WHO WE ARE
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Federation Ministry is comprised of church musicians who serve in all capacities – adult choir singers, youth choir singers, directors, chanters, composers, organists, hierarchs and clergy.
With nearly 1,000 active adult and youth choir members in our Metropolis, we stay in touch with our members through our Regional Ambassadors, local Church Music Institutes, Metropolis wide conferences, our website, and regular e-mail news.
WHAT WE DO
We are dedicated to providing the best possible resources to our parishes to help them establish and sustain music programs for adults, youth, and chanters. We offer guidance in many areas to include:
Holding annual Conferences for worship, singing, education and fellowship.
Offering local Church Music Institutes (CMIs) to train church musicians.
Posting a variety of resources for music education, choir, chant, and youth music on our website.
Organizing choirs and youth choirs for special Metropolis and regional functions.
Promoting quality music of the Orthodox Church for adults and youth.
Providing information, resources and support to individuals and to parishes.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Ministry Chair
Kay Harkins
Spiritual Advisor
Fr. Michael Pallad
Senior Music Minister
Tikey Zes
Church Music Development Team Leader
Christopher Hondros
Events Team Co-Leaders
Liz Levy and Athena Anastos,
Ways and Means Team Leader
Sarah Gyurkovitz
Communications and Outreach Team Leader
Kiki Kyriakakis
Records and Archives Team Leader
Margarita Jakovas
Expanded Church Music Scholarships Available in 2020
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Federation Ministry is pleased to announce the 2020 Frank and Xenia Anton Desby Scholarships for Metropolis church musicians. A total of eight (8) scholarship awards of up to $500 each for candidates desiring to study singing, chanting, conducting, and continuing education in our Orthodox musical tradition.
Understanding that our parishes and individual church musicians may be facing significant financial strain in the wake of the current pandemic, the Metropolis Church Music Federation Ministry has been working to create ways to support and sustain church music in this extraordinary year, even as our choirs and larger chant groups must be limited in their participation in worship services.
As our musicians prepare to return to serve their parishes, the Church Music Ministry wants to make it possible for church musicians to be able to strengthen their skills and understanding by obtaining education and training in singing, chanting, and conducting in our musical tradition by offering them the opportunity to apply for the necessary funds to get the training and assistance they need at this time.
The 2019 winner of the Katherine Trapp Youth Musician Award is:
Ana Constantine, St. Spyridon San Diego
It all started for Ana with a wonderful Pappou, a professional musician who inspired his tiny granddaughter with such a great love of music that she began her musical career in elementary school. Having won a guitar at a family game night, she threw herself into learning the instrument, and in the fourth grade started her own musical band that has wowed audiences at music venues all over San Diego.
Now a vibrant young woman, she uses her musical gifts in service and love to her Greek Orthodox faith and community. An active participant in the Dance and Choral School, Ana regularly sings with the adult choir for Sunday liturgies, and has performed as a feature musician with the youth choir at FDF competitions, having added skill on the bouzouki to her guitar and singing excellence. She continues to study music, and has recently formed a new band with Villa Musica here in San Diego as well as becoming a member of the newly formed young adult choir, Livani. Ana remains a credit to her Pappou of blessed memory, her family, and all the church musicians in the St. Spyridon San Diego parish, who are proud of her in receiving this well-deserved award.
Winner of the 2019 George N. George Service Awards
Elaine Mackis, Annunciation Sacramento
For over 57 y
ars, this gifted soprano has given her talent and service to the glory of God in the Annunciation choir, through countless rehearsals, liturgies, feast days, concerts, and weddings. Although those in her choir and community see her as star, she has remained a steadfast and devoted model of quiet dependability and a generous mentor to other singers.
While still a teenager she met and fell in love with her fellow youth choir member, tenor George Mackis, with whom she has shared a life of faithful service to the choir. This devoted couple was most often seen as the first the singers to arrive for Sunday services and blessed many a concert and wedding with their harmonious duets.
During her time as standout singer in her Sacramento High School choir, Elaine was responsible for recruiting her school choir director, Mr. Bill Bobolis, to be the director of the Annunciation choir, which he has served for over 55 years. Through the years Elaine has been a regular participant in Federation conferences and CMIs, sharing friendship and encouragement with other church musicians, and was fortunate to meet George N. George himself at these events. The gift of Elaine’s beautiful voice and example of devotion to God in her service continue to be an inspiration to the Annunciation Choir.
Winner of the 2019 George N. George Service Award
Patricia Spire, St. Spyridon San Diego
Certainly, a choir dir
ector’s dream come true, Pat has given nearly two decades of love and service to the St. Spyridon San Diego Choir. Rarely ever missing a rehearsal or performance, she is an anchor of the soprano section, learning her part to perfection and encouraging her fellow singers. Need some music copied? Need risers for a concert? Food for a fellowship, help cleaning the loft, a shoulder to cry on? She’s your girl. Never seeking the spotlight, she’s the one to get things done behind the scenes, caring for the elderly and homebound, generously offering financial support, always remembering every birthday, special occasion, illness, or grief with a caring card or visit—truly an example of Christ’s love. God brought this faithful convert to Orthodox Christianity a long way from her birthplace in the woods of Maine to the sunny shores of San Diego, and her parish is thrilled that she has received this honor.
Our 2018 Conference hosted by St. Spyridon, San Diego
Singing praises to God – from the choir loft, chanter stand, congregation, or altar — is truly a blessed ministry! We thank the Lord for allowing us to serve Him as church musicians, and we pray for His help to carry out our ministry.