicholas
District IV (Philadelphia)
Broomall PA, St. Luke
Elkins Park PA, Annunciation
Media PA, St. George
Jeffersonville PA, Ss. Sophia
Wilmington DE, Holy Trinity
Individual
Peter & Barbara Lewnes
DISTRICT REPORTS
Alvin Garrison’s beautiful home. The other was our Greek
Festival Concert on May 31st, entitled ―Choir’s Choice‖, a
program of our favorite pieces selected by the choir. It is
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation – Baltimore
especially gratifying to see the concert attendance grow each
Our Cathedral choir has completed another prayerful and
year, and to receive rave reviews to boot! And the Greek Fesuplifting ecclesiastical year with Archimandrite Dean Mortival Concert was very special this year because it was the first
alis, director Mrs. Georgia Tangires and organist Fotini Nich- time our Youth Choir has sung with us for this venue. They
ols. The choir is blessed in having dedicated and exceptional joined us in singing the Cardiasmenos Praise the Lord.
singers who beautifully and respectfully love the church and
chant from the depths of their spiritual souls in praise to God Besides singing for Liturgies, including the Saturday of Lazaevery Sunday. Being blessed with not only exceptional musi- rus and the midnight Resurrection service, our Youth Choir
cal talents our choir members are also very involved in the
has been busy singing their own concerts. They presented
life of the church serving on the the parish council, Philopto- one for Mother’s Day on May 10th, and one for the reception
chos and numerous church organizations. This year our choir of the Groundbreaking Ceremony for St. Demetrios in Wilcultivated new choir members and on Sunday morning our
liamsburg on June 20th. His Eminence, Metropolitan Evanparticipation and attendance increased.
gelos, who presided, was very pleased to hear their angelic
voices.
On Choir Music Sunday, the Cathedral choir will again be
awarding two music scholarships, the Georgia Topal Tangires Alto, Alexa Garrison and choir director, Renée Root, are exScholarship and the Annunciation Cathedral Choir Scholar- cited to be attending the SFGOCM conference in Winstonship to talented young people in our community. It is so re- Salem July 24-26. Chris Kypros will be conducting his own
warding to assist them in their musical endeavors. Numerous Liturgy of Peace.
service awards will also be presented on this day.
And speaking of federation conferences: Mark your calendars
for the 2010 EFGOCM Conference in Newport News, OcIn anticipation of the conference in Broomall, Pennsylvania tober 14-17. We will be singing Steven Cardiasmenos’ Litour choir along with our organist, the conference organurgy, conducted by Dr. James Maniatis from Assumption Caist and district supervisor Fotini Nichols will host a fall work- thedral in Denver, Colorado. It is sure to be a grand time, so
shop on the liturgy that will be presented—Gallos III in
we hope to see all of you HERE!
Greek and English. We are looking forward to not only seeing you attend this conference music workshop at the cathe- Meanwhile, we are working hard on the Gallos III Liturgy for
dral but to seeing you share fellowship with all choir memthe fall conference, looking forward to fellowship with all our
bers at our conference in Broomall, Pennsylvania.
friends from our sister churches, and to raising our voices
—Fotini Nichols, District Supervisor together to sing praises to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
See you in Broomall!
—Renée Root
MARYLAND DISTRICT
VIRGINIA DISTRICT
Annunciation – Norfolk
The Annunciation choir in Norfolk, VA has revisited the
Roubanis liturgy lately and will probably use it often over the
summer months. On the last weekend in July, choir director/organist Chris Kypros will be the guest conductor for the
Southern Federation Conference in Winston-Salem,
NC. The music for the conference will be the Liturgy of
Peace.
—Chris Kypros
Saints Constantine and Helen – Richmond
The cathedral choir of Saints Constantine and Helen Orthodox Cathedral was privileged to perform at two very special
events in the last two months. The choir opened the ceremony of appreciation of Reverend Emeritus, Father Constantine Dombalis and Mrs. Dombalis on the occasion of
naming our new Hellenic Center in their honor. It was a joy
to sing several of Father's favorite hymns and recall many
memories from their 40 years of service to our Cathedral
community.
Our next performance quickly followed. In addition to the
Since the last publication of The First Mode, our Adult and cultural experience of food, costumes and dance, festival paYouth Choirs have performed several concerts. One was the trons of Sts. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Cathedral had
joint Christmas program with the Sunday School on Decem- the opportunity to also experience the spiritual focus of our
ber 21st, followed by a splendid Christmas party at Alexa and
Saints Constantine and Helen – Newport News
DISTRICT REPORTS—CONTINUED
Richmond community. Sanctuary tours culminated in a
concert by the Cathedral choir that offered examples of the
Cathedral’s music liturgy. Choir members left their booths,
ovens, food lines, and dance groups to join our guests in the
Sanctuary the opening night of the four-day festival. Our
Proistamenos, Father Nicholas Bacalis, introduced the
hymns and provided their liturgical setting. Patrons heard
both Byzantine hymns and their English counterparts for a
full sense of their beauty and meaning. Led by choir director Sondra Awad and accompanied by organist Anne Conover, the choir performance beautifully bridged the gaiety of
the festival with the piety of Orthodoxy.
