International Conference on Orthodox Church to open in Joensuu, Finland, June 8
Programme to focus on the role of Church, State, and Nation in Liturgical Music

Joensuu, Finland – After months of organizing and preparing, the board and members of the International Society for Orthodox Church Music (ISOCM) are ready to host the Third International Conference on Orthodox Church Music, beginning Monday, June 8 at the University of Joensuu, Finland.

The conference will open with remarks from Teuvo Pohjolainen, the Vice-Rector of the University of Joensuu, Petri Piiroinen, Head of the Department of Orthodox Theology, Hilkka Seppälä, Professor of Orthodox Church Music, and the Rev. Ivan Moody, ISOCM Board Chairman. Participants and presenters at this year’s conference will represent fourteen different countries and six of the world’s autocephalous Orthodox Churches.

“This conference reflects the vision of the Society,” according to the Rev. Ivan Moody, ISOCM Board Chairman, “as it brings Orthodox church musicians together from around the world for dialogue and the sharing of ideas.”

Recognizing the recent increase in scholarly activity related to Orthodox church music, and the ever-increasing accessibility of archival materials, the ISOCM strives to assist these efforts by organizing further practical, theoretical and bibliographical projects. The ISOCM has hosted two previous conferences, in 2005 on The Traditions of Orthodox Music, and in 2007 on Composing and Chanting in the Orthodox Church.

“For us in Finland, it is a huge honour to host the ISOCM conferences since each has featured some of the most qualified speakers on Orthodox music in the world,” said Maria Takala-Roszczenko, ISOCM Secretary. “This year’s conference will include the leading names of scholarship on old Russian musical traditions.”

Some of the papers which will be presented during the conference include: The Pancevo Singing Society as part of Serbian Culture by Vera Carina; The Making of Romanian National Church Music (1859-1914) by Costin Moisil; A Report on the Russian Orthodox Church in Mexico and its Current Musical Practice by Emilia Ismael; The investigation of Russian liturgical chant books in the 17th – 21st century by Nina Zakhar’ina, and Music in the Temple of Jerusalem during the time of the Apostles by Serafim Seppälä.

The music of the Orthodox Church – in all its diverse cultural manifestations – constitutes one of the riches of the artistic heritage of the world. The constantly increasing popularity and knowledge in the West of the various repertoires which make up this heritage, paralleling the increased exposure of the Orthodox Church outside its traditional territories, have generated a correspondingly greater interest both on part of performers, and of scholars in the fields of musicology and liturgiology.

With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland, the ISOCM was founded by participants of the first conference in 2005 to raise the standards for Orthodox church music, and to extend the knowledge of and foment creativity within Orthodox church singing.

“ISOCM makes accessible a broad range and great depth of informed and practical scholarship on significant aspects of Orthodox church music,” said the Rev. Moody, “Dialogue among conference participants reinforces the unity of Orthodoxy in a visible way. Ideas and music are exchanged. Joint projects are developed which lead to deeper and lasting international co-operation in this field, thus avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort.”

This year’s conference participants will share examples of chant from various national traditions, participate in divine services, and witness the release of the 2007 conference proceedings. A highlight of the conference will be a reception held in the city of Joensuu, honoring the ISOCM.

It is expected that Archbishop Leo of Finland will be present for portions of this year’s conference.

“My doctoral research focuses upon the appropriation of Orthodox chant in the music of twentieth-century Soviet composers,” said Rachel Foulds, Editor, British Postgraduate Musicology, MPhil/PhD Candidate, Centre for Russian Music, Goldsmiths College, University of London. “The ISOCM enabled me to meet with international colleagues – of diverse nationalities, experiences, and knowledge – unified by a similar research interest.” Foulds will present her findings during this year’s conference.

Takala, also a doctoral student, at the Theological Faculty of the University of Joensuu, added, “ISOCM conferences are unique gatherings, because they provide cantors, scholars, and performers from both East and West with a neutral meeting place to gather, discuss, and share in the understanding of the liturgical music traditions from different local Orthodox Churches, cultures, and languages.”

The conference will conclude on Sunday, June 14 with a farewell reception following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the 19th century Church of St Nicholas, Joensuu.

For more information about the conference, visit the 2009 Conference page

For more information about the mission of ISOCM and to become a Society member, visit www.isocm.com