The Choir’s mission is to lead the worship responses at all Orthodox liturgical services in a prayerful and conscientious manner. The choir strives for ongoing improvement of singing skills; ongoing education of singers and congregation through insights gained from our liturgical responses; training for the next generation of singers; expanded readers’ schedule; training singers in the order of services (i.e. rubrics); involving the congregation in singing the liturgical responses.
The choir also provides services to those who request choir participation at services such as Orthodox weddings, baptisms, funerals, etc. Baptisms and weddings can occur four to eight times yearly. In addition, in past years choir members have gone caroling at Christmas time to parishioners’ homes as requested—a practice which may be revived in the future.
The Choir Director also trains readers, creates the readers’ schedule, and oversees the readings for Hours, Epistle, and Post-Communion prayers.
There are currently about fifteen members in the Choir, but continually in search of new singers and readers. Two goals of the Choir are to participate in Pan-Orthodox services and host small choral concerts.
“I can safely say for all of us that singing in the choir has taught everyone a great deal about our feasts and commemorations and has vastly deepened our understanding of the theology of the church.”
“As we grew, our repertoire grew too. We sang for every divine service. It became necessary to develop music books for special services, e.g. feasts, funerals, weddings; we now have ten separate volumes.”
“From the very first, we strove to involve Ohio State students and those from other nearby universities as singers and readers. In this way, we have had the pleasure of working with some terrific young men and women, many of whom remain in contact with us.”
“But finally, choir singers sing because they just love to sing. It’s a tremendous commitment of time and energy, but it’s worth it. I think that the passage from the 103rd Psalm conveys our attitude: “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” It is a privilege that has been given to us to be able to lift our voices in praise to the Lord.”