Second Annual POCM Composers' Retreat

St Cloud, MN - On Saturday September 21st, Pan-Orthodox Choir Ministry's second annual Composers' Retreat was held at Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Church in St Cloud. Twelve composers, directors, and singers from seven area parishes came together, eager to share and learn new compositions of Orthodox liturgical hymns. 

The composers each had the opportunity to introduce a piece they'd been working on, and, with capable sight readers on hand, to hear it sung for the first time. As host and moderator, Sean Wesche asked each composer to share what inspired their piece and what feedback they were looking for. Offering a peek behind the curtain, the composers shared about their composition process. They talked about some of the factors they consider such as singability and the function of the piece in the liturgical setting. With all of this in mind, the group sang through each piece. With fellow composers, directors, clergy, and choir members in the group, each participant was able to gather a wide range of feedback. The discussion covered text settings, the construction of the chords, how the piece would work with liturgical movements, and more.

The pieces included new settings of: It is Truly Meet (Alison Blomberg), the Trisagion (Alex Langley), By the Waters of Babylon (David Lucs), Of Thy Mystical Supper (Peter Tabeling), the 15th Antiphon from the Matins of Holy Friday (Mark Wesche), and the Cherubic Hymn (Sean Wesche). The composers showcased the diverse landscape of Orthodox music with original compositions and pieces inspired by Bulgarian chant and African American spirituals. 

After the session, Alison Blomberg, the director at Holy Myrrhbearers, ran rehearsal for the singers staying for vespers. It was a joy to sing vespers settings by some of the visiting composers, such as Blessed is the Man (Mark Wesche) and Vouchsafe, O Lord (David Lucs). Vespers was followed by food and fellowship with the whole group.

Thank you to the composers and singers for offering your talents and feedback! We look forward to singing the finished compositions.

Many thanks to Fr Peter Ries for welcoming us to Holy Myrrhbearers, to Alison Blomberg for welcoming the singers into the choir, and to Sean Wesche for planning the event!