From 2015-2019
Notable events:
Additional younger individuals joined the choir:
Ms. Christina Arp, Ms. Thyra Altunin, Dr. Marie-Nicole Theodoraki, Eleni Theophylactidou, and Alexander Azar.
A number of lecture-concerts were presented that focused on novel aspects of Byzantine music, hymnology in the context of theology and culture.
In 2015, we began to participate at the annual Orthodox Choirs Christmas Concert in support of FOCUS Ministries.
In 2017, we recorded the Byzantine oratorio "St. Paul" composed by the Very Rev. Evangelos Krontiris which was published in Greece into a CD accompanying his biography as one of modern Greece's most notable clergy.
In January 2018, we were invited to present an overview lecture-concert about Byzantine chant at St. Paul Catholic Cathedral in Pittsburgh.
In 2019, we presented, for the first time ever in America, two Byzantine "oratoria" based on English translations of the Kontakia of Romanos the Melodist; the first was based on the Kontakion of Holy Friday and the second was based on the Kontakion of the Nativity.
Working with Pittsburgh's rapper XXL (JaVon House) members of the choir initiated a first-in-kind "Byzantine"-inspired Christian rap song (2018).
Choir community outreach:
The Choir was invited along with the Pan-Orthodox Choir of Pittsburgh to St. Bernard Catholic Church (2018)
We continued our continuing presence at Cornerstone Broadcasting Network TV on two occasions during this period. The Choir presented hymns of the Resurrection and Hymns dedicated to the Theotokos on the two occasions (2016 and 2017).
Possibly the most exciting and first-in-kind in the world event was the March 2018 joint celebration in memoriam of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos with the African Heritage Room Committee of the Nationality Rooms Program at the University of Pittsburgh, Eastminster Presbyterian Church and the Greek Nationality Room Committee of the Nationality Rooms Program at the University of Pittsburgh. The event received international media attention and promises to be the first of many future events bringing the Choir together with musicians from sister faiths.
LECTURES-CONCERTS:
"The Lenten Period Hymnology and Music of Byzantium" (2016) Lecture-Concert at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Warren, OH.
"Bethlehem, Make Ready: The Christmas Hymnology of Byzantium" (2016) Lecture-Concert, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Treason and Passion, from Bethany to Golgotha: A Byzantine Musical Journey through Holy Week" (2017) St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA.
"From Mysticism to Jubilation: A Voyage through Orthodox Christian Sacred Chant" (2017) St. Bernard Catholic Church, Pittsburgh, PA (joint concert with the Pan-Orthodox Choir under the direction of the Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Soroka).
"From Early Christian Melodic Recitation to Melismatic Masterpieces: A Musical Voyage through 1200 Years of Byzantine Chant" (2018) St. Paul Catholic Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA
"A Celebration in Unity: Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King and Archbishop Iakovos" (2018) Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Thou art my Son and my God", a Byzantine Oratorio on the Holy Friday Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist (2019) St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Come, gather to see a newborn Babe, the God before time", a Byzantine Oratorio on the Nativity Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist (2019), Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, University of Pittsburgh
Notable events:
Additional younger individuals joined the choir:
Ms. Christina Arp, Ms. Thyra Altunin, Dr. Marie-Nicole Theodoraki, Eleni Theophylactidou, and Alexander Azar.
A number of lecture-concerts were presented that focused on novel aspects of Byzantine music, hymnology in the context of theology and culture.
In 2015, we began to participate at the annual Orthodox Choirs Christmas Concert in support of FOCUS Ministries.
In 2017, we recorded the Byzantine oratorio "St. Paul" composed by the Very Rev. Evangelos Krontiris which was published in Greece into a CD accompanying his biography as one of modern Greece's most notable clergy.
In January 2018, we were invited to present an overview lecture-concert about Byzantine chant at St. Paul Catholic Cathedral in Pittsburgh.
In 2019, we presented, for the first time ever in America, two Byzantine "oratoria" based on English translations of the Kontakia of Romanos the Melodist; the first was based on the Kontakion of Holy Friday and the second was based on the Kontakion of the Nativity.
Working with Pittsburgh's rapper XXL (JaVon House) members of the choir initiated a first-in-kind "Byzantine"-inspired Christian rap song (2018).
Choir community outreach:
The Choir was invited along with the Pan-Orthodox Choir of Pittsburgh to St. Bernard Catholic Church (2018)
We continued our continuing presence at Cornerstone Broadcasting Network TV on two occasions during this period. The Choir presented hymns of the Resurrection and Hymns dedicated to the Theotokos on the two occasions (2016 and 2017).
Possibly the most exciting and first-in-kind in the world event was the March 2018 joint celebration in memoriam of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos with the African Heritage Room Committee of the Nationality Rooms Program at the University of Pittsburgh, Eastminster Presbyterian Church and the Greek Nationality Room Committee of the Nationality Rooms Program at the University of Pittsburgh. The event received international media attention and promises to be the first of many future events bringing the Choir together with musicians from sister faiths.
LECTURES-CONCERTS:
"The Lenten Period Hymnology and Music of Byzantium" (2016) Lecture-Concert at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Warren, OH.
"Bethlehem, Make Ready: The Christmas Hymnology of Byzantium" (2016) Lecture-Concert, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Treason and Passion, from Bethany to Golgotha: A Byzantine Musical Journey through Holy Week" (2017) St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA.
"From Mysticism to Jubilation: A Voyage through Orthodox Christian Sacred Chant" (2017) St. Bernard Catholic Church, Pittsburgh, PA (joint concert with the Pan-Orthodox Choir under the direction of the Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Soroka).
