PAGE 1 THE BYZANTINE ECHO JANUARY 2010 Mid...

THE BYZANTINE ECHO JANUARY 2010

PLANS FOR

CONVENTION

IN CANONSBURG

PROGRESSING

A News Publication of the

Mid-Eastern

Federation of

Greek Orthodox

Church Musicians

JANUARY 2010

LEFT: Youthful members of MEFGOX pose at last year’s convention. Encouragement of youth participation will continue to be a major focus of the Mid-Eastern Federation’s goals. Photo courtesy of Anna Niforos

A Message to All Federation Members

from the Choir Director at All Saints

Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg,

Pa. and a member of the 2010

convention planning committee:

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with great humility and enthusiasm that I am writing this letter. I was overjoyed to meet with the executive council of MEFGOX on Saturday, November 7, 2009. We have been truly blessed to serve as host for the 63rd Annual MEFGOX Convention in July 2010. A great weekend is currently being planned by our committee. Some activities will include a paraklesis service at our chapel in the country, poolside music and dance, youth recognition, and many other activities. Please make every attempt to join your fellow musicians in Canonsburg for this annual event. We are looking forward to seeing all of you and worshipping together as a family.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Pankas Zeremenko

MORE INFOMATION INSIDE

MEFGOX 63RD ANNUAL CONVENTION

July 15 – July 18, 2010

All Saints Greek Orthodox Church

601 W. McMurray Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317

Liturgy Setting by Nancy Chalker Takis, Conducted by Stanley J. Takis

Special Events:

Educational workshops by noted speakers and clinicians. Thursday evening Welcome Party with appetizers and entertainment by local youth musicians. Friday evening outdoor chapel Paraklesis followed by an informal poolside dance. Saturday Grand Banquet. Sunday farewell luncheon after the Divine Liturgy.

Accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe.


EDITOR’S OTE, by Stan Takis…

Nancy and I have just returned from New York City, where we participated in the annual Axion Estin Foundation’s conference on Byzantine music at the City University of New York in midtown Manhattan. The conference was entitled “Mostly Orthros,” a play on New York’s “Mostly Mozart” festival. There were lectures on musicology by Dr. Katy Romanou from the University of Athens and other scholars from the New York area. Dr. Romanou was also honored at the publishing of her English translation of Chrysanthos’ great treatise on the theory of Byzantine music, which was originally published in Greece in the early 1800’s and has served as the basis for all Greek Orthodox musical practice ever since. Nancy held a series of workshops on learning to chant Orthros, similar to the workshops held at last year’s MEFGOX convention. The biggest difference was that two highly acclaimed chanters from Thessaloniki, Christos Chalkias and Eleftherios Eleftheriadis, participated in the workshops, serving as a right choir and chanting in Greek, with workshop participants, led by Nancy, serving as the left choir chanting in English. On Sunday, this combination was repeated at the Orthros service of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle. It was a revelation for me. Despite the experience and authority of the Greek chanters, the English choir sang very well, and there was a natural flow and balance between the two groups. One of the participants, a practicing Roman Catholic who attended the conference out of musicological curiosity, remarked that after three hours of chanting both Orthros and the Divine Liturgy, she felt that no time had passed at all. She said that her Catholic services last under an hour, and at the end, she feels she is only starting to be ready for worship, when the service is over. She was very im-pressed with the Orthodox way of praying in church. Orthros is a beautiful and inspiring service, and fully prepares one for the Divine Liturgy that follows. It is full of glorious religious poetry and every Orthros service is unique. As Orthodox Christians, we are so fortunate to have this treasure available to us every week. If a church is without trained chanters, choir directors and members need to step up, as the Church’s ministers of music, and do all they can to make sure Orthros is chanted properly, so that more people will attend this essential service. With modern printing, and sheet music availability on the Internet, there is no reason not to chant Orthros properly in English or Greek. Antiphonal chanting by two chanters or choirs, I believe, is not only the past, but the future of Orthros. It eliminates the fatigue factor that many of us who participated in the MEFGOX Orthros workshop last year felt after the service. As a Federation we can do this, and we will be helping our priests and our parishes in the process. With Orthros on my mind, I’m including an article on the

importance of Orthros that I found on an Internet blog. It was

written by a Melkite priest, Fr. Titus Fulcher, who graciously

allowed me to include the article in this edition of the ECHO.