- Susan Prousalis
NEW JERSEY DISTRICT
SPIRIT OF LENT CONCERT
ANNA GALLOS LITURGY
New Jersey district had our first rehearsal on Monday, May
18th at Westfield and a second rehearsal on June 8. We also
plan a September rehearsal. Kathryn, Hope, Kay and Marie
also attended the Broomall rehearsal on May 30 with Paul
Mavromihalis and Nick Kyrus conducting. A delicious breakfast and lunch were served. Thank you Ginny Botsis and
committee for hosting.
CHURCH MUSIC INSTITUTE
On Saturday, April 25th, our CMI with Chrissellene Petro
poulos, vocal master teacher and Marina Alexander, master
conductor was a great success. We had 55 participants.
Thank you Kathryn and Hope for coordinating this event and
for those of you who helped setting up and serving the food.
We can highly recommend this team.
Our Spirit of Lent Concert was held on Friday April 10th,
2009 at the St. Nicholas Church in Wyckoff. It was a wonderful and successful
concert. It was under
the direction of
Kathryn Athanasoulas and organist Hope
Demitry, We have
included our youth
from Trenton and
Westfield in our
Lenten Concerts
since 1995. This year
for the first time
youth from Wyckoff
joined us at this 19th
annual concert. The
twenty three youth
members sang a portion of the program
and were outstanding. We thank
Fr. Moulketis, Parish
Council and Philop- Attendees at CMI with Chrissellene Petropoulos and Marina Alexander , April 25, 2009 at Holy Trinity, Westfield, NJ
tochos of Wyckoff
for hosting such a blessed event.
YOUTH SINGERS WORKSHOP
HOLY CROSS CELEBRATION
Our annual Holy Cross Celebration will be held on September 20 at the Paramount Theater, Asbury Park. Once again,
Kay Kehayas will direct us in a beautiful liturgy with Hope
Demitry as the organist.
On Saturday October 24th 2009, 10:30 to 4:00 PM Holy Trinity, Westfield, will be hosting a Youth Singers Workshop
sponsored by our New Jersey District of EFGOCM. Musical
and Artistic Director, Marina Alexander will be our clinician.
We call all youth ages 9-18 to participate in a wonderful fun
filled workshop for young people who love to sing. They will
learn how to develop and produce a healthy sound, sharpen
DISTRICT REPORTS—CONTINUED
their vocal techniques and learn what a conductor is asking of
The Franklin Institute,
all singers as they sing music of our faith. They will perform
The Academy of Music,
a short concert of what was accomplished during the day.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Friends and families are invited to the concert from 3:30 to
Great restaurants, quaint neighborhoods, and more
4:00. Kathryn Athanasoulas and Hope Demitry are coordinating this first time event to encourage our youth. To see
In preparation for the Conference, we held a rehearsal for the
the flyer and application, go to our website.
Philadelphia District choir members on Saturday, May 30th:
The Gallos III Liturgy–A First Look. Paul Mavromihalis
As you can see, District 3 has been very busy and event- and Nick Kyrus directed, and Kiki Stathis was the organist.
ful. See you all in Broomall!
In addition to our area choirs, EFGOCM President Kathryn
Athanasoulas and several Board Members attended the rehearsal and luncheon.
PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT
St. Luke’s Choir ended the year on Father’s Day and will resume singing in September. On June 14th we gathered at
St. Luke, Broomall, Pennsylvania
Our Parish will host the 2009 EFGOCM Conference Octo- White Horse Village for an end of year brunch after which
we sang several hymns to entertain the guests who joined us.
ber 15th – 18th. We look forward to welcoming many of
you for a weekend of music, fellowship, good food and fun. We’ll see you in October!
—Virginia Botsis
All the information you will need is in the registration packet
mailed with this issue of First Mode. Join us as we also celebrate St. Luke’s Day that weekend.
Plan to visit historic Philadelphia before or after the Con
ference—only 30 minutes from St. Luke’s. It’s the perfect
time of year for museums, concerts, and sightseeing, and
Philadelphia offers the visitor all of these:
Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell,
The National Constitution Center,
The Philadelphia Museum of Art,
KEEP GETTING THE MODE
If you have moved, or are planning to move, don’t forget to send us your
new address.
Send it to:
Susan Karcanes
65 Fairmount Ave.
Clifton, NJ 07011
(201) 747-5744
susank622@verizon.net
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