From February 5–8, participants from several states within the Western American Diocese gathered at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Youngtown, Arizona, for the first Southwest Choral Symposium—several intensive days designed to strengthen the musical life of small parishes and help singers at every level grow in confidence and skill. What began as a group with widely varied backgrounds became, by the end of the weekend, a confident choir offering beautiful, prayerful singing at the divine services. The symposium programming was developed by the Synodal School of Liturgical Music (SSLM), the fourth such event organized under the auspices of SSLM in the United States since 2022, focused specifically on the needs of ROCOR’s English-language parishes. Over the course of the event, people shared experiences, learned from one another, and formed long-lasting connections that enriched the work taking place in the rehearsal room.
The opening rehearsal revealed just how diverse the group was. Some participants had years of choral singing behind them; others were encountering the basics for the first time. Yet the purpose of the symposium was formation, not perfection. Through a steady rhythm of workshops, rehearsals, and lectures, participants learned to listen more closely, breathe together, and gradually shape a shared musical language.
For beginners—especially those from mission parishes—the weekend offered something rare: the chance to stand beside experienced singers and hear traditional Russian Orthodox liturgical music sung with clarity and intention. Even those new to choir absorbed foundational skills simply by being immersed in the environment: how to hold music properly, watch the conductor, follow cues, breathe together, start and end phrases cleanly, pronounce text cleanly, and more. As we were reminded in the keynote lecture, the journey for new choir members begins not with singing a single note but by showing up consistently, observing, listening, asking questions, and learning how the choir works before diving into music theory and musicianship.
The opportunities for beginners extended beyond observation and immersion. The 8-tone system was introduced in two in-depth workshops, demonstrating how the tones can be sung flexibly in many parish settings, whether a choir has one voice part or several. Participants left with a clearer sense of how these tones function and how they can be adapted to the needs of small choirs.
Throughout the event, participants were encouraged to trust the process. Some of the basic practices were not intuitive, and not everything could be explained in advance, but the atmosphere remained supportive, and questions were welcomed. Those who embraced the “bootcamp” nature of the symposium found themselves progressing quickly. The overall tone was consistently positive, shaped by a shared desire to learn and to serve the Church’s worship with greater beauty.
A highlight for many was the opportunity to sing antiphonally. At first, some wondered whether the group could manage it, given the range of experience in the room. But with careful preparation and attentive listening, it came together organically. For many, this was their first encounter with antiphonal singing—an ancient practice tracing back to St. Ignatius of Antioch and deeply connected to how the services were originally written, yet rarely heard today. Experiencing this tradition firsthand was both inspiring and memorable.
By the time the group sang at the weekend services, the transformation was unmistakable. What began as a scattered ensemble had become a cohesive choir capable of producing a unified, prayerful sound. The services themselves became the culmination of the weekend’s work—not a performance, but an offering to God.
We are especially grateful to the instructors: Peter Fekula, Laryssa Doohovskoy, Irina du Quenoy, and reader Mark Hrebinka, who traveled from the East Coast to lead the workshops and rehearsals. Thanks also to Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky who hosted a workshop over Zoom. Their expertise, patience, and pastoral approach made the entire experience possible and gave participants insights and tools they can bring back to their home parishes.
The success of this first Southwest Choral Symposium shows how much can be accomplished when people come together with humility, curiosity, and a shared love for the Church’s worship. Participants left with new skills, renewed confidence, and a clearer sense of what is possible in their own communities. We hope that this symposium inspires future gatherings that build on the foundation laid for small English-language choirs, continuing to cultivate the discipline and mindset needed for choral singing in the Orthodox Church and exploring the rich breadth of the Russian tradition in the English language.
Participant
