From November 14-19, 2022, the ELCIR Theological Institute taught the Cantor Course, Class Period 2. The Cantor Course is a one-week crash course in all things that a church cantor/church organist/choir director/director of musical ministry must know.The course gathered 20 inspired, motivated, talented musicians from different ELCIR congregations from various locations in Russia from St. Petersburg and Karelia to as far as Tatarstan and Buryatia.
The classes included a study of the New Testament, choir conducting, voice or instrument solo performance, organ playing techniques with special attention to playing the pedal, voice development, cohesion between the cantor and the celebrant, church history, and the ELCIR Russian hymnal. Part of the off-campus curriculum was attending a recital of the ELCIR Chief Organist Marina Väisä at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in St. Petersburg. Part of the discussions revolved around such topics as church festivals and their significance for the worship service.
The attendees also enjoyed informal social time with tea and snacks in the evening, singing hymns, telling stories, and exchanging their impressions in a warm and friendly atmosphere!
Based on a report by Yevgenia Borisova, cantor, Hietamäki Lutheran Church
Photo credits: Irina Piglitsina, Natalia Vengerova
