An Historic Collaboration produces Master Class, Concert and CD

Hundreds of faithful from Pennsylvania and her surrounding states poured into St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, PA on March 3, 2013 to participate in a much anticipated event.

The historic vocal ensemble assembled in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of both St. Tikhon’s and St. Vladimir’s Seminaries and featuring singers from both schools as well as singers from Holy Trinity (Jordanville), who are celebrating their 65th Anniversary, and the St. Tikhon’s Monastery Community. This event marked the first time that singers from each of these institutions have collaborated musically, but as St. Tikhon’s Choir director Benedict Sheehan remarked, “We hope that the success of this event will mark a new era of cooperation between the music departments of all three seminaries.”

The choir was led by renowned music instructor and choir director Vladimir Gorbik who in his closing remarks thanked everyone for their participation in the Masters Class and for all the hard work put forth by the participants. In the days leading up to the concert, the students participated in a grueling rehearsal schedule, meeting three times daily, as well as singing for the Vigil and Liturgy Services at the monastery church.

Closing remarks were offered by the Rector of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey. In praising the choir under the direction of Maestro Gorbik, His Grace said how incredible it was for 25 individual male voices, in 4 separate parts, to join “in harmony” to produce such a masterpiece of a concert. He added that it reminds us how together these three distinct seminaries can work together “in harmony” to promote Orthodox theological education in our country and to spiritually form the future leaders of our Holy Church.

The live recording of this concert was released in 2013 by St. Tikhon’s Press. (CD, iTunes, Amazon)