Byzantine Music School Begins on West Coast

With the blessings and encouragements of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, the Byzantine Music School under the direction of Rev. Father Dimosthenis Paraskevaidis is currently offering its first full year of intensive instruction in Byzantine Chant. The program is being held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, OR where Father Dimosthenis serves as the Assistant Priest. The Byzantine Music School began in the spring of 2011 with an abbreviated introductory course with an enrollment of 12 students. The current program began in October 2011 and continues through May 2012 and has an enrollment of 18 students from the Cathedral and the surrounding parishes.

Students meet on a weekly basis for instruction and are also provided extensive online resources which include audio files to assist them in their weekly practice. Following class, some students remain at the Cathedral to participate in Great Vespers while others return to their home parishes and share their chanting skills within their own communities. During their course of study, students are required to participate in Orthros, Vespers and other services at the Analogion of their respective parishes to further enhance their skills and confidence. The eight-month class includes instruction in reading Greek, learning Byzantine notation, the modes, study of the Typikon, and the proper behavior and appearance of Chanters during the services.

Father Dimosthenis has been serving as the Assistant Priest at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR since November 2009. Prior to coming to the United States, he was serving at the Cathedral of the Holy Forerunner in Kavala, Greece. Father Dimosthenis holds a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Theology from the University of Thessaloniki, as well as a degree in Byzantine Chant.

Plans for expansion of this program are currently in progress, with regional workshops being developed which will be offered throughout the Metropolis of San Francisco, as well as a one-week intensive program of Byzantine Music instruction to be held at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center.

For more information on the Byzantine Music School, please visit their website: www.byzantinemusicschool.com or contact Father Dimosthenis at 503-234-0468.