Choir

From the Loft – Come One, Come All!

The Cathedral Choir invites you to join us. Basses, Tenors, Sopranos and Altos are needed. Rehearsal is each  Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.   

Pictured above with Father Philemon & Father Nick: Sondra Awad, Choirmaster, Finnie Theofanos, 1st row: Sandra Hanna, Daphne Tsimpris, Melissa Ellis, Loretta Kirk, Chris Lewis, Barbara Bambacus, Presvytera Vivian Bacalis, Georgia Fragale, Organist, Ekaterina Singletary. 2nd row: Floyd Herdrich, Gordon Malick, Don Marlow, William Dantini, Lawrence Koenig, Andrew VanCamp, Jacob Owens, Presvytera Emily Bartz, John Stratiou.  Not pictured: Elaine Mandaleris-Preddy, Rachel Korba, Rachel VanCamp, Selena Dajan, Dimitris Dragonas, Claudia Marlow, Nicholas McCray

National Church Music Sunday

     We have so much to be grateful for at our church, and on Sunday, Oct. 5, we recognize and show appreciation to the choir and the psaltes who coordinate with our clergy to provide a worshipful liturgical experience.

      Here in Richmond, we’ve had a choir since 1931, first directed by Louis Junes. Today, under the direction of Sondra Awad and accompaniment of Georgia Fragale, we have 26 choir members who devote their time and energy every week to prepare for Sundays, special services, concerts, and other occasions. For years, along with those of Greek heritage, membership has included Orthodox singers of other nationalities. Recently, we’ve also seen an increase in singers who have converted to Orthodoxy. In the past three years, we’ve added 11 members, many of whom are converts.

      We’re also very fortunate to have Protopsaltis John Bletsos lead our psaltes (chanters) during services. John grew up in Greece with family members who served as clergy and psaltes. He has been trained in Byzantine Music by his father (Fr. Vassilios Bletsos), and psaltes Georgios Nikitas and Anastasios Lazaridis. As our lead psalti since 2000, John has always welcomed and encouraged others to join him. During the “era of Covid,” Father Nick, John and then youth director, Dean Tiggas, chanted in an empty church, with the service being streamed online so that parishioners could continue to worship communally. Before Covid, nonagenarian Tony Prousalis chanted with John, having chanted at the psalti stand since Fr. Constantine Dombalis was the Dean of our Cathedral.  The late Dimitrios Karion chanted with John from 2004 to 2020. Today, John leads seven chanters, three of whom also sing with the choir. Every week, director Sondra plans and coordinates with clergy and psalti for music timing and presentation.

      Not only do our singers participate in services, but they also minister in other ways. In December, choir members go caroling at the homes of senior members in our community and sing carols at the Philoptochos Christmas dinner and on other special occasions. Last year before Valentine’s Day, the group sold festive crafts and edible treats. John and fellow psaltes chant the Matins services on Sundays, on Saints’ feast days during the week, during Holy Week services and at weddings, baptisms and funerals, and sing during the choir’s Greek Festival concert.

      On Oct. 5, be sure to stop by the choir table to say, “thank you,” get information, see photos, and enjoy a few treats.