The Summer School of Liturgical Music at Holy Trinity Seminary is accredited through the New York State Board of Regents. A non-certification track is offered to those seeking enrichment in the area of Russian Orthodox Music, who do not intend to become church readers or choir directors. The course load, full or partial, may be agreed upon in consultation with school administration. Please make all cheques payable to Holy Trinity Seminary. In that case payment should be made by parish cheque.
Instruction is given in Russian and English.
While knowledge of Russian is helpful, it is not essential for study. History of Russian Church Music A survey of Russian sacred music from the 10th through the 20th centuries. Various types of chants, early Russian polyphony, 17th century multi-voice compositions, as well as the great variety of representative 18th 20th century choral style will be discussed, including the works of such great masters as Bortniansky, Lvov, Archangelsky, Kastalsky, Chesnokov and Rachmaninov. The course will be illustrated by rare recordings representative of the rich and vast repertoire of Russian choral music. Music Theory and Musicianship Presentation of basic elements of music theory to help understand and analyze a musical composition.