21st Annual
Russian Orthodox
Church Musicians' Conference
Albany · October 8-12, 2008
The 21-st Annual ROCM Conference will be held from October 8-12, 2008, at the Holiday Inn - Wolf Rd
hotel in Albany, New York State's capital city, located near the central part of the city, adjacent to the airport, and within minutes of the church. The spectacular fall foliage is at its peak this time of year.
This year's conference, entitled "Your Church Choir (or Kliros), in Theory and Practice", is designed to
provide an opportunity for the Orthodox Church musician
(singer/conductor/reader) to further their rehearsal and ensemble skills and to
address practical issues and their possible solutions through a "hands-on"
approach.
Alternating rehearsals of large and
small ensembles will provide a unique opportunity for participants to work
through the musical and liturgical challenges that occur in this
genre.
Attention will be given to the
development of such musical skills as choral blending, sonorities, intonation,
phrasing and voice building, and their application to Orthodox liturgical
practice.
The objective of these annual conferences, sponsored by the Liturgical Music Commission of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) 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 anddivine
services.
The conferences 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 chanters.
The conferences culminate in the festive pontifical All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy sung by the participants.
Further, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, get
to know like-minded people and expand their liturgical repertoire.
The conference will feature lecturers, coaches and conductors from the United States and Europe, and, as has been the case in previous years, choir directors, singers, and those with an interest in Russian sacred choral music from all Orthodox Local Churches and jurisdictions are welcome to attend and participate.
The Nativity of the Mother of God Russian Orthodox Church is located at:
617 Sand Creek Rd, Colonie, NY 12205.
Conference presentations and discussions will be conducted primarily in English with Russian translation
as required.
The church services will be chanted by antiphonal choirs in both Church
Slavonic and English.
Transliterated music will be available.
The price of the conference is (in US $):
Full Registration Rates (Wednesday evening through Sunday):
1. Single occupancy (Lodging, meals and all activities): $695
2. Double occupancy (Lodging, meals and all activities): $495
3. Quad occupancy (Student Rate) (Lodging, meals and all activities): $365
Week-End Rates (Begins Friday after 5PM):
1. Single occupancy (Lodging, meals and all activities): $345
2. Double occupancy (Lodging, meals and all activities): $245
3. Quad occupancy (Student Rate) (Lodging, meals and all activities): $175
Commuter rates:
1. No Lodging, Full Registration (No lodging; include meals and all activities): $300
2. No Lodging, Week-End Rate, Begins Friday After 5PM (No lodging; include meals and all activities): $150
The price of the conference also includes:
- transportation to/from Albany International Airport (as required)
- transportation to/from hotel/church services
- all meals,
with the exception of dinner on Friday. Conference participants will be free to
sample local cuisine.
A final banquet lunch will be held at the Church
following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.
- daily
rehearsals, seminars on various musical topics, informative lectures by noted
experts in the field of
Russian Orthodox church music (click on "Schedule" for
more information).
- all conference
materials, including a bound choir music book
containing all the music sung during Vigil and
Liturgy by the combined
choirs.
All
registrations must be prepaid. Cancellations must be received by September 15,
2008.
Travel Information:
The hotel is conveniently located less than 1 mile from Albany International Airport and provides a free 24-hour airport shuttle. The church is located approximately 2 miles from the hotel as well as 2 miles from the airport. Add two hours
to get through airport security.
Please schedule your return flights on Sunday
as late as possible so as not to miss the banquet.
Copyright (c) 2008 Liturgical Music Commission of the Synod of Bishops, ROCOR. All rights reserved.