Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

The 5th Choral Music Conference will be held at the Holy Protection Church (Cabramatta) and the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (Strathfield) from Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th July, 2008. The conference coincides with the 25th Anniversary of the restoration of Saint Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow. This year the choir from Saint Daniel’s Monastery will be in Australia at the time of the conference and will be in attendance at divine services.

Holy Triniy Cathedral – Saint Daniel’s Monastery, Moscow

The objective of this conference, sponsored by the Liturgical Music Commission of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and the Australia and New Zealand Diocesan Sacred Music Committee, is to bring together singers and conductors and together to explore the wealth and majesty of Russian liturgical music through lectures, hands-on workshops, rehearsals and divine services.

The conference will examine historical trends; explore the contributions of key figures in Russian sacred music; study, rehearse and perform a wide range of sacred chant and composed music; address questions of performance practice, musicianship, conducting and vocal technique, and the various practical issues facing today’s directors and choristers. The conferences will include two festive pontifical All-Night Vigils and Divine Liturgies sung by the participants and the Choir of Saint Daniel’s Monastery. His Eminence Metropolitan Hillarion will preside over the divine services together with clergy from Saint Daniel’s Monastery of Moscow.

Further, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, get to know like-minded people and expand their liturgical repertoire.

Church musicians from all over the world attend these conferences, which have been held in Toronto, New York, Montreal, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Sydney, Melbourne and in other major cities over the years.

Choir Conference Registration Form:

• Download it here: Registration Form

Choir Conference Music Downloads:

• Download it here: Sheet Music

Conference Schedule:

WEDNESDAY 2 JULY – SAINTS PETER AND PAUL DIOCESAN CATHEDRAL, STRATHFIELD

• 6:00pm – 9:00pm
• Registration, Official welcome, rehearsal

THURSDAY 3 JULY – SAINTS PETER AND PAUL CATHEDRAL, STRATHFIELD

• 9:00am – 9:00pm
• Lecture Hierodecon Andrei (Saint Daniel’s Monastery Moscow) Topic: Stepan Smolensky.
• 10:30am: Moleben and first service of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion in Australia since becoming the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
• Lunch, Rehearsals, Workshops (Vocal Technique, Podobny, Liturgical Music on the Internet)
• Meeting of the Diocesan Music Committee
• Dinner followed by Rehearsal.

FRIDAY 4 JULY – HOLY PROTECTION CHURCH, CABRAMATTA

• 9:00am – 9:00pm
• Rehearsals/Workshops. Morning Tea; Lecture, Georgy Safonov (Choir Director, Saint Daniel’s Monastery, Moscow) Topic: Singing Traditions at Saint Daniel’s Monastery.
• Lunch. Workshops (Conducting Tips, the 8 tones, kliros ustav)
• Break- Dinner.
• All-Night Vigil (Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco) sung by the conference participants.

SATURDAY 5 JULY – HOLY PROTECTION CHURCH, CABRAMATTA

• 9:00am – 9:00pm
• Divine Liturgy sung by the Festal Choir of St Daniel’s Monastery
• Early lunch. Rehearsal
• Meeting of the Diocesan Music Committee
• Dinner.
• All-Night Vigil sung by the conference participants.

SUNDAY 6 JULY – SAINTS PETER AND PAUL DIOCESAN CATHEDRAL, STRATHFIELD

• 9:00am – Divine Liturgy sung by the conference participants in the presence of the Holy Relics of Royal New Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and her faithful nun Barbara
• Banquet – held in the Sydney CBD
• 15:00pm – Concert performed by the Festal Choir of Saint Daniel’s Monastery, performed at Saint James Church, 173 King St, Sydney CBD.

Choir of Saint Daniel’s Monastery

At the conclusion of the Choral Conference the Delegation and choir will visit the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria:

MONDAY 7 JULY – Saint John the Forerunner Church (Canberra)

• 9:30am – Divine Liturgy and Parish Feast Day with His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion presiding at the service sung by the Festal Choir of Saint Daniel’s Monastery.

WEDNESDAY 8 JULY – Church of Our Lady’s Dormition (Dandenong)

• 5:00pm – Akathist to the Mother of God sung by the Festal Choir of Saint Daniel’s Monastery.

THURSDAY 10 JULY – Concert in St Kilda

• 8:00pm – Concert performed by the Festal Choir of Saint Daniel’s Monastery at All-Saints Anglican Church, corner Dandenong Rd and Chapel Street East St Kilda

FRIDAY 11 JULY – Joy of All Who Sorrow Church (Geelong)

• 5:00pm All-night Vigil – sung by the Festal Choir of St Daniel’s Monastery

SATURDAY 12 JULY – Cathedral of the Protection (Brunswick)

• 9:30am Divine Liturgy – sung by the Festal Choir of Saint Daniel’s Monastery
• Banquet at the conclusion of the Liturgy (bookings essential – please phone the head sister of the parish on (03) 9802 0357.

Georgy Safonov (Choir Director, Saint Daniel’s Monastery, Moscow) with His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus