On Tuesday the 16th of February 2021, the new year for Sydney School of Byzantine Music officially began at the building of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, in Kingsgrove. The school, which was established by the late Mr Basil Stavropoulos in 2002, continues to train students of all ages in the art of Byzantine chanting.

On Tuesday evening, an opening introduction was given by Mr Kosmas Kokkinos, the head of the chanting school, on the importance of chanting and the running’s of how the school will progress this year. The students were then divided into their respective classes, as determined by their chanting level. The official lessons will begin next Tuesday and continue through until the end of the year.

The course is a 5-year course, with classes held every Tuesday night from February to December (excluding school holidays.) All are encouraged to learn the traditional art of Byzantine chanting, as the course is run for free by volunteer members of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, who are very often Graduates of the school themselves.

It is noted that the chanting school is for those who are of ages 12 years and above. However, for those who are aged between 8 and 12 years of age, a practical learning class has been organised, in which the students learn some of the more basic hymns of our church without the use of Byzantine notation. The practical learning class will run from 6-6:45pm on Tuesdays, with all the other chanting classes running afterwards from 7-8pm.

If you are interested in studying Byzantine Music or would like more information, please contact ssbm@lychnos.org.