Music Education Leadership Initiative (MELI) 

Developed by the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, the Music Education Leadership Initiative (MELI) is a dynamic training program designed to strengthen the musical aspects of our services and foster deeper parish engagement. MELI offers flexible, on-demand learning across three distinct, audience-specific tracks.

 

Explore the Training Tracks

1. The Choir Track

Built for choir directors and singers looking to elevate their musical skills, refine their leadership, and build vibrant parish ministries.

Progressive 4-Level Structure: The program features four distinct levels, each consisting of 8-week asynchronous courses designed to promote long-term growth.

Curriculum Focus: Dive into eight critical topics, including understanding the liturgical guidebook, the choir's role in the Divine Liturgy, introductory conducting patterns, rehearsal planning, Greek and English diction, special hierarchical services, music selection, and building a sustainable parish ministry.

Interactive & Flexible: Enjoy engaging, interactive training that fits your schedule. Courses are ungraded, focusing instead on personal reflection and practical application.

2. The Youth Leadership Track

Designed for Sunday School teachers, youth groups, and dance troupes to easily facilitate meaningful music education for youth.

Bite-Sized Weekly Lessons: Short, 10-to-12-minute lessons aligned with regular services run from September through May to match the ecclesiastical year.

Multi-Age & Multi-Notation: Lessons span four distinct grade levels and feature dual-notation learning videos utilizing both Western notation (musical notes) and Byzantine notation (neumes).

Comprehensive Resources: Each weekly lesson includes an introductory video, a music learning video with guided pause points, a student handout, and a detailed Teacher’s Guide.

Empowered Teaching: Teacher guides offer practical vocal tips, sample feedback phrases to evaluate singing, and creative extension activities connecting the hymns to church life or modern culture.

3. The Clergy Track

Recognizing that Orthodox services are 90% sung, this track is uniquely tailored for priests, seminarians, and chanters to sing with confidence and lead their musical communities effectively.

Mobile-First Learning: Designed primarily for mobile phones, featuring quick, 5 to 10 minute modules that seamlessly fit into a busy pastoral schedule.

Zero Stress, High Support: Completely asynchronous with no graded homework or assignments. It utilizes a large library of examples and intuitive self-assessment tools.

Core Focus Areas:

Vocal Health - Instruction in vocal wellness and care to promote healthy, effective, and consistent liturgical singing.

Vocal Technique - Developing the vocal skills needed to sing the priest's liturgical parts with confidence, clarity, and endurance, while supporting clear, prayerful, and sustainable liturgical singing.

Music Ministry - Exploring the role, purpose, and leadership of music ministries in supporting the worship, spiritual life, and mission of the parish.

Hymnology - Learning the hymns, responses, and liturgical dialogues sung by the priest during the services of the Church.

Liturgizing - Guidance for clergy on working effectively with chanters, choir directors, and singers to foster prayerful, coordinated, and orderly worship.

Listening Examples - Audio examples demonstrating the interaction between the priest, choir, and chanter in the liturgical services of the Church.

Contact the Project Director:

Rachel Brashier, PhD MELI.project.director@gmail.com 

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