AECMC

On August 1, 2025, the third year of study at the ROCOR Church Singing School (European Department) ended. Classes, as usual, were held daily for two weeks on the territory of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon in Cologne (Germany).

​

This year we had all three levels of students for the first time as this was the third year of the school operation. Participants in the main programme for choir directors, singers and readers mastered more than 100 hours of study load in ten subjects and participated in 10 services. Students of the 3rd year prepared their diploma works and spent some time working with the choir. They learned musical material with other students and were taught the basics of conducting and working on a piece. As their final diploma project, the graduates conducted their chosen pieces. Another requirement for successful completion of the course was conducting a service with the student choir, where the 3rd year students demonstrated their acquired skills in practice. We congratulate our first graduates, Ksenia Gergel and Elena Häderle.

 

For those who could not come to the full course, a seven-day training seminar was offered. The main goal of this option was to get acquainted with the work of the school, gain individual knowledge and skills, gain practical experience in participating in services, as well as the opportunity to ask questions of interest to experienced teachers. During the seven-day course in this area, theoretical and practical classes were offered on the Typicon, liturgical books, skills of correct reading on the klyros (including vocal training) and the specifics of reading various texts. ​

​

A total of 26 students from Germany, Ireland, Estonia, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, England and the Czech Republic took part in the proposed programmes. ​ The training aroused great interest among the students, many noted the large number of theoretical and practical skills acquired during this time. The opportunity to participate in the services allowed the students to experience in practice the differences in the structure of the services, to practice conducting the choir.

​

The festive services on July 26 and July 27 were led by Bishop Job of Stuttgart, Vicar of the German Diocese. After the Sunday Liturgy, Bishop Job gave a lecture.

​

The organizers and teachers of the school express their gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan Mark and His Grace Bishop Irenei, as well as His Grace Bishop Job for their support of such an important mission, as well as deep appreciation to the parish of St. Panteleimon for the excellent organization of housing and educational conditions. The school benefited from the generous support of the Fund for Assistance to the ROCOR.