BOSTON – On Friday, May 2, the examinations for the Bachelor’s Degree in Byzantine Music were held at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. This program was established in 2013 under the inspiration and guidance of Professor of Church Music, Fr. Romanos Karanos, with the goal of equipping students with the knowledge and skills required for the chanting of ecclesiastical hymns. The degree is equivalent to that awarded after five years of study at conservatories and music schools in Greece.
From 2013 until today, 49 men and 16 women have received the degree. This new generation of chanters has begun to staff church choirs and teach the Psaltic Art across the United States. As a result, the Byzantine Music Program is considered one of the most successful at the School.
Members of the examination committee for this year’s exams included His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, who represented the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America, Fr. Romanos Karanos, who presided over the process, Archon Music Instructor and Protopsaltis of the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Washington, Georgios Theodoridis, Protopsaltis of Saint Catherine’s Church in Braintree, MA, Christos Kazilas, and Protopsaltis of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York, Eleftherios Hasanidis.
The newly certified graduates who passed their exams are Hierodeacon Fr. Ephraim Aguad of the Antiochian Archdiocese of America, Thomas Carroll, Zacharias Hartlep, and Jamil Samara.
