THE CHOIR is a volunteer group devoted to the preservation of Byzantine music. An outstanding and talented group, the choir has presented programs at diocesan choir conferences, the Roman Catholic Basilica, the National Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, and the Roman Catholic Seminary in Emmitsburg. In addition, it is widely known for its hierarchical music, wedding music, and Christmas programs including Vivaldi’s GLORIA, Saint-Saens CHRISTOMAS ORATORIO, and Britten’s CEREMONY OF CAROLS [with harp]. In 1985, a liturgy was presented for the Baltimore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists with 200 members in attendance.
On October 15, 2005 the choir presented a concert in celebration of the centennial of the Cathedral.
Our former Cathedral choir directors include -
Athanasios Theodorides – [ 1937 - 1949] First choir director of the Theological School in Long Island, New York. He introduced 4-part singing to the choirs and did extensive research in Byzantine Music at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Under his leadership, the Annunciation choir sang at many functions throughout Baltimore and inspired choir members to further their musical training. He was a pioneer in the field of Orthodox choirs in the United States.
Anna Gallos [1956- 1965] MM degree in Church Music, Composition, and Conducting from Eastman School of Music. Published numerous liturgies, Byzantine Mosaics for Organ, Christmas, and Easter Liturgical propers, Lenten services of Salutations, and Lamentations for Good Friday. Has served as guest lecturer and conductor of church music for conferences. Recipient of the St. Romanos Medallion from the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians in 1980.
THE MUSIC heard in our church services today is Byzantine chant and is to the Orthodox Church what Gregorian chant is to the Roman Catholic Church. It drew from the Jewish tradition and developed in Byzantium from the establishment of its capital, Constantinople, in 330 until its fall in 1453. The music changed considerably during the occupation of the Ottoman Empire.
Most chants heard today are from the 1850′s to the present and have been arranged by our composers whose styles include melody with ison [pedal point], four-part harmony, canonic form, independent organ part, and use of English. The services are always chanted by the priest and assisted by chanters, choir, or congregation. The hymnology is most valuable in that it presents the dogmatic teaching of the Church.
Today there has been an explosion of interest in Byzantine Music due to the internet, thus making it an exciting time when musicologists and composers from all over the world can share their discoveries.
THE ORGAN -research by David Storey [organ curator] indicates the Cathedral organ was originally at the Roman Catholic Basilica and moved by the Congregational Church to its present location. The Niemann e-manual tracker organ was rebuilt in 1960 by Lewis and Hitchcock.
Rehearsals - This year the choir is embarking on a new project for the liturgy. We are learning the Tikey Zes -ALL ENGLISH LITURGY which is the same music being sung at the choir conference in New Jersey. In addition, our rehearsals are now on Sundays immediately after the liturgy. For more information contact: Georgia Tangires at Gtangires@comcast.net, or 410-337-0162.
Director of Music for over fifty years – Georgia Tangires
Peabody Conservatory – scholarship student and graduate,
Recipient of Howard Randolph Award [outstanding performance throughout period of training]
Accompanist -Maryland State Chorus, Preparatory Christmas programs. Taught music Kindergarten through college.
Composer of liturgical music for choirs and organ.
Conductor and organist for EFGOC Conferences.
Church Music Institute registrar 1985, director 1989, 1990, 1991.
Developed the handbook REPERTOIRE FOR THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ORGANIST published by National Forum
Director St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Choir
Awards – 1990 Romanos Medallion for distinguished service at the local, diocesan, and national level and in 1998 received the Archdiocesan
Cross in Orlando, Florida. Member American Guild of Organists, MENC, Choristers Guild.
Participated in services for Patriarch Batholomew and Patriarch Demetrios.
Cathedral Organist for thirty-nine years- Fotini Nichols
Scholarship student and graduate Peabody Conservatory
Taught music in Baltimore County for three years and then thirty-four years in Prince George’s County, where she received her Masters Equivalency in education.
Honored as Outstanding Educator by American Legion, Delegates of Prince Georges County and the Delegates of the State of Maryland.
Presented with the Patriarch Athenagoras I Medal for Distinguished Service.
Organist and choir director St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Presenter at various educational and religious conferences and has composed both sacred and secular music.
Currently a member of American Guild of Organists, Maryland music educators, National Educators Association, board member of Philoptohos,
member of the Daughters of Penelope.
Serves as a volunteer at the White House in Washington, DC.
Stephanie Vakoutis – B.S., M.Ed., Towson State University. Served in Annunciation music department as director of the Junior Choir for 25 years. Teacher of vocal music at Roland Park Elementary/Middle School for seventeen years.
Cathedral Choirs -
Adult Choir
Junior Choir – [Sunday School Choir]
Byzantine Choir – [Men's Choir]
Kassiani Choir – [Women's Choir]
Recordings - 1965 Divine Liturgy [director Anna Gallos, Fr. George P. Gallos, celebrant-Lambryn Mavrikos organist] 1971 – JOURNEY TO PASCHA [director Georgia Tangires Fotini Nichols organist]
Romanos Medallion – prestigious award for outstanding contributions to the music of our church on a local, diocesan, and national level.
1980 Anna Gallos
1986 Father George P. Gallos
1990 Georgia Tangires
1992 Father Constantine Monios
Patriarch Athenagoras I Award – for outstanding local and diocesan contributions.
1998 Fotini Nichols
2006 Ann Sophocleus
2007 Gus Letras
Our gratitude for the support of the choir and the music of our church to Father Dean Moralis, the psaltai, the Parish Council and the Cathedral Congregation.
