Global Orthodox Church Musicians Gather in Finland

“The participants of the 2017 ISOCM Conference represent a variety of Orthodox Churches from around the world, along with Roman Catholic, Byzantine Catholic and Lutheran traditions.”

ISOCM – 12/6/17

Joensuu, Finland – Over 60 musicians, singers, researchers, composers, directors, chanters and musicologists from 17 countries joined members of The International Society for Orthodox Church Music (ISOCM) for the 7th Conference on Orthodox Music, 6-11 June, 2017 here. Thirty-three presentations were offered, exploring the conference theme of “Liturgy and Music” through a variety of topics and musical traditions.

“This conference has provided, perhaps, some of the richest and most diverse communications yet,” said Father Ivan Moody, board chairman of the ISOCM. “The broad theme of ‘Liturgy and Music’ providing the spark for reflections on many different aspects of the way these two concepts interact.”

The diverse backgrounds and experiences of the participants was reflected in the presentations which included:
Vocal and melody types in the typikon of Saint Sabbas
Liturgical musical experiences of Albanians in Italy
Romanian chant variations for feasts of the Mother of God
Translation of Byzantine Art Values in Russia and Korea
Reflections on Finnish liturgical and para-liturgical music

Presentations also included reflections on the work of select composers: Alexander Raskatov of Russia, Alexsander Knaifel of Russia, Egon Wellesz of Austria-UK, and the Archpriest Sergei Glagolev of America.

“This was my third time at an ISOCM event, and it has been fantastic to learn about the range of choral variety and areas of study on different national traditions,” said Margaret Haig, a choir director in London, U.K. “The services at which we sang collectively and the concert added so much to the overall experience for me.”

“We have been blessed by an extraordinary concert of early Russian chant and polyphony by the Klyuch razumeniya ensemble, as well as workshops on the singing of Znamenny chant,” Father Ivan said, referring to the public concert sponsored by the Society, and presented in Joensuu by Klyuch razumeniya, a female ensemble from St Petersburg, Russia specializing in the singing of ancient Russian chants.

“We have enjoyed conversation and social time in which the themes arising during the course of the Conference have been discussed in a more leisurely way, contacts made and projects planned,” Father Ivan noted, adding, “The perfect way to begin the second decade of the ISOCM’s existence.”

The proceedings from the conference will be published and available for purchase here: http://www.isocm.com/conference-proceedings along with other publications from the Society.

Plans for regional symposia and workshops are being finalized for 2018, while the next biennial ISOCM conference is scheduled for June 2019 in Joensuu, Finland.

Learn more about the ISOCM and become a member on their website here: http://www.isocm.com/about-the-isocm

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