At the end of the article, I have listed some websites where

music for Orthros may be easily obtained

— A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDET —

I hope that you all had a blessed Nativity season and that

the New Year 2010 will be one of peace and contentment for all. Now that the frenzy of the holidays is behind us, we can focus once again on MEFGOX priorities. Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of traveling a bit and being hosted by some fellow musicians. I would like to thank the choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Director Steve Andrews for allowing me to join them. I was also graciously hosted by the choir of Archangel Michael Church in Campbell, Ohio, Choir President Maria Panagopoulos and Directors, Christine Gaetano and Stephanie Duda. It is one of the most enjoyable parts of my position, i.e. to meet and interact with other Orthodox Church musicians of our two Metropolises.

We were also pleased to hold our last Council meeting in

Canonsburg, Pa. with our prospective 2010 Convention hosts from the All Saints parish. Father George Livanos, and Stephanie Zeremenko, choir director, Nick Loutsion, chanter, and others hosted us for a delicious lunch at the hotel where will be staying. We thank them for their great generosity of spirit. We were warmly welcomed and given a tour of their church and facilities. They are very excited about hosting us this July 15th-18th.

Now we must resume our planning for the rest of the

year. With the convention in Canonsburg fast approaching, I hope your choir is giving some thought to obtaining the music and participating in what promises to be a wonderful experience. Each convention offers something unique and I have no doubt that this one will too. All of our “grass roots” people, your State representatives, should be communicating with you about the accuracy of your choir list, stewardship, potential workshops, scholarships, and the Athenagoras award. Enclosed in this issue of the “Echo” is a Directory of all your representatives so that you can contact them if you like. We are here to serve you with any musical quandaries you might have. Kali Thinami and Kali Sarakosti (Good Strength and Good Lent), with Love in Christ,

Irene Georgantas, President of MEFGOX

THE BYZA,TI,E ECHO is published

by the Mid-Eastern Federation of

Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.

Please send all correspondence to the editor:

Stan Takis, 1900 Burkley Rd., Williamston, MI 48895

Email: [email protected]


ALL SAINTS CHURCH

IN CANONSBURG

IS UNIQUE

With its bright golden dome and high bell tower, All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, just south of Pittsburgh, is nestled in the side of a green mountain. On an opposite high hill rests the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe, and the church is visible in the distance. Between them, Interstate Highway 79 winds its way through the foothills of the Appalachians. It’s a stunningly beautiful setting for the annual MEFGOX convention coming up this July.

The two impressive doors of the church bear distinctive cut glass icons of Saints George and Photios. Above them is a beautiful gold mosaic of Christ. Once inside the building, there is an immediate feeling of spaciousness from the high ceiling and even higher dome. There is much wonderful iconography, and the iconostasis is the longest one in the United States. The choir is located at the left side, opposite the chanters’ stand. A large candelabra hangs over the aisle. This is indeed a most lovely location for our next Federation convention.

At the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, forming the mighty Ohio River, Pittsburgh has become a tourist destination in and of itself. Once dependent on gritty steel mills, the steel industry is largely a thing of the past, and Pittsburgh has re-invented itself as a technology center with many gleaming buildings of notable architecture. The area boasts quaint neighborhoods, excellent restaurants and shopping, points of interest, extensive arts and culture, and the scenery around Pittsburgh is gorgeous, with abundant mountains and river valleys. To find out more, go to www.visitpittsburgh.com on the Internet.


MEFGOX 63RD ANNUAL CONVENTION

YEARBOOK ADVERTISING FORM

Return form and check with text, photos, or your own layout. Church

choirs, include any relevant information about your parish. Send to:

Stephanie Pankas Zeremenko 1009 Second Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317

NAME_____________________________________________PHONE___________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________E-MAIL___________________________

CITY/STATE/ZIP_________________________________PARISH___________________________

PRICES ARE FOR ADVERTISING OR GREETINGS. SELECT YOUR OPTION.

_____PATRON LIST (Name Only), $10 _____BUSINESS CARD SIZE, $25 _____QUARTER PAGE, $50

_____HALF PAGE, $100 _____FULL PAGE, $150 ($100 FOR CHOIRS) _____INSIDE COVER OR BACK, $200

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: All Saints Church Choir

ORDER YOUR DIVINE LITURGY BOOKS FOR THE CONVENTION NOW

The Divine Liturgy Setting by N. Takis Available now in print for only $10 per book.

