The “Workshop for Readers and Musicians,” sponsored by the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (Orthodox Church in America) and hosted on our seminary campus, Saturday, September 9, 2017, was led by our faculty member, the Very Reverend J. Sergius Halvorsen, Ph.D., assistant professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at the Seminary.
The workshop drew 40 participants, who, in a survey, gave favorable reviews regarding Fr. Sergius’s instruction, among them:
This was a great opportunity for people to learn more about reading in church. It was an encouragement to our novice readers and a great place for our experienced readers to get quality feedback. Also, I would be in favor of a longer workshop: Saturday and part of Sunday…for us in central PA, anything closer to us in our diocese would be appreciated!
The workshop addressed liturgical reading as a vital ministry. Participants reviewed the Church’s theology that guides and informs that ministry. They also reviewed rubrics and melodic patterns for reading, as well as methods for chanting the “Prokeimenon” and “Alleluia” in synergy with the choir. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to receive vocal coaching and practice. Workshop activities were taught within the framework of a supportive community of fellow readers and liturgical musicians. Some participants also joined our chapel choir in the singing of Great Vespers at the close of the workshop. Clergy who completed the workshop earned six (6) Continuing Clergy Education credits from the Orthodox Church in America.
Father Sergius, an accomplished liturgical musician, served as director of the 1995 St. Vladimir’s Seminary Octet, and over the last ten years, he has contributed to a number of "Archangel Voices" recordings. He received his Master of Divinity degree from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1996, and completed his doctoral dissertation at Drew University in 2002. From 2000 to 2011 he taught at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell Connecticut, where he also served as Director of Distance Learning. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1999 and to the priesthood in 2004.
