Some Thoughts from MEFGOX President Ted Niforos: On Sunday, October 6, 2013, National Church Music Sunday, we celebrated our church musicians who contribute so much to our worship. From the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, we received the beautiful poster honoring St. Cosmas, the Melodist. Among other hymns, he composed the canons of Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday and the first canon of the Nativity. St. Cosmas’ works speak to a special Church service. We know many of you serve in Philoptochos, on parish councils, on festivals, in GOYA and other areas. Yet, we are experiencing a decline in many choir memberships, among chanters and organists. A high percentage of our choirs and chanters are seniors with long years of climbing stairs or standing on the solea. We have a good number of young people of middle and high school ages in our choirs, but few return once they have left for college or careers. Many of our young people have musical experience, either through singing in high school programs or having learned instruments. We urge our parishioners to consider another avenue of service, as a church musician. Being a choir member or a youth music director is another form of stewardship. If you don’t have singing experience, this is not an obstacle. Many of our current musicians learned “on the job.” Even for aspiring chanters, the National Forum and other church organizations can provide training materials. With the beauty of our Byzantine heritage, the spiritual rewards of leading a congregation in the musical aspects of our worship are many. Ted Niforos President, Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 22:49:23 +0000
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