The 21st Annual Russian Orthodox Church Musicians’ Conference will be held October 8-12, 2008, in Albany, New York. The host parish will be the Nativity of the Mother of God Russian Orthodox Church.

Sessions will be held at the Holiday Inn - Wolf Rd, located near the central part of New York State's capital city, adjacent to the airport and within minutes of the church. The spectacular fall foliage is at its peak this time of year.

This year's ROCM conference, entitled "Your Church Choir (or Kliros), in Theory and Practice," is designed to provide an opportunity for Orthodox Church musicians (singers, conductors, readers) to further their rehearsal and ensemble skills and to address practical issues and their possible solutions through a "hands-on" approach.

Alternating rehearsals of large and small ensembles will provide a unique opportunity for participants to work through the musical and liturgical challenges that occur in this genre.

Attention will be given to the development of such musical skills as choral blending, sonorities, intonation, phrasing and voice building, and their application to Orthodox liturgical practice.

The objective of the ROCM annual conferences, sponsored by the Liturgical Music Commission of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), is to bring together singers and conductors and together to explore the wealth and majesty of Russian liturgical music through lectures, hands-on workshops, rehearsals, and divine services.

The conferences examine historical trends; explore the contributions of key figures in Russian sacred music; study, rehearse, and perform a wide range of sacred chant and composed music; and address questions of performance practice, musicianship, conducting, vocal technique, and the various practical issues facing today's directors and chanters.

The conferences culminate in the festive pontifical All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy sung by the participants.

Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, get to know like-minded people, and expand their liturgical repertoire.

Church musicians from all over the world attend these conferences, which have been held previously in Seattle, Toronto, New York, Montreal, San Francisco, Chicago, London (Ontario), and other major cities.

The conference will feature lecturers, coaches, and conductors from the United States and Europe. Choir directors, singers, and all those with an interest in Russian sacred choral music from all local Orthodox Churches and jurisdictions are welcome to attend and participate.

For more information and to register, visit the ROCM website.

My wife just found out that registration for the ROCM conference, which was to close on September 1, has been extended.

The new deadline for registration is September 10.