DAYTON, OH [DOM] – On Friday and Saturday, September 18-19, over 50 Orthodox faithful from six states gathered at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Dayton, Ohio, for a weekend of liturgical music, prayer, and fellowship.
The workshop, organized by the Diocese of the Midwest’s St. Andrew of Crete Music Ministry, commenced on Friday evening with a moleben and a thought-provoking opening talk titled Poetry in Worship: Understanding Liturgical Texts by Fr. Gregory Ealy. One of the highlights of the weekend was the music reading session during Friday’s reception, where participants had the opportunity to sing both classic and contemporary pieces from composers like Dmitry Bortniansky and Nazo Zakkak.
Saturday’s workshop continued with a full day of conducting training, music instruction, rehearsals, and fellowship, all leading up to Great Vespers. Matushka Vickie led an in-depth session in the morning, exploring chant and its connection to liturgical text, while singing through examples with the participants. After a delicious lunch prepared by local parishioners, conductors Protinica Michelle and Jonathan led two choirs in rehearsals to sing antiphonally during Great Vespers. Meanwhile, Ms. Amedee worked with the children’s choir to prepare a beautiful Valaam Chant arrangement of “Blessed is the Man.”
The talented group of music instructors and conductors included Protinica Michelle Jannakos (St. Luke’s, Palos Hills), Mtk. Vickie Kopistiansky (Holy Trinity, Detroit), Fr. Gregory Ealy (St. Paul’s, Dayton), Ms. Amedee Royer (St. Paul’s, Dayton), and Mr. Jonathan Wey (St. Stephen’s, Lima). Kudos to the local organizing committee. The entire event would not have happened without their dedication.
Participants left the workshop not only with a deeper understanding of the role of music in liturgy but with a renewed sense of gratitude. One attendee from Chicago reflected, “Besides the musical tips I picked up, my greatest joy was singing with all these wonderful voices.” Looking ahead, St. Andrew of Crete Music Ministry is already planning its sixth annual workshop at St. Paul’s in Dayton for Fall 2026.
For more information about next year’s event or if you missed this year’s workshop, please contact Fr. Gregory Ealy at frgregory@stpdayton.org.
