The Liturgical Arts Academy, a division of the Orthodox Christian Academy of Atlanta, has continued to grow and develop its program with another successful event this year. Offering intensive training in Byzantine Chant and Iconography, TLAA is held every year at the Metropolis of Atlanta Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, SC during the month of August.
Thirty-seven chanters from across the US and Canada came to learn and improve their skills in Byzantine chant. The chant classes have broad appeal to many who are actively chanting in their parishes in both English and Greek. The beginning students receive an intensive overview of Byzantine notation; the intermediate students improve their skills with ornamentation and modulations; while the advanced chanters have a master class in more difficult repertoire such as cherubic and Communion hymns. Each day begins at 7:00 am with full Matins in the magnificent Panagia Chapel followed by 5 to 6 hours of class instruction, and ends with Vespers. A new addition this year was a vigil on Wednesday evening, allowing students to experience an event they may not have had previous exposure to. Delicious meals and evening discussions, coupled with the opportunity to worship and chant with skilled psaltes, round out the overall immersion in what some of the chant students call “life-changing”. The Academy’s in-person event is an excellent companion to online study of Byzantine chant.
The Iconography Workshop is held in the beautiful St. Gregory Hall downstairs in the Panagia Chapel. This year, 16 iconography students completed a gold gilded icon of the Crucifixion of our Lord. A new development this year was the ability for students to choose a level of detail of the icon to complete, which allowed their instruction to be tailored to their level of experience. Beginning with a gessoed panel, students learn the history of iconography and the skills of line drawing, gold gilding, color mixing and painting according to traditional methods, which include development of form from dark to light. The artists especially enjoy the rhythm of prayer, work, and fellowship during the week - and the opportunity to worship amidst the heavenly chanting in the acoustically grand Panagia Church.
The Liturgical Arts Academy is especially grateful for a grant from The Renaissance Fund. Their support helps subsidize the registration costs to students, who then take their learning back as a gift to their parishes. If you would like to donate to The Liturgical Arts Academy to support continuing education in chant and iconography, please visit our website below.
TLAA is for men and women 18 and older, and welcomes people of all jurisdictions and traditions. To learn more about our program, patron, and instructors, please visit the websites listed below.