Yes, you can download it for free on the Internet (www.newbyz.org), but after printing out all 122 pages double-sided, you may appreciate having all the work already done for you instead. If you do not plan on attending the convention, you may still find this book useful in your parish worship as a companion to your other music books. This is a complete Sunday liturgy book in Greek and Modern English with the complete text and music (both major and minor settings) side-by-side in both languages. Hymns are in Western staff notation and include the Resurrectional apolytikia, kontakion to the Theotokos, Trisagion substitutions, four Cherubic hymns, the megalynarion for the St. Basil Liturgy (Epi Si Cheri), hierarchical music, the memorial service, and the Artoklasia service.

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

Send a check for $10 x Number of Books to: Stan Takis, 1900 Burkley Rd., Williamston, MI 48895 or

Send a transfer or credit card payment with return address via PayPal to [email protected] or

Call Stan Takis at 517-980-3830 or 517-655-2060 and make your order over the phone.


The Importance of OrthrosThe Importance of OrthrosThe Importance of OrthrosThe Importance of Orthros

by Father Titus Fulcher

In the Byzantine Tradition, the Divine Liturgy is the highest expression of our adoration and devotion to the All Holy Trinity. In the Divine Liturgy we hear the word of God in the Scriptures and homily, and we receive the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is in the Divine Liturgy that we have the most intimate possibility of receiving God’s healing and Holy Grace.

Yet the Divine Liturgy is only part, the central and most important part, but only part of the salvific worship life of the Church. The Apostles and Church Fathers instituted a series of opportunities for worship that work together to encourage, establish and strengthen our spiritual life. These various opportunities are crystallized in the various Offices and Services that grace the Church day, the week, and the year.

Central to all of these various Divine Services are the Psalms and sacred hymnody. The hymnody of the Church (the Troparia, Kontakia, Akathists, and Canons) presents the essential Truths of our Faith in poetic imagery like Divine fruit that is sweet and nutritious to our souls. The system of Sacred Chant (the Eight Tones) and the hymns and Psalms that feature prominently in these Services help prepare our hearts to receive the Grace offered in the words of the Holy Gospel and in the great Gift of Holy Communion. Over time, they aid in our formation as God’s children and increase our understanding of the Sacred Mystery of our Salvation. As Eastern Christians we should not limit our worship to attendance at the Divine Liturgy only.

As an analogy, we might say that the Divine Liturgy and other Holy Services of our Faith are like a medical regime to restore physical health. If we only focus on directions to take a particular medicine that in itself may be most important to restore our health, we may yet not achieve recovery to the extent that would have been possible had we followed the entire course of therapy, for other elements of the prescribed regime also contribute to health. Similarly, the Divine Liturgy and other Holy Services combine to form a spiritual therapy designed to heal us of the defacing effects of sin and to restore us to the health of our original creation. Further, this treatment is able to take us beyond that original purity to the fulfillment of THEOSIS (divinization - maturing in the image and likeness of God). Under this regimen we fulfill the purpose for which we were created and achieve the fullness of our humanity. Therefore, limiting ourselves to the Divine Liturgy only risks limiting our growth as a child of God.

Orthros, the principal morning Service of the Horos (Divine Services associated with various hours of the day), is celebrated immediately before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning in our Tradition. To ignore or omit Orthros is to limit the potential for spiritual growth so important to our Christian life. Therefore, recognizing that the powers of this corrupt world seek to minimize and impede even the short time we offer to God in Church on Sunday, our parochial celebration of Orthros is typically modified, somewhat shortened and leads immediately into the Divine Liturgy. In attending Orthros, worshippers enjoy a better preparation of their hearts and minds for the majestic worship of the Divine Liturgy that follows it.

In Orthros, the various Troparia speak to the glory of the Lord’s Holy Resurrection, the season (such as Great Lent, or the Pre-Nativity Fast), and the relevance of a particular daily commemoration of the Church calendar. Orthros thus contributes to a more intimate worship that reaches its climax in the Divine Liturgy. It helps free our minds of the various snares of the corrupt world of sin, and in promoting our personal participation in a particular celebration of the Divine Liturgy increases our ability, if we will receive it, to experience the fullness of our true humanity.

