www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship The Kliros Distance learning class on prostopinije

This Spring, the Byzantine Online program of Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh will be presenting a distance learning course on prostopinije. The course lasts for eight weeks, and begins on February 8. From the course syllabus:

MU 101 The Plainchant of the Byzantine Catholic Church

In this course, we will examine the prostopinije, or plainchant, of the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the background and history of church singing in the Eastern Christian Churches of the Byzantine tradition;
2. Explain the historical process that led to the development of prostopinije;
3. Recognize the different kinds of chant used in divine services (ekphonesis, psalmody, hymnody) and how they are employed in the Church’s worship;
4. Classify and describe the melodies of the prostopinije tradition;
5. Compare our liturgical chant with that employed by other Churches.

Prospective students who already participate in the Byzantine Catholic Church will have the opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of our liturgical chant, and how it is used in our services.

Students from other churches or disciplines will be provided with a living example of a complete system of liturgical chant, and learn how it has been used in the past, and is used today.

Course outline

Week 1: Introduction to the course

What is liturgical chant? Basic concepts from music and liturgy that you will need for this course.

Week 2: Chant in the early church; Byzantine chant

The use of music in the early Christian church, and the development of Greek chant in the Christian East from 300 CE to 1453 CE.

Week 3: Slavic chant

The introduction of Byzantine chant into the lands of Rus’, and the development of various forms of Slavic chant, particularly znammeny chant. Regional chant traditions, and early Slavic polyphony.

Week 4: The development of prostopinije

The early history of the chant tradition of the Subcarpathian Rus’, and its gradual differentiation from other chant families. An overview of the prostopinije chants and their organization and use.

Week 5: The teaching and standardization of prostopinije from 1850 to 1950

Chant schools in Europe and America, and the role of printed collections and oral tradition in the development of modern prostopinije.

Week 6: Prostopinije in English

The transition from Church Slavonic to English, and the history of English chant settings.

Week 7: Prostopinije in parish life

Congregational singing, and the role of cantor and choir. Harmonization of prostopinije. The rediscovery of chants for the Divine Praises. The influence of non-liturgical “spiritual songs” on liturgical singing.

Week 8: Conclusion

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The course is not designed to "make" a cantor, but instead to provide the background knowledge to make sense of our chant system and its history.

The course fee is the same as for other Byzantine Online courses. Registration should be open shortly at the seminary website: bcs.edu [bcs.edu].

If you have any questions about the course, or suggestions for material to cover, please write me at Plainchanter@gmail.com.

In Christ,
Jeff Mierzejewski
Instructor, Metropolitan Cantor Institute

In response to a number of questions:

The course begins in February SIXTH, not February 8 as stated above, and is taught entirely online. You only need a computer, an internet connection, and speakers or headphones.

Lectures are recorded, and you can go through the week's lessons and assignments at your convenience.

The course fee is $500 if you are taking it for the Certificate in Eastern Christian Studies from Byzantine Catholic Seminary, or $350 to take it as an auditor. Group discounts are available. If you audit the course, you are under no obligation to take quizzes or do other work (though you will learn more if you do).

In Christ,
Jeff Mierzejewsi

Registration is now open for the course, at:

Byzantine Catholic Seminary registration page [bcs.edu]

Look under Liturgical Theology.

Has anyone taken the online distance learning class? I would be interested in hearing their thoughts about it. I would love to take it but, unfortunately the cost is a bit out of my financial range. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

I too would be very interested, yet sadly I am also not in a position at the moment to invest $500 in this worthwhile course of study. While I appreciate that the course offering comes at a cost to the Seminary, and that this rate is very reasonable in comparison to online offerings at secular institutions, it is unfortunate that we cannot provide a learning opportunity for the many long-time, dedicated volunteer cantors who also cannot make it to Pittsburgh for the live MCI sessions.

For now, I am prayerfully grateful for the MCI website and the guidance of my pastor for further development as cantor. But as a life long student and naturally curious guy, I would like to be able to do more to learn ...

Joe:

Yes, we are both singing in the same choir loft (pun intended), I would love to hear others experiences with the online course but the investment, while totally understandable, just is not possible for me. I know there have been Cantor seminars held in Sybertsville and in Pittsburgh but, thats a long trip as the crow flys from my and your area. I was blessed to study a bit with an elderly Cantor in Slovakia during my many trips there but time was limited due to family obligations, funny, at the time I had no thought that I would ever be performing Cantor services, I suppose God had things all figured out but did not let me in on it until years later.

I am very, very honored and proud to have Cantor Spontak guide me, he has taken me under his wing and I have learned ever so much, he is a gifted and outstanding artist; also, I could not have come this far either without the assistance and support of Father Marcel and Father Jody who have been wonderful teachers to this unworthy volunteer Assistant Cantor. Like you, I would love to immerse myself in learning every aspect of Prostopinije and possibly someday seminars can be held in areas that will be accessable to those of us in the Northern NJ/New York areas.

Some type of program at the Cathedral (or the Parish Center / Chapel) would seem logical, no? After all, it is HQ for the Eparchy ...

BTW - you're in good hands with Tom Spontak!

I totally agree Joe and have an idea, kindly PM me...

Also, yes, Tom is the best of the best, a wonderful gentleman and a true artist, I truly am blessed to have him as my teacher!

I would be interested in such a class, but not this spring. Starting with Summer 2012, or Fall 2012, I'll be available. Any info on what will be offered then?