The Orthodox Christian Music Project(OCMP), was founded in the summer of 2009 by Composer and Choir Director Robert Sirico for the advancement of sacred music both liturgical in function and devotional in spirit.
The catechism of the Orthodox Church is no more clearly expressed than in the ancient hymnography sung during the sacred services of the liturgical year. We, as composers of Sacred Music, say nothing new or express our own opinions. Rather, we echo what has been timelessly repeated by the Holy Orthodox and Catholic Church which proclaims ‘Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever ….’ (Heb 13:8)
The Mission of the ‘Orthodox Christian Music Project’ is multifaceted and its works include:
Bringing the sacred texts of the ancient church to the ears of the modern listener by assimilating and re-presenting them through original music rooted in ancient forms. When one plumbs the riches of the texts of various hymnographers from various periods in the churches’ history, there is an astounding corpus which reflects the diversity of topics for which, and needs of persons about whom, the church prayed. The church has always been concerned for the welfare of her suffering souls here on earth as well as for their eternal salvation in the age to come. This is nowhere more apparent than by surveying the table of contents of the Menanion or the ‘Great Book of Needs’.
Bringing the sacred texts of the ancient church to the ears of the modern listener by assimilating and re-presenting them through original music rooted in ancient forms. When one plumbs the riches of the texts of various hymnographers from various periods in the churches’ history, there is an astounding corpus which reflects the diversity of topics for which, and needs of persons about whom, the church prayed. The church has always been concerned for the welfare of her suffering souls here on earth as well as for their eternal salvation in the age to come. This is nowhere more apparent than by surveying the table of contents of the Menanion or the ‘Great Book of Needs’.
Charitable Outreach:It is the explicit objective of the OCMP to compose new music from the ancient sacred texts and to premier these works in concerts, prayer services, or Divine Liturgies to spiritually minister to the needs of the souls of our hearers, to raise social awareness about the needs of our suffering brethren, and to cooperate with the charitable works of the Holy Orthodox and Catholic Church and organizations such as the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).
Promoting Good Musicianship and Providing Support and Training for Choir Staff of the Parishes in the Orthodox Church in America:As an endeavor of the OCMP, seminars and workshops are in development to provide support, training, and music materials for choir directors, choir members, and ‘Readers’ to help them learn the cycle of ’Service Books’, prepare for the holy feasts, improve their singing technique, and to chant fluidly.
Future Endeavors
The Orthodox Christian Music Project has had the privilege of premiering original liturgical music to accompany services at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers New York, the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York City, as well as para-liturgical performance cantatas drawn from the hymnography for Christmas and Holy Friday. A full video playlist is available on the Orthodox Christian Music Project YouTube Channel.
There are two OCMP concerts planned for the future which include “The Epiphany Cantata” due for performance in 2015 and the biographical cantata, “The Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov”, half complete but due for premier in 2016-17.
As the Orthodox Christian Music Project is still in its infancy, there is a long road ahead to achieve, by God’s grace, all the objectives listed in the mission statement and on the performance agenda. Nonetheless, we are pleased to be of service to the Church and her flock, and hope to receive the blessings and financial support to continue this ministry for years to come. Please visit the “Orthodox Christian Music Project” website, or our Facebook page for status updates on projects, concerts, and ministry activity.
Robert Sirico
Composer & Founder
Orthodox Christian Music Project
OFA BLOG
LIKE. WATCH. FOLLOW. LISTEN.
