Byzantine chant has aided worship in the Byzantine Empire and the Orthodox faith since the fourth century. This sacred art form has since continued to accompany liturgical services in many Australian Greek Orthodox churches. Regular church attendance, however, is declining partly due to societal secularisation. Consequently, exposure of Byzantine chant in Australia is perhaps at a decline. Many Australian Greek Orthodox churches utilise bi-lingual services in attempts to mitigate attendance reductions from both migrant Greek generations and the increasing demographic of non-Greek-speaking laity. However, the process of adapting traditionally Greek chants into English is not publicly taught in Australia.
Providing documented English adaptations may encourage more members of the increasingly non-Greek-speaking faith to become chanters for their churches, thereby contributing to the continuation of Byzantine chant. Therefore, the following research question is asked: How might Papadikon chants be adapted to the English language with consideration of both chanter accessibility and stylistic elements of Byzantine music?
Providing opportunities to teach chant adaptation may encourage more Greek Orthodox Australians to adapt chants that are conducive to the unique musical and socio-cultural needs of their chanters and community. Therefore, the following research question is asked: How might the process of adapting Greek Byzantine chants to the English language be utilised as a point of reference and reflection for creating a curricular course plan for Greek-to-English Byzantine chant adaptation?
The research focuses on adaptations of the Papadikon melody type to compound upon previous adaptational findings from undergraduate research. A selection of Papadic chants shall be adapted to the English language in two contrasting methods, with the process being simultaneously reflected upon in a journal. Findings shall aim to contribute further academic knowledge to an under-researched field and provide detailed considerations for emerging adapters to apply to their own adaptational processes. Furthermore, the findings shall be incorporated into a proposed educational curriculum for teaching chant adaptation, in order to stylistically preserve and develop Byzantine chant in Australia.
About Research Seminar Series
Research seminars are presented by current staff, higher degree by research candidates and visiting academics.
The seminar series showcases the work of our higher degree by research candidates and provides valuable professional development opportunities for undergraduate and coursework students who are interested in research. Visiting scholars are regularly invited to address staff and students, and the seminars are open to the public.