As Orthros is primarily composed of sacred hymnody, in this beautiful spiritual pearl we can all experience moments of deep personal reflection and perhaps even take advantage of the opportunity for Holy Confession. The various hymns of Orthros, chanted to the mystical melodies so beloved in our Byzantine Tradition, will refresh our appreciation of the importance of the Faith in our lives. For our children, being present and hearing these hymns will ensure that the sacred teachings of our Church enter into their hearts and help them to grow spiritually as they grow physically. In short, we will all be better able to cleanse our spirits and prepare to receive the manifold Grace offered to us in the Divine Liturgy.

In the course of the week we devote hours to movies, sporting events, social gatherings, and countless other activities that can only bring temporary joy to our earthly life. It is a little thing to offer an extra hour or so to our Lord who is both the origin and true goal of our life, and whose Holy Incarnation frees us to discover the divine fullness of our humanity through the Gift of His great mercy and love for mankind.

Thanks be to God!

You may read Fr. Titus’ blog at http://byzantineramblings.blogspot.com/

INTERNET RESOURCES FOR ORTHROS MUSIC IN STAFF NOTATION:INTERNET RESOURCES FOR ORTHROS MUSIC IN STAFF NOTATION:INTERNET RESOURCES FOR ORTHROS MUSIC IN STAFF NOTATION:INTERNET RESOURCES FOR ORTHROS MUSIC IN STAFF NOTATION:

Fr. Seraphim Dedes: http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/?p=67 and http://sgpm.goarch.org/ematins/matins.htm

Hieromonk Ephraim: http://stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Orthros.htm

Nicholas Roubanis Greek Anastasimatarion: http://www.newbyz.org/orthros.html

Nancy Takis Basic Orthros Book in English: http://www.newbyz.org/sunday-orthros-ordinary.pdf


NEWS ITEMS NEWS ITEMS NEWS ITEMS NEWS ITEMS

ADDITIONAL CONVENTION INFORMATIONADDITIONAL CONVENTION INFORMATIONADDITIONAL CONVENTION INFORMATIONADDITIONAL CONVENTION INFORMATION

For those who want to register for the convention as quickly as possible, be advised that our convention hosts are working with the MEFGOX Board and Music Committee to develop a final convention schedule which will include Church Music Institute

information, and time and location of each activity. The registration forms cannot be printed until the Federation council approves the registration fee. Therefore, registration forms will be sent to you through the Mini-Echo or, if necessary, in a special mailing, and, of course, will be in the May edition of the BYZANTINE ECHO. They will also be available on our website, mefgox.org, as soon as they are approved and ready, so keep checking! You may make your reservations now for the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe at 724-743-5000. Specify “All Saints Choir Convention” for the special rate of $102 per room / $112 per suite.

PATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS I MEDAL NOMINATIONSPATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS I MEDAL NOMINATIONSPATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS I MEDAL NOMINATIONSPATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS I MEDAL NOMINATIONS

It is becoming time for our Federation Church Musicians to start thinking about candidates for the 2010 Patriarch Athenagoras Medal. This honor, initiated by the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians in 1996, is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding metropolis contributions to the music ministry of the Church. Any parish musician of an active Federation Parish may submit a nomination to Federation President Irene Georgantas. The Qualification Guidelines and Nomination Information are listed on the Federation website, under the Forms menu. We will reproduce the nominating form in the next ECHO, and will include the postmark date for submitting the nominations. This will be 20 days prior to the Spring Federation Council Meeting, as set forth under our current Operating Procedures. Prior recipients of the Patriarch Athenagoras Medal and holders of the National Forum’s St. Romanos Medal are not eligible for nomination. In 1996, we honored Steve Bournos, of blessed memory, and Mary Ameredes. In the intervening 13 years, we have honored many clergy and many of our fellow and sister Church Musicians. Last year’s recipient was Dan Packis, of St. Demetrios Parish in Rocky River, Ohio, for his outstanding services to the Pittsburgh Metropolis and the Federation, including co-chairing the MEFGOX Scholarship Committee. In the next issue, the nominating form will identify all past recipients. But, in the meantime, please start considering deserving clergy, choir directors, choir members, organists, chanters, youth music directors and other Church Musicians for this honor. Should there be questions about qualifications or procedures, please feel free to contact your respective State Representatives or any Federation Officer.

from Ted Niforos, MEFGOX Vice-President

FEDERATIONFEDERATIONFEDERATIONFEDERATION----WIDE SURVEY RESULTS REPORTEDWIDE SURVEY RESULTS REPORTEDWIDE SURVEY RESULTS REPORTEDWIDE SURVEY RESULTS REPORTED

