wfn.org | CHURCH MUSICIANS PUBLISH 25-YEAR HISTORY OF CHURCH MUSIC

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IN  THE  GREEK	ORTHODOX  ARCHDIOCESE
		    GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2002

       CHURCH  MUSICIANS  PUBLISH  25-YEAR  HISTORY  OF  CHURCH  MUSIC
		    IN	THE  GREEK  ORTHODOX  ARCHDIOCESE

The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians has announced its
newest publication ? a Silver Anniversary Commemorative Album that
chronicles how the church music ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
developed from the mid-1970's to the present ? its people, its events, and
its accomplishments. Dr. Vicki Pappas, National Chairman, observed that the
Album "provides a detailed and illuminating testament to the work and
accomplishments of church musicians this past quarter century."

Included in the Album are comprehensive articles by noted contemporary
church musicians such as the late Dr. Frank Desby; Dr. George Demos of
Denver, CO; Presvytera Anna Gallos of Baltimore, MD; Dr. Nicolas Maragos of
Rochester, MN; Dr. Pappas of Bloomington, IN; and George S. Raptis of
Detroit, MI. Desby's article describes the work of early church musicians
in the 1940's who began the liturgical music traditions of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese. Gallos and Maragos write of the circumstances
surrounding the chartering of the National Forum in 1976 as the
Archdiocese's ministry responsible for liturgical music in the parishes.
Also reproduced is an earlier article Raptis and Pappas produced for
Archbishop Iakovos's Commemorative Album in 1995, highlighting the growth
of liturgical music during the Iakovian era. Gallos contributed a second
article, "Done It All? - A Silver Anniversary Epistle," calling for
teaching children and youth about their rich liturgical music heritage.
Demos describes to establishment of the Church Music Endowment Drive, which
grew enough to support a $100,000 contribution for a liturgical music room
in the Archbishop Iakovos Learning Center and a $250,000 endowment at Holy
Cross Seminary for a visiting scholar program in liturgical music. Pappas
reviews the growth and development of church music during the past
twenty-five years of the Forum's existence, and articulates the challenges
church musicians must address in the 21st century.

Both Archbishop Demetrios and Archbishop Iakovos offered personal messages
in the Album. Archbishop Demetrios extended his congratulations "for this
twenty-five year span of service, growth, and progress" and affirmed that
the Archdiocese "has been blessed by the breadth and scope of this dynamic
faith witness." Archbishop Iakovos saluted those "who were and are able to
preserve the treasures of our Byzantine, liturgical and unique, for that
matter, music in this land of ours."
The Album is filled with pictures of contemporary church musicians, at work
and at leisure. Also included are histories of each of the diocesan church
music federations. The information in this Commemorative Album is uniquely
compiled and not available elsewhere. George S. Raptis served as Album
Editor and Sean Bieri of Detroit created the graphic design; Barbara Minton
of Detroit, Peter N. Vatsures of Columbus, OH, and Chris Zervos of Toledo,
OH provided administrative support for the project.

Publication of the Album was financed through generous contributions of
individual church musicians, friends and Archons, choirs and parishes,
Philoptochos chapters, and the diocesan church music federations.

Complimentary copies of the Album were mailed to each priest and choir in
the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, as the National Forum's gift to them in
celebration of National Church Music Sunday, observed this past October
6th. Those wishing their own copy of the Commemorative Album may contact
Dr. Pappas at 1700 North Walnut Street #302, Bloomington, IN 47404, or
email pappas@indiana.edu. Copies are available for $15 plus shipping and
handling.

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