How to become a church choir director?

Regent means “ruling” in Latin. This is the name given to the leaders (conductors) of church choirs in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Currently, the demand for musicians capable of organizing or leading an already created church choir (choir) is very high. This is explained by the constant increase in the number of operating churches, parishes and dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. This article contains complete information on how to become a regent.

Church obedience

You can get into a church choir only with the blessing of the parish priest or the bishop heading the diocese (metropolis).

The regent, permanent choristers and charter director are paid a salary. Beginning choristers do not receive payment. Since the regent is responsible for the choir, all organizational issues are decided by him.

Regent’s responsibilities:

• preparation for worship,
• choice of repertoire,
• conducting rehearsals (1-3 times a week),
• compiling a music archive,
• determination of the number and composition of the choir on weekdays and Sundays,
• distribution of parties,
• conducting during worship services,
• preparation for concert performances, etc.

If possible, a charter member is appointed to assist the regent. He is directly responsible for preparing the choir for daily church services, and in the absence of the regent he leads the choir.

How to become a regent?

The staff of any large church choir currently always includes professional musicians:

• graduates of the choral or conducting department of the university,
• students and teachers of a music college or music school,
• soloists, musicians, actors of philharmonic societies, theaters, etc.

However, due to the specific nature of singing in the choir, a secular musician cannot lead a church choir. This requires appropriate training and experience in the choir for at least 2-5 years.

The specialty “Church Choir Director” can be obtained while studying at regent (singing) schools (departments, courses). Below is a list of the most prominent educational institutions that train future regents.

Admission requirements

• Having a musical education, the ability to read music and sight sing are not mandatory, but highly desirable conditions for enrollment. In some educational institutions this is a mandatory criterion (see table). In any case, it is necessary to prepare for an audition that will determine the candidate’s musical abilities.
• A priest’s recommendation is required. Sometimes you can receive a blessing from a priest on the spot.
• In almost all theological educational institutions, upon admission it is necessary to undergo an interview, during which knowledge of basic Orthodox prayers and the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) is confirmed.
• Ability to read the Church Slavonic language, in which the vast majority of liturgical books are compiled.
• Priority for admission is given to singers, psalm-readers, and clergymen with choir obedience from 1 year.
• Certificate (diploma) of education (not lower than full secondary).
• Ability to write a presentation correctly.
• Upon admission to some educational institutions, applicants are required to pass a conducting exam.

Training

The training time for psalmists (readers) and singers is usually 1 year or more. The training of regents takes at least 2 years.

During their studies, future regents receive both musical and spiritual education. In 2-4 years it is necessary to master the knowledge of church canons, liturgics, church life, liturgical regulations, and the Church Slavonic language.

The regency training program includes both general musical subjects and church disciplines (singing and general):

• church singing,
• everyday life of church singing of the Russian Orthodox Church,
• history of Russian sacred music,
• liturgy,
• catechism,
• liturgical regulations,
• comparative Theology,
• basics of Church Slavonic literacy,
• fundamentals of Orthodox doctrine,
• Bible story,
• Old and New Testament,
• solfeggio,
• harmony,
• conducting,
• music theory,
• reading choral scores,
• choreography,
• piano,
• arrangement

During their studies, cadets undergo mandatory liturgical practice in the choir in the churches of the Russian Orthodox Church.

 Russian educational institutions,

where choirmasters and choristers are trained

The data on such educational institutions is clearly presented in the table – SEE TABLE