This past October, an online survey was sent to all Federation members and clergy who are part of the MEFGOX email

distribution list. The survey sought feedback on how well the Federation has done with various elements of our mission. The survey used a scale of 1 (not very well) to 5 (very well). High scores (average 3.9) were given in the areas regarding support of music ministry on the Metropolis and parish levels, distribution of Orthodox music resources, encouraging development of new resources, and promoting educational programs for singers and directors. Slightly lower were scores for promoting educational programs for youth musicians, chanters, and clergy (average 2.6). A large majority of respondents indicated that communication, networking, and opportunities to expand their knowledge of Orthodox music, hymnology, and our services were major accomplishments over the past ten years. Officers reviewed the detailed results and set some priorities based on these results.

MRS. GEORGE RAFAILEDES RETIRESMRS. GEORGE RAFAILEDES RETIRESMRS. GEORGE RAFAILEDES RETIRESMRS. GEORGE RAFAILEDES RETIRES

On Sunday, December 27, 2009 Mrs. George Rafailedes of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Canton, Ohio, officially

retired from singing in the Church Choir after serving a total of 50 Years of Service as a loyal choir member. Loula (Lou) Rafailedes started singing in the Akron Annunciation Church Choir as a teenager under choir directors Buddy and Solon Anastas. After her marriage to George Rafailedes Sr. she then joined the Canton Holy Trinity Choir in 1962 under the direction of Mr. Steve Bournos. Lou has served as District Supervisor of our Choir Federation in the past and attended many Choir Conventions. Also, she has helped the Canton Holy Trinity Choir host many Federation Council Meetings, along with helping the Holy Trinity Choir to host three past Choir Conventions. She was honored by the Canton Choir at their Annual Christmas Dinner this past month. Lou's dedication to the music of our church inspired her son, George Jr. to join the Holy Trinity Choir and to serve as organist, and he went on to direct the St. Demetrios Choir of Rocky River, Ohio for 32 years. Lou's dedication to her church and choir is an inspiration to many of the Holy Trinity Church of Canton, Ohio. She said, “I have always enjoyed singing in the choir, but it's time for other young people of the parish to offer their services to the church and enjoy singing the Sunday Liturgies as I have done.” Lou is has been married to George Rafailedes Sr. of Canton for 63 Years, and they have two children, daughter Connie Rafailedes of Ft. Worth, Texas, and son George Jr. of Lorain, Ohio.


HOLY TRINITY CHOIR IN INDIANA HOSTS JOINT CONCERT WITH BAPTIST CHURCHHOLY TRINITY CHOIR IN INDIANA HOSTS JOINT CONCERT WITH BAPTIST CHURCHHOLY TRINITY CHOIR IN INDIANA HOSTS JOINT CONCERT WITH BAPTIST CHURCHHOLY TRINITY CHOIR IN INDIANA HOSTS JOINT CONCERT WITH BAPTIST CHURCH The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Choir of Carmel, Indiana is hosting a joint concert with the Speedway Baptist Church Choir on Saturday, Jan. 30 a 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity in Carmel, 3500 W. 106th St. (Just north of Indianapolis.) The concert will feature music from both faiths, and will conclude with a combined performance. The concert is free and open to the public.

ST. DEMETRIOS CHURCH IN ROCKY RIVER, OHIO PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PAGEANTST. DEMETRIOS CHURCH IN ROCKY RIVER, OHIO PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PAGEANTST. DEMETRIOS CHURCH IN ROCKY RIVER, OHIO PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PAGEANTST. DEMETRIOS CHURCH IN ROCKY RIVER, OHIO PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

On Sunday, December 13th, our Sunday School and Youth

Choir directed by Diane Matzorkis presented a beautiful program of readings, hymns, and pageantry depicting the story of Christ's birth, and helping all those present get the true meaning of the holiday season. Maria Papandreas did a fantastic job as the narrator. Our soloists: Mary Matzorkis, Eleni Nikolakis, Matthew Szekely, Antonia Hadgis, Anna Packis, Mary Tjotjos, Angelia Szekely and Alexis Bahas sang exceptionally well. The younger Sunday School students representing the angels and shepherds also sang carols under the direction of Mary Matzorkis.

