{"id":446747,"date":"2023-10-12T15:27:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T12:27:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=446747"},"modified":"2023-10-12T15:27:57","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T12:27:57","slug":"children-have-a-higher-interest-in-studying-byzantine-music-a-significant-benefit-for-romanias-chant-stands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/children-have-a-higher-interest-in-studying-byzantine-music-a-significant-benefit-for-romanias-chant-stands\/","title":{"rendered":"Children have a higher interest in studying Byzantine music: A significant benefit for Romania\u2019s chant stands"},"content":{"rendered":"

The effort required to learn Byzantine music cultivates a student’s spiritual and cultural development. The conductor of a newly formed children’s Byzantine choir told Basilica.ro that the increasing number of children approaching the chanters at the church stand or in a structured study setting is a significant improvement.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The declaration of 2023 as the Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters in the Romanian Patriarchate has increased musical activity in parishes and beyond. The organisation of new conferences and festivals, seminars, and Byzantine music courses piqued the interest of the youthful public.<\/p>\n

Tronos Junior and Mini Byzantion are two eloquent examples that become nurseries of future church chanters.<\/p>\n

Tronos Junior<\/h1>\n

Archdeacon Mihail Buc\u0103, founder and conductor of the internationally acclaimed Tronos Choir of the Romanian Patriarchate, launched Tronos Junior in January 2023 in Bucharest.<\/p>\n

\u201cTronos Junior was founded with the intention of following the old tradition that existed in the Church before communism, which was to raise chanters at a very young age, starting from 5-7 years old. Through a minimal but consistent presence at the chant stand, the chanters were formed easily and thus acquired a stable experience,\u201d explained the 27-year-old Ioan Balaban, who is in charge of forming children in the mysteries of Byzantine music.<\/p>\n

The initiative began with 100 students in January. Thirty children were added in May, followed by another 40 in September.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see their consistency and perseverance as a significant benefit for chant stands in Romania. They are very enthusiastic and dedicated,\u201d Ioan Balaban said.<\/p>\n

Byzantine music classes are conducted with all students from Monday to Saturday. Based on the lessons, members are chosen for the primary Tronos Junior choir, which has distinct Sunday evening rehearsals.<\/p>\n

Recently, members of Tronos Junior performed alongside Tronos Choir and Ribale Wehb\u00e9 from Lebanon at a benefit concert for the reconstruction of Turnu Monastery. The students are currently preparing Christmas melodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that many children rehearse at home and spend seven hours learning certain hymns tells me that we have future great chanters in front of us,\u201d the leader of Tronos Junior noted.<\/p>\n