Valamo Summer Choir is formed by experienced choristers who master the basics of Orthodox church singing. During the course, the choir practices together, develops in part singing, choral sound, and vocal production, and learns new aspects of Orthodox church music. The course culminates in singing the services (Vigil and Liturgy) for the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. During the course, the choir will also sing in some other monastery services and visit Lintula Convent. At the end of the course, the summer choir will also perform a small church music concert in the monastery's main church. Participants for the course are selected based on applications; link to the application form. The application period ends on March 1, 2027. Selection criteria include experience in Orthodox choir singing or similar, sight-reading ability, part-singing ability, and the balance of different voice parts (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) in the forming summer choir. A maximum of 15 participants will be accepted for the course. Instructor: M.Th., Musician (Master's level), Music Pedagogue (Bachelor's level) dir.cant. Varvara Merras-Häyrynen. The course receives support from the Orthodox Church of Finland. Special price. No other discounts. The language of instruction is Finnish.
Monday 1.6.
13.00 Arrival at the monastery and buffet lunch, accommodation possible from 16.00
14.00 Course opening and start of studies
15.15 Choir practice
17.15 Accommodation
Opportunity for self-funded dinner, as on other days as well
18.00 Ninth Hour, Vespers, Small Compline and pravilo in the main church
19.00 Principles of the Octoechos, review of melodic formulas
20.00 Evening meal
Tuesday 2.6.
06.00 Midnight Service, Matins and Liturgy in the main church
07.30 Monastery breakfast
09.30 Body care, Tuula Riikonen (30min)
10.00 Choir practice
11.15 Break
11.30 Choir practice
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Choir practice
15.30 Break
16.00 Choir practice
17.00 Body care, Tuula Riikonen (30min)
Opportunity for dinner, self-funded
18.00 Ninth Hour, Vespers, Small Compline and pravilo in the main church
19.30 Evening meal
Lakeside sauna
Wednesday 3.6.
06.00 Midnight Service and Matins, First Hour in the main church
07.30 Monastery breakfast
09.00 Igumen Mikael's lecture on Venerable John of Valamo
09.45 Choir practice
11.00 Break
11.15 Choir practice
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Choir practice
15.30 Departure to Lintula, where coffee (self-funded) and akathist at 17.00
18.00 Ninth Hour, Vespers, Small Compline and pravilo
19.30 Evening meal
Thursday 4.6.
06.00 Midnight Service, Matins and Liturgy in the main church
07.30 Monastery breakfast
09.15 Body care, Tuula Riikonen (30-45min)
10.00 Choir practice
11.00 Break
11.15 Choir practice
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Choir practice
Rest
17.00 Opportunity for dinner, self-funded
18.00 Vigil, choir sings
Evening meal
Sauna
Friday 5.6., commemoration day of Venerable Father John of Valamo
07.30 Monastery breakfast
09.00 Third Hour and Liturgy in the main church, choir sings
11.00 Lunch
Check-out by 12.00
12.00 Moleben to Venerable John of Valamo in the main church, choir sings
13.00 Concert moment (30–40 min) in the main church
