The Metropolitan Cantor Institute Program

The Metropolitan Cantor Institute of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, initiated in 1998, has a threefold purpose:

Metropolitan Cantor Institute classes are held on the grounds of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (driving directions).

Program Requirements

NOTE: the information below is still being put in final form, and is subject to change.

Each student beginning course work at the Metropolitan Cantor Institute will do a preliminary audition with the faculty. In the audition, the student sings the following:
  1. A troparion, Glory/Now, and Kontakion, own choice
  2. A section of the Divine Liturgy, own choice
  3. A para-liturgical hymn, own choice
  4. Sight reads a samohlasen tone written out with music (provided)
  5. A dialogue portion of the Divine Liturgy (provided)
This audition gives the faculty an opportunity to see the aspiring student's strength and weaknesses, determining what level of voice building and music theory are needed. The auditions are scheduled on several days in August and September, as required. To schedule an audition, please call the Metropolitan Cantor Institute Office at 412-321-8199.

Certification

In cooperation with the Byzantine Catholic Seminary, the Metropolitan Cantor Institute continues to offer participants a choice of earning either a Certificate or Diploma in Church music over a five-year program.

Those wishing to earn a Certificate in Church Music are required to obtain 10 credits. Attending only the Saturday programs at the seminary over five years will qualify for these credits. Two credit hours will be granted for each year attended (all five sessions).

Those wishing to earn a Diploma in Church Music are required to obtain 19 credits. These credits will be attained by attending all sessions of the Saturday programs for five years (10 credits) and by attending courses in areas of Liturgy, Sacraments, Scripture, Spirituality and Chant (9 credits) at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary. The course work can be studied at the seminary throughout the year. Cantor participants may enroll for the courses at the seminary at a special rate.

Program Description

The program is designed to be done in five one-day "weeks" iin a cycle of five sessions of instruction, each sessions of which covers an area in which parish cantors need competence:
  1. The Hours of Praise: Vespers and Matins;  use of the eight samohlasen tones (2006-2007)
  2. The Resurrection, Prokeimena/Alleluia Tones (2007-2008)
  3. The Divine Liturgy (2008-2009)
  4. Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, Great Week and Pascha (2009-2010)
  5. Mysteries: Initiation; Crowning; Funerals (2010-2011)
The education of the cantor candidates at the Metropolitan Cantor Institute is built out of four components:
  1. Liturgy/scripture/spirituality
  2. Music theory
  3. Voice building
  4. Plain-chant liturgical singing (prostopinije) repertory
The Saturday Cantor Institute "weeks" at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary begin at 8:00 a.m. with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, and conclude at 4 p.m. with the celebration of Great Vespers for Sunday. Lunch is provided.

In addition, there is the "Day of Reflection and Spirituality," an annual event open to all cantors and cantors' assistants. It occurs on Bright Saturday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, PA. The day includes at 9:00 a.m with Paschal Matins, followed by a morning reflection, the Divine Liturgy, lunch, an afternoon reflection, and closes at 3:00 p.m. with Vespers of Thomas Sunday.

Dates for the 2008-2009 Metropolitan Cantor Institute:

To register

Print off the MCI informational brochure, fill out the registration form and send it in!

For more information

Send questions to Darlene Fejka, the MCI Coordinator, or post them on the MCI Forum.