A Sacrifice of Praise

Sep 10 2024 68 ep. 33

A Sacrifice of Praise Podcast artwork

Cantors Amy Hogg and Richard Barrett discuss the state of the field in English-language Byzantine chant, exploring where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.

Religion & Spirituality

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Christina Stavros Kidonakis and the Synaxis of Women Cantors

Amy and Richard talk to Christina Stravros Kidonakis, the Protopsaltria at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, Illinois. Christina was a pioneer for the Byzantine Chant Certificate Program at Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology and is the coordinator of the Synaxis of Orthodox Women Byzantine Cantors, an annual educational event in Chicago for women who are activ

Book Preview - Byzantine Chant, The Received Tradition: A Conversation with John Michael Boyer

Amy and Richard welcome back John Michael Boyer to talk about his new textbook for Byzantine music aimed specifically at English language readers. They have a conversation about the book's beginnings, John's nearly two decades long writing process, what it offers cantors, and how the chant landscape has changed in North America since he first had the idea for the book. Show notes:

A Conversation with Demetrios Katsiklis of St. Nicholas Shrine, Ground Zero

Demetrios Katsiklis is the newly-appointed Master Chanter of the newly-reopened St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero. In this episode he talks to Amy and Richard about his upbringing in Greece, his chanting education, the challenges and opportunities of daily worship at one of the most visible Orthodox churches in the United States, and the intentio

Heaven and Earth: A Song of Creation - Byzantine-Informed Choral Composition

Amy and Richard chat with the composers of Heaven and Earth, Cappella Romana's latest CD release, about the influence of Byzantine chant on this unique collaborative work. Heaven and Earth by Cappella Romana, recording release, October 14 2022 Heaven and Earth, concerts in Seattle and Portland, October 14-16 2022 Heaven and Earth: A Song of Creation performing edition, complete an

Paralaggi Practice: Resurrection Apolytikion, Mode 4

In this episode Amy and Richard discuss the 4th Mode Resurrectional Apolytikion. You can find the score and recordings of the hymn on paralaggi and melos in the show notes, as well as a scale chart for reference. 4th Mode Resurrection Apolytikion in Byzantine notation, by Papa Ephraim 4th Mode Resurrection Apolytikion in Western notation, by Papa Ephraim Parallagi Recording, Amy

“Eve's Daughter Mary Has Opened Your Mouth”: A Conversation With Susan Ashbrook Harvey

Amy and Richard talk to Brown University’s Susan Ashbrook Harvey about her work, including liturgical aesthetics in late antiquity, and how St. Ephraim the Syrian’s choirs of women in fourth century Edessa might be helpful models for us today. Show Notes: Extract from Jacob of Serug’s Homily on St. Ephraim the Syrian [Hyperlink to the pdf which is attached to the email] Mor

Paralaggi Practice: Resurrection Apolytikion, Mode 3

In this episode Amy and Richard discuss the 3rd Mode Resurrectional Apolytikion. You can find the score and recordings of the hymn on paralaggi and melos in the show notes, as well as a scale chart for reference. 3rd Mode Resurrectional Apolytikion - Looped Recording 3rd Mode Resurrection Apolytikion in Byzantine notation, by Papa Ephraim 3rd Mode Resurrection Apolytikion in West

Tips to Overcome Chanting Nerves

Richard and Amy discuss some of the spiritual, mental, and physical disciplines that they have found helpful in overcoming chanting related nervousness and anxiety. Amy explains what happens in the voice box during strong emotions, why this can negatively impact our ability to chant, and then models some exercises showing how to identify and learn to control the muscles involved.

The All-Night Vigil for Saint Richard of Wessex: Orthodox Creativity in Modern English for an Old En

This year, Richard chanted nameday services for his patron, Saint Richard of Wessex (7 February) for the very first time. In this episode, he tells the story of how all of that came to be, what it has to do with Byzantine chant in English, and how it brought together many people who have been on the show over the years. Livestream video of the service at Dormition of the Virgin Ma

Amy and Richard's Absence Excuse Note

Richard and Amy tell us what they have been up to the last few months during their podcasting absence. Both have started new positions, Richard as Director of Publications, Grants, and Operations for Cappella Romana and Amy as the Protopsaltria as St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh.