Byzantine Chant Academies
Introducing TLAA-WINTER for Beginners
*FOR BEGINNERS ONLY
February 2 - 8, 2025
TLAA-WINTER
NEW! We have added a Winter Academy that is specifically designed for beginners. Please read details below. Note that the Summer Academy is for Intermediate, Advanced and Master Class; scroll down to read more on TLAA-Summer.
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The beginner's course at The Liturgical Arts Academy offers an immersive introduction to the rich tradition of Byzantine chant. Using John Michael Boyer's foundational text, "Byzantine Chant: The Received Tradition," students will explore the first chapter, which lays the groundwork for understanding this sacred art form.
Students will learn to read and interpret Byzantine musical notation, gain an introduction to the tuning of the scales, and become familiar with the basics of liturgical order and rubrics.
This course is designed for those new to Byzantine chant and serves as the first step towards a deeper engagement with the spiritual and musical heritage of the Orthodox Church.
By the end of the course, participants will have the foundational skills to embark on a path of learning to chant and participate in the liturgical life of the church, together with a stronger understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects covered in Chapter 1 of the textbook.
*THIS BEGINNER LEVEL IS OFFERED ONLY DURING THE WINTER ACADEMY
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Byzantine Chant: The Received Tradition, A Lesson Book by John Michael Boyer is required for this class. Order your copy here and use coupon code TLAA25 for 10% off.
Students should read and prepare up through Lesson 3 of Chapter One (through page 35) before arrival.
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Basic musical ability is essential for learning to read Byzantine notation and to chant well. It is recommended that potential students have some skill in pitch recognition. If you are not sure, we recommend you speak to a singer for evaluation.
Note that you are not required to know how to read western musical notation, but any background and experience with music is helpful to the process of learning to chant.
Our instructors will review your audio submissions and give you honest feedback. Please know that everyone is welcome and everyone has potential through hard work and dedication.
TLAA-SUMMER
*INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED & MASTER CLASS
August 17 - 23, 2025
This intensive in-person training continues with stronger class focus at the Intermediate, Advanced and Master Class levels. Prospective students will apply for acceptance into the Academy by completing the application form and submitting the specified audio samples for review. We will publish a timeline of deadlines for submissions and notifications of the status of your application. We ask that you be patient with this process and wait until the the appropriate date to be notified.
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An introduction to Byzantine Music’s expressive ornamentation and modal theory.
Students will learn how to render melodic figures and formulas/theses in a traditional manner with expressive ornamentation and learn the structure and characteristics of the most standard forms of the modes of Byzantine Music.
Prerequisites include basic facility in reading and singing notes and rhythm from Byzantine notation, including fluency in parallagí/solfège. Students unknown to the instructors are required to submit 2 short recorded examples of their singing from Byzantine Notation. One will be of your choosing and the other will be the Intermediate Level assigned hymn.
*THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL IS OFFERED ONLY DURING THE SUMMER ACADEMY
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An exploration of the more difficult and developed modes of Byzantine Music, including modulation between different modes and scales.
Students will develop fuller expression through more polished ornamentation and nuanced tuning, as well as learning elements of Byzantine Music’s proper orthography.
Prerequisites include a general facility with Byzantine Music’s notation and with its modal system, with at least some expressive elements. Students unknown to the instructors are required to submit submit 2 short recorded examples of their singing from Byzantine Notation. One will be of your choosing and the other will be the Advanced Level assigned hymn.
*THE ADVANCED LEVEL IS OFFERED ONLY DURING THE SUMMER ACADEMY
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There is a $150 surcharge for the Master Class. Class size is limited. Instructor: John Michael Boyer.
The Master Class is for more fully developed cantors and will explore advanced and expert repertoire spanning the full spectrum of Byzantine modes and genres, including more highly developed stylistic elements and nuanced tuning.
Prerequisites include total facility with Byzantine notation and a fuller understanding of Byzantine Music’s modal system. Students unknown to the instructors are required to submit a short recorded example of their singing from Byzantine Notation along with registration.
*THE MASTER CLASS IS OFFERED ONLY DURING THE SUMMER ACADEMY
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Byzantine Chant: The Received Tradition, A Lesson Book by John Michael Boyer is required for all levels. Order your copy here and use coupon code TLAA25 for 10% off.
Byzantine Chant Instructors
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John Michael Boyer
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Samuel Herron
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Photini Downie Robinson
FAQs
Why is the Beginner Class now held at a separate time?
TLAA is an intense and fast-paced learning event, and we have seen that the students who benefit most from TLAA-Summer (with its extensive services and high-level content) are those who already have a foundation in Byzantine notation. TLAA-Winter is specially designed to meet the needs of beginners to set them on a course of further study. To take full advantage of the learning at TLAA-Winter, it is strongly recommended that students continue studying through online schools or private instruction.
How do I know what level I am?
Students will apply to the program and be evaluated for acceptance and/or placement. Students will answer questions about their background and experience, and they are asked to submit 2 recorded samples of their singing for evaluation.
What is the required textbook?
Byzantine Chant: The Received Tradition, A Lesson Book by John Michael Boyer. This book is required for all levels at both the Winter and Summer Academies. Beginner students at TLAA-Winter are required to read and prepare up to Lesson #3 at home before arrival. (updated 9/17/2024). Click the link above and use coupon code TLAA25 for 10% off.
Do I need anything special to bring?
An iPad or tablet can be helpful to read texts and music for daily worship, but it is not required (students often share). If you wear a raso or cassock at your parish, you are encouraged to bring it, but this is also not required.
What is required for the audio samples?
Each student is asked to submit 2 audio samples: a short hymn (or song for Beginners) of your choosing and the assigned hymn that will be emailed to you when we receive your application. The assigned hymn needs to be recorded and sent back within 2 days. Having a quick turnaround on the assigned hymn gives us an idea of your skills with music that is unfamiliar; we do not expect extensive preparation. Please label your files as follows: YourName.Title (of hymn or song)
Do we all get the same assigned hymn?
No. Beginners will get a recording (with text) to listen to and record themselves singing. The Intermediate and Advanced level applicants will receive different hymns in Byzantine notation that are appropriate for their expected level. The Master Class applicants will have one-on-one interviews if necessary.
Am I registering or applying?
Anyone may register for TLAA-Winter. We believe that everyone has potential and should be given the opportunity to explore whether the study of Byzantine chant is for him or her. Please read the note above about musical ability to see if this is a good fit for you.
TLAA-Summer has an application process in which students must meet certain levels of proficiency to be accepted into this intensive one-week program. For those who are not accepted, we hope that you will pursue classes and instruction throughout the year and reapply.
What chant schools do you recommend for continuing my education?
TLAA is not a standalone program, but is an excellent complement to any type of ongoing study, whether in-person or online. We recommend 3 excellent online programs for learning throughout the year. Click the graphic links shown for full details on these online schools.
In-person learning is also available at HCHC for the Certificate in Byzantine Music. And of course, we recommend that you return to The Liturgical Arts Academy for intensive in-person training.
PHOTO GALLERY