On December 13th, our Church Choir, under the direction of Bill Matzorkis, participated in the Inter-Orthodox Christmas Choir Concert at St. Paul's on Sunday evening. We also presented a Christmas concert after Liturgy on Sunday, 12/20. It was great having all who had been away at college participate in the Liturgy and program with us. We invited everyone in the congregation who was familiar with the "Hallelujia Chorus" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" to join us as a Grand Finale to our program. Our congregation was truly appreciative.

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND AREA CHURCH MUSICIANS PUBLISHED IN A BOOKHISTORY OF CLEVELAND AREA CHURCH MUSICIANS PUBLISHED IN A BOOKHISTORY OF CLEVELAND AREA CHURCH MUSICIANS PUBLISHED IN A BOOKHISTORY OF CLEVELAND AREA CHURCH MUSICIANS PUBLISHED IN A BOOK

A book co-authored by Mike Vasilakes, along with the late Themistocles Rodis, contains a chapter detailing the history of

Cleveland Area chanters and choirs. Greek Americans of Cleveland: Immigration and Assimilation since 1970 is now in its third published edition and explores in detail the roots of the great immigration from Europe to the United States in 1815, the events that

delayed the emigration of Greeks until the mid-1890s, and the forces that precipitated emigration from Greece to America and to Cleveland. The impeccably researched book contains many old photographs and hundreds of oral histories. Mike has been singing in Cleveland's choirs since 1945, and attended the first convention in Wheeling, West, Va., in 1948. He was president of the Tri-State Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Choirs (a precursor to MEFGOX) in 1952-53, and directed the Annunciation Choir from 1979 to 1980. He also was editor of the BYZANTINE ECHO during one of the administrations of John Tsolainos. He co-chaired one of the MFGOX conventions. Currently, he divides his singing time between the Annunciation choir and the Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral choir. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book, please contact:

Mike Vasilakes

Greek Americans of Cleveland, Inc. 12550 Lake Avenue, Ste. 1312

Lakewood OH 44107

This photograph, circa 1930, depicts a Cleveland Greek Orthodox choir that was regularly accompanied by a string quartet.


Federation President Irene Georgantas 125 Hampshire Drive Rochester, NY 14618 H (585) 473-2339; C (585) 703-5005 [email protected] [email protected] Use both email addresses Vice-President Ted Niforos 24383 Greydale St Clinton Township, MI 48036 H (586) 465-4697 C (586) 206-3771 Anna’s C (313) 407-6690 [email protected] Past President Bill Leogas 131 Valley View Drive Belle Vernon, PA 15012 H (724) 872-3103; C (412)817-0697 [email protected] Secretary & National Forum President Dr. Vicki Pappas 3814 Regents Circle Bloomington, IN 47401 W (812) 855-8248; H (812) 339-3142 C (812) 361-9500 [email protected] Treasurer & National Forum Guidebook Editor Peter N.Vatsures 68 W. Cooke Road Columbus, OH 43214 W(614) 442-1109 H(614) 263-1343 [email protected] STATE REPRESENTATIVES Indiana and Arkansas/Tennessee Dr. Vicki Pappas (see above) Michigan Outstate Elizabeth Sarafis 20 College S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Home (616) 458-9487 [email protected] (*) Michigan – Detroit Metro A Elaine Charalambopoulos 5919 Burger Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 313-386-8383 [email protected] New York Zoe Varahidis 69 Thorn Apple Lane Rochester, New York 14626-4445 H (585) 453-9834, C (585) 613-1949 [email protected]

NE Ohio Jonathan Kenepp 2397 Triplett Blvd Akron, OH 44312 (330) 784-9113 [email protected] SE & W Ohio Chris J. Zervos 2159 Evergreen Road Toledo, Ohio 43606 Home (419) 865-6165 [email protected] Western Pennsylvania Lia Christulides 426 Longridge Drive Pittsburgh, Pa. 15243 412-561-2070 [email protected] Central Pennsylvania Thomas Hamilton 4419 St. Andrews Way Harrisburg, PA 17112 [email protected] Otto Wallenmyer 118 Evergreen Road Shermansdale, Pa. 17090-8102 (717) 582-7192 West Virginia Angie Angelos 3462 Pennsylvania Ave. Weirton, WV 26062 Home (304) 723-0923 [email protected] (*) Echo Editor and Webmaster Stan Takis (see page 2) Mini Echo Editors Dr. Vicki Pappas (see above) Barb Minton 9906 Carter Ave. Allen Park, MI 48101 H (313) 383-0466 C (313) 300-2378 [email protected] Stewardship Chris J. Zervos (see above) Scholarship Trustees Dan Packis, Chairman 4651 Greenview Court Avon, Ohio 44011 Home (440) 937-9531 [email protected] Angie Angelos (see above) Mary S. Ameredes 181 Pinehurst Road Munroe Falls, OH 44262 Home (330) 688-6575 (*) not a personal email address