"From Early Christian Melodic Recitation to Melismatic Masterpieces: A Musical Voyage through 1200 Years of Byzantine Chant" (2018) St. Paul Catholic Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA
"A Celebration in Unity: Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King and Archbishop Iakovos" (2018) Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Thou art my Son and my God", a Byzantine Oratorio on the Holy Friday Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist (2019) St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Come, gather to see a newborn Babe, the God before time", a Byzantine Oratorio on the Nativity Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist (2019), Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, University of Pittsburgh
Program Notes and Varia from the Choir Lecture-Conferences of the Period as well as from other Notable Events
2015. At the Orthodox Choirs Christmas Concert in support of FOCUS Ministries.
2016. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Warren, OH
The oratorio "St. Paul" of the Very Rev. Fr. Evangelos Krontiris.
2016. A very moving visit to His Eminence Maximos, formerly Pittsburgh.
2017.
From L to R:
Michael Azar, Alexander Azar, Tom Boudros, Panagiotis Mikroudis, Deacon Robert Lykos, Karen Kietzke, Theodore Nerris-Kakoulides, Dr. Elie Azar, the Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Bender, George Pantelakis, Bill Economou, Steve Andrews, John Fekos, Bill Papazekos, Amy Hogg, Nick Giannoukakis
From L to R:
Michael Azar, Alexander Azar, Tom Boudros, Panagiotis Mikroudis, Deacon Robert Lykos, Karen Kietzke, Theodore Nerris-Kakoulides, Dr. Elie Azar, the Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Bender, George Pantelakis, Bill Economou, Steve Andrews, John Fekos, Bill Papazekos, Amy Hogg, Nick Giannoukakis
2017. Together with the Pan-Orthodox Choir of Pittsburgh at St. Bernard Catholic Church
2017. At the Orthodox Choirs Christmas Concert in support of FOCUS Ministries.
2018. At St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh.
From L to R:
Front row: Panagiotis Mikroudis, Tom Boudros, Deacon Robert Lykos, Thyra Altunin, Bill Economou, John Fekos, John Kellis, Konstantine Fekos, Karen Kietzke, Amy Hogg, Theodore Nerris-Kakoulides
Back row: Dr. Elie Azar, Steve Andrews, Alexander Azar, and Michael Azar
From L to R:
Front row: Panagiotis Mikroudis, Tom Boudros, Deacon Robert Lykos, Thyra Altunin, Bill Economou, John Fekos, John Kellis, Konstantine Fekos, Karen Kietzke, Amy Hogg, Theodore Nerris-Kakoulides
Back row: Dr. Elie Azar, Steve Andrews, Alexander Azar, and Michael Azar
2018. "A Celebration in Unity", at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.
L to R:
Back row: Dr. Nicholas Loutsion, Panagiotis Mikroudis, John Fekos, Steve Andrews, Bill Economou, John Apostolides, Tom Boudros
Front row: Despina Hages, Christina Arp, Eleni Theophylactidou, Marie-Nicole Theodoraki, Karen Kietzke
L to R:
Back row: Dr. Nicholas Loutsion, Panagiotis Mikroudis, John Fekos, Steve Andrews, Bill Economou, John Apostolides, Tom Boudros
Front row: Despina Hages, Christina Arp, Eleni Theophylactidou, Marie-Nicole Theodoraki, Karen Kietzke
2018. At the Orthodox Choirs Christmas Concert in support of FOCUS Ministries.
L to R:
Back row: Amy Hogg, Panagiotis Mikroudis, Steve Andrews, Eleni Theophylactidou, Konstantine Fekos, Karen Kietzke
Front row: Bill Economou, John Fekos, John Kellis
Dr. Nick Giannoukakis (Epistle reading)
L to R:
Back row: Amy Hogg, Panagiotis Mikroudis, Steve Andrews, Eleni Theophylactidou, Konstantine Fekos, Karen Kietzke
Front row: Bill Economou, John Fekos, John Kellis
Dr. Nick Giannoukakis (Epistle reading)
April 14, 2019: "Thou art my Son and my God"
A Byzantine Oratorio
A Byzantine Oratorio
April 14, 2019: "Thou art my Son and my God"
Left side (from L to R): Thyra Altunin, Amy Hogg, Karen Kietzke
Right side
First Row (from L to R): Mike Rodites, Konstantine Fekos, Nick Giannoukakis
Back Row (from L to R): Bill Economou, Eleni Theophylactidou, Bill Papazekos, John Fekos, Steve Andrews, Alex Azar
Left side (from L to R): Thyra Altunin, Amy Hogg, Karen Kietzke
Right side
First Row (from L to R): Mike Rodites, Konstantine Fekos, Nick Giannoukakis
Back Row (from L to R): Bill Economou, Eleni Theophylactidou, Bill Papazekos, John Fekos, Steve Andrews, Alex Azar
December 1, 2019: "Come, gather to see a newborn Babe, the God before time"
A Byzantine Oratorio
A Byzantine Oratorio
December 1, 2019: "Come, gather to see a newborn Babe, the God before time"
From L to R: Karen Kietzke, Eleni Theophylactidou, Amy Hogg, Mike Rodites, Nick Giannoukakis, Dr. Tom Rosvanis
From L to R: Karen Kietzke, Eleni Theophylactidou, Amy Hogg, Mike Rodites, Nick Giannoukakis, Dr. Tom Rosvanis
