• About this site
  • - Sheetmusic archive
  • - FAQ
• Cantor Institute
  • - What is a cantor?
  • - Our cantors
  • - Becoming a cantor
  • - Improving your skills
  • - Online classes
    
  • - Archived classes
    
• Liturgy
  • - Basic elements
  • - Daily cycle
  • - Weekly cycle
  • - Eight tones
  • - Liturgical year
  • - Divine Liturgy
  • - Holy Mysteries
  • - Occasional services
  • - Funeral services
    
  • - Living liturgically
• Menaion
  
• Musicianship
  • - Sound
    - Singing
  • - Intervals
  • - Scales
    - Notation
  • - Vocal course
• Prostopinije
  • - History
  • - Melodies
  • - Harmonies
  • - Rhythm
  • - Performance
• Choral music
  • - Our choirs
  • - Composers
  • - Resources
• Readings
  • - Lectionary
    - Pronunciation guide
• Setting the services
• Singing the services
  • - Preparation
  • - Leadership
  • - Pitch matching
• Spiritual songs
  • - The Hymnal Project
• Tools for learning
  • - Recording your voice
  • - Theta Music Trainer
  • - Using Moodle
  
  

Cantor Institute > Resources for students

Resources for Year C: The Services of the Trebnyk

This portion of the the Metropolitan Cantor Institute program is offered every third year. It covers the services of the Trebnyk: the Holy Mysteries, the funeral services, and the occasional services such as the Akathist and Moleben.

You will need to have a copies of the 2006 hardbound liturgy book, The Divine Liturgies of our Holy Fathers John Chrysostom and Basil the Great, and our current funeral book, The Office of Christian Burial (1982, 2001). Both books can be purchased from the Byzantine Seminary Press. The Press is usually open for business on either the first or second MCI session in the Fall.

We will also be providing extensive handout s and other materials in the course of the year.

The First Session

The first session, usually held in September, will cover the first group of the Holy Mysteries (sacraments):

• Baptism
• Chrismation
• Eucharist
• Anointing of the Sick

Each session will begin with a lecture on the theological and liturgical aspects of the day's topics, and include voice class and chant repertory classes. You will receive several handouts in the course of the day. If you lose any of yours, all class handouts can be found on the Handouts page.

Remember that all handout materials are strictly provisional, and you should check with your pastor before using any of them during services. In general, we will be providing music that matches the texts currently in use in our Archeparchy.

Homework: PRACTICE singing through the all music taught at each session, and become thoroughly familiar with the outline and "flow" of each services.

The Second Session

At the second session, which will usually be in October, we will cover ther wedding and ordination services. Since an ordination is always celebrated by a bishop, we will also address the singing of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. If time permits, we may prepare for the discussion of the funeral services (next session) by reviewing the special melodies used in the Divine Liturgy to commemorate the dead.

In voice class, you will learn the first two Bolhar melodies (which are also the easiest).

Remember the procedure when singing ANY melody: use the key signature to find do; choose a comfortable starting pitch; sing a major triad (do mi so mi do SO do) to establish the key; find your starting pitch for the melody; and begin.

Homework: as after the first session, practice all music taught - ESPECIALLY the Bolhar tones. If you have the opportunity to attend a baptism, wedding, or hierarchical Divine Liturgy, do so.

The Third Session

The third session (in November) begins out study of the services for the dead. We cover the prayers for the dying, the Parastas and panachida. We will cover BOTH the music as given in the funeral book, and the newer settings prepared by the Inter-Eparchial Music Commission and released for general use. We may also provide some additional musical settings that deal with trouble spots in the existing funeral music.

In voice class, you will learn Bolhar tones 3 and 4.

Homework: practice ALL music taught to date, especially for the Parastas. Attend any and all services for the departed that you can.

The Fourth Session

Due to our history of weather in the Pittsburgh area, we usually hold the next class in February. At this session, we conclude our study of the services for the departed with an in-depth look at the funeral service, with and without Divine Liturgy.

In voice class, you will learn Bolhar tones 5, and the funeral hymns in samohlasen tone 6.

Homework: practice the music for the Parastas and funeral service.

The Fifth Session

The fifth and final session, in March, will begin with a Divine Liturgy in the seminary chapel, at which continuing students will have the opportunity to lead the singing from the cantor stand.

During class, we will cover the most occasional services, such as the Akathist and Moleben, and how to celebrate reader services iin the absence of the priest.

There will be a short written and oral examination given at the end of the year; we will tell you well in advance what to expect. Completion of the coursework and the exam will give you credit for Year C of the program.