Detroit Metropolis Liaison Barb Minton (see above) Pittsburgh Metropolis Liaison Peter N.Vatsures (see above) Church Music Education Committee (CMEC) Vicki Pappas Barb Minton Evey Simon Irene Georgantas Governance Study Committee (GSC) Vicki Pappas Barbara Minton Chris J. Zervos Peter N. Vatsures Irene Georgantas Dennis Stavros Religious Advisor Rev. Fr. Philemon Karamanos St. George Greek Orthodox Church 16300 Dix-Toledo Road Southgate, MI 48195 Office (734) 283-8820 [email protected] Religious Advisor - Pittsburgh Address Database Manager Kathy Doulgeris 2219 Douglas Drive Carlisle, PA 17013 C (717)440-1491 [email protected] 2010 Convention Host July 17-20 2010 Stephanie Zeremenko 1009 Second Street Canonsburg, Pa 15317 (724) 746-4245 (412) 889-8026 Metropolis Youth Music Advisor-Detroit Evey Simon 797 Middlesex Gross Pointe, MI 48230 C (313) 378-2204; H (313) 824-0071 [email protected] Youth Music Advisor Pittsburgh Diocese Diane Matzorkis 27445 Pineview Drive Westlake, Ohio 44145 (440) 463-3068 [email protected] Documents Archival Manager Dan Packis (see above) Federation Historian Mary S. Ameredes (see above)

Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians 2009–2010 Executive Board Directory


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Copyright © 2008 by ,ancy Chalker Takis. Permission is granted to copy unaltered for ecclesiastical use.

AT THE EXCEEDING BEAUTY

(Tin Oreotita) Third Tone N. Takis


Please read the message about the Friends initiative on Page 12 of this publication.Please read the message about the Friends initiative on Page 12 of this publication.Please read the message about the Friends initiative on Page 12 of this publication.Please read the message about the Friends initiative on Page 12 of this publication.


St. George Greek Orthodox Church

16300 Dix-Toledo Highway

Southgate, MI 48195

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D WYANDOTTE, MI

PERMIT #68

A Special Message from the President of MEFGOX ...A Special Message from the President of MEFGOX ...A Special Message from the President of MEFGOX ...A Special Message from the President of MEFGOX ...

Dear Friend:

A Blessed New Year to you and your loved ones! Last April, we wrote to you and all of the Church Musicians on our mailing list and asked for your assistance in meeting our necessary operating expenses by becoming Friends of MEFGOX. Many of you responded by generously contributing toward our efforts to meet our obligations to the future of Greek Orthodox Church Music. As we explained, the Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians seeks to preserve our treasured musical legacy by, among other things, sponsoring new music, training present and future musicians through workshops and seminars, and providing a network of support, communications, scholarships and camaraderie for musicians of our Holy Church. As you correctly surmise, the underlying expenses that permit us to continue our efforts also are ever present. Like your personal or business or professional expenses, ours also increase and can’t be ignored. The MEFGOX Stewardship Program from our member parishes and our share of Convention proceeds provide our basic revenues. We continue to be grateful for these offerings, but, as we have said, they have become insufficient to allow us to support all of our pro-grams, so we have developed this separate Friends appeal to those who may be willing and able to help us. Therefore, for 2010, we again ask our members, their families, friends and any others who love Church Music, to become “Friends of MEFGOX” to assist us with our expenses and to allow us to continue and expand our educational and support programs. Please complete and return the Friends pledge form (on Page 11 of this issue of the BYZANTINE ECHO) to our Treasurer with your donation. Like the Stewardship programs of our own parishes and of MEFGOX, we do not ask for a minimum amount. You may, of course, duplicate the pledge form to assist in reaching others who may want to support MEFGOX. Your generosity will be truly appreciated and will help us to guarantee that future Church Musicians will be able to serve our Faith through our sacred music.

With our continuing fervent gratitude,

Irene GeorgantasIrene GeorgantasIrene GeorgantasIrene Georgantas

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