Another year of studies is commencing at the Byzantine Music School of Australia (NSW branch) with the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Classes are offered in two locations, at St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College (Redfern) and at the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Kogarah). Lessons are taught by Dimitri Koubaroulis, Andrew Psarommatis, and Basilios Psilacos, lead chanters of the parishes of Kogarah, Burwood, and the Archdiocese Cathedral at Redfern respectively.
In 2023 St Andrew’s will be offering a fully accredited Diploma in Byzantine Liturgical Music; this will only be offered via face-to-face mode on campus. The Diploma will provide students with a comprehensive and rich experience of the key elements of Byzantine music. While the Diploma will equip students with the vocabulary and skills needed for reading musical notation and choral participation in the liturgical services of the Orthodox Church, it will also explore the history, theology, and significance of Byzantine liturgical music.
The Sydney College of Divinity has approved this new Diploma at St Andrew’s, which means the Diploma of Byzantine Liturgical Music will be a tertiary award recognized by the Australian Government. Prospective students interested in learning more about the new Diploma should contact the Registrar at St Andrew’s at (02) 9549 3100 or registrar@sagotc.edu.au. Weekly lectures for the Diploma at St Andrew’s in Redfern will be held on Thursdays, starting on February 23rd, following a compulsory orientation program on 16th and 17th February. For more information, please contact the registrar of St Andrew’s Theological College.
Also, a first in 2023, a children’s class will be offered at the Church of the Resurrection of Christ at Kogarah on Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm, starting on February 21st. Musically talented boys and girls (8-15 years old) wishing to learn the notation and the art of chanting are encouraged to enroll. Lessons are taught in English. For more information contact Dimitri Koubaroulis (0425230439) or dimitri@analogion.com.
The cost of the general course offered by the Byzantine Music School of Australia is $400 per year. The accredited Diploma course offered through St Andrew’s is $390 per semester.