This level is for those who would like to help at the chanter’s stand without committing to leading services. It is OK to be at this level for years, if not indefinitely.
First, be a baptized member in good standing of our parish.
Second, we are willing to train you as long as you are not completely tone deaf. It is very common in Orthodox parishes for mediocre singers to become good and good singers to become great. You do not have to know how to read music, though it helps.
Third, ask for Father’s blessing to help with chant.
Fourth, discuss with one of our chanter leaders that you are interested in helping to chant.
Fifth, start attending a particular service regularly in order to internalize the music.
These are the services in order of increasing difficulty to learn.
- Paraklesis, the music is almost always the same throughout the year
- Liturgy, often has the same hymns each week with only minor changes and having a backing choir of 6 people helps to drown out imperfections
- Great Vespers, hymns change week to week but often they follow the 8 tone cycle
- Orthros, has the greatest number of hymns that change week to week or are sung once a year
One does not need to learn the services in that order, and in fact, the art of chant and the science of leading a service is most exemplified in Great Vespers and Orthros where the variables change the most.
Sixth, just follow along and learn by osmosis. There is enough to learn for several years just by being at the stand without spending any of your free time outside the parish.
When helping at the chant stand, keep in mind: some chant leads only want one person at the stand helping them, some are fine with three others. For Liturgy we can handle six at the stand. Get to know your chant lead and their preferences, but if there is a vacancy then fill the gap as much as you can.
Let the chant lead know ahead of time which parts you’d like to work on, solo, etc.. Also, let your chant lead know if you are willing to be put on the spot.
All of our service books are located in either the chanter’s stand or on the book shelf in the back room.
General Rules of Thumb
Many parish priests and monastics have discussed the right ordering of how one should approach chanting. Here are some rules of thumb, not letters of the law:
- When beginning to chant it is better to blend in than to stand out. Only if you can blend with the protos well, and at their discretion, should you match their volume
- Follow the protos’ lead
- Always get Father’s blessing before the service if you are reading or chanting
- General church etiquette is especially important for chanters to avoid distracting the congregation
- Minimize leaving the stand during the service, sometimes it is necessary
- People look to chanters to know when to cross themselves or bow. Oftentimes chanters have a special privilege to focus on the hymns rather than prostrating perfectly, so it is not always the case that one should do exactly what the chanter does
- Chanting is not an individual performance
- It is better to be understood than to read fast or to sing well. Diction is supreme
- There are certains parts of the services that only the Priest or Deacon sing, lay people should refrain from singing along. If you as a layperson don’t know when just watch the chanters