From 2000-2005
In 2001, in order to facilitate the travels of the chantors from Eastern Ohio, northern Western PA, and Northern West VA, the weekly meetings of the "School" and the Choir relocated to the Dormition of the Theotokos in Aliquippa, PA. There, new friendships were kindled with older and young aspiring chantors and musicophiles.
Perhaps the most notable person in these years in the evolution of the choir in terms of "advocating" for it across the regional parishes is the Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Palis, the then oikonomos of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Aliquippa. Tireless, enthusiastic, and always collaborative.
Among the chantors and musicophiles who joined the choir in this period were (in no particular order):
John Kellis, Emmanuel Vougias, George Pantelidakis, and Nicholas Pontikos.
A young generation also came to learn Byzantine chant in addition to joining the choir:
Konstantine Fekos, Theodosios Palis, Panagiota Palis, Evangelia Palis, Emmanuel Maginas, and Juliana Carellas. It is worth noting that today, Theodosios Palis is an ordained priest in the Metropolis, Emmanuel Maginas is a graduate of the M.Div. program at the Theological Seminary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and Evangelia Palis is one of the first women to be awarded a Certificate in the formal study program of Byzantine Music and Chant from the same Theological Seminary. Konstantine Fekos is among the most accomplished young chantor in the traditional yphos of Constantinople, and of his generation, and promises much for the future of Byzantine chant in America (serving as an assistant chantor at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh since 2018).
The choir also grew in its "multiculturalism". We were blessed, and continue to be blessed, to have among us Dr. Elie Azar, a very accomplished chantor of the Arabic style. Dr. Azar participated in almost all the lectures-concerts of the period, interpreting Byzantine chant in perfect Arabic reminiscent of his renowned teachers in Syria. Dr. Azar continues to participate as a valued member of the choir in solo and choral interpretation.
In 2000, the Choir recorded its first CD with hymns of the Pentecost period.
LECTURES-CONCERTS:
In 2000, the Choir presented a lecture-concert on the hymnology of Christmas at the University of Pittsburgh.
In 2001, the Choir presented a lecture-concert on the works of the Abbess Kassiani at the University of Pittsburgh
In 2001, the Choir presented a lecture-concert in support of a presentation by Dr. Giannoukakis, invited by Notre Dame University as part of the 27th Byzantine Studies Conference.
In 2002, the Choir presented a lecture-concert during the Banquet of the 28th Annual Byzantine Studies Conference in Columbus Ohio
In 2003, the Choir was invited to support a lecture by Prof. Diane Touliatos-Miles at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
In 2004, the Choir was invited to present a lecture-concert at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. We were honored to be joined by Prof. Constantinos Lagouros, Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), Prof. Daniel Nodes (currently at Baylor University, TX), Mr. Sarantis Alexopoulos from Chicago, and Mr. Apostolos Combitsis, one of the few Protopsaltae (St. Barbara, Toms River, NJ) in the USA who represent the authentic tradition of Byzantine chant in the yphos of the Great Church of Christ.
In 2001, in order to facilitate the travels of the chantors from Eastern Ohio, northern Western PA, and Northern West VA, the weekly meetings of the "School" and the Choir relocated to the Dormition of the Theotokos in Aliquippa, PA. There, new friendships were kindled with older and young aspiring chantors and musicophiles.
Perhaps the most notable person in these years in the evolution of the choir in terms of "advocating" for it across the regional parishes is the Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Palis, the then oikonomos of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Aliquippa. Tireless, enthusiastic, and always collaborative.
Among the chantors and musicophiles who joined the choir in this period were (in no particular order):
John Kellis, Emmanuel Vougias, George Pantelidakis, and Nicholas Pontikos.
A young generation also came to learn Byzantine chant in addition to joining the choir:
Konstantine Fekos, Theodosios Palis, Panagiota Palis, Evangelia Palis, Emmanuel Maginas, and Juliana Carellas. It is worth noting that today, Theodosios Palis is an ordained priest in the Metropolis, Emmanuel Maginas is a graduate of the M.Div. program at the Theological Seminary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and Evangelia Palis is one of the first women to be awarded a Certificate in the formal study program of Byzantine Music and Chant from the same Theological Seminary. Konstantine Fekos is among the most accomplished young chantor in the traditional yphos of Constantinople, and of his generation, and promises much for the future of Byzantine chant in America (serving as an assistant chantor at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh since 2018).
The choir also grew in its "multiculturalism". We were blessed, and continue to be blessed, to have among us Dr. Elie Azar, a very accomplished chantor of the Arabic style. Dr. Azar participated in almost all the lectures-concerts of the period, interpreting Byzantine chant in perfect Arabic reminiscent of his renowned teachers in Syria. Dr. Azar continues to participate as a valued member of the choir in solo and choral interpretation.
In 2000, the Choir recorded its first CD with hymns of the Pentecost period.
LECTURES-CONCERTS:
In 2000, the Choir presented a lecture-concert on the hymnology of Christmas at the University of Pittsburgh.
In 2001, the Choir presented a lecture-concert on the works of the Abbess Kassiani at the University of Pittsburgh
In 2001, the Choir presented a lecture-concert in support of a presentation by Dr. Giannoukakis, invited by Notre Dame University as part of the 27th Byzantine Studies Conference.
In 2002, the Choir presented a lecture-concert during the Banquet of the 28th Annual Byzantine Studies Conference in Columbus Ohio
In 2003, the Choir was invited to support a lecture by Prof. Diane Touliatos-Miles at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
In 2004, the Choir was invited to present a lecture-concert at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. We were honored to be joined by Prof. Constantinos Lagouros, Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), Prof. Daniel Nodes (currently at Baylor University, TX), Mr. Sarantis Alexopoulos from Chicago, and Mr. Apostolos Combitsis, one of the few Protopsaltae (St. Barbara, Toms River, NJ) in the USA who represent the authentic tradition of Byzantine chant in the yphos of the Great Church of Christ.
Program Notes and Varia from the Choir Lecture-Conferences of the Period
2004. Lecture-concert at the University of Missouri at St. Louis.
2004. Dinner in honor of the Choir following the lecture-concert at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. In the photo are Prof. Constantinos Lagouros, Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), Mr. Apostolos Combitsis (Protopsaltis, St. Barbara, Toms River, NJ), Dr. Elie Azar, Mr. Gus Miliotis, and Prof. Diane Touliatos-Miles.
2004. Dinner in honor of the Choir following the lecture-concert at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. In the photo are Mr. Sarantis Alexopoulos, Prof. Daniel Nodes, and Nick Giannoukakis
The Choir's first CD (2000). Donated to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh in support of the youth programs.