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CHOIR & CHANTERS

Church Choir

The church's liturgical life includes our church choir that assists in the sacred services of the church throughout the year. Members give a very special gift to our church community. They offer their talents to God and help lead us in worship. Choir practice is every Sunday following Divine Liturgy.

Church Chanters

A distinct feature of Greek Orthodox worship is the music of Byzantine chant.  The Church's chanters (ψάλτης) execute this component of our liturgical worship, primarily during the Sunday morning service of Matins (also known as Orthros or Morning Prayer.)  They also chant the funeral services and memorial prayers for the departed, as well as most baptisms and weddings.

Protopsaltis:  George Papadopoulos / protopsaltis51@yahoo.gr

George has been serving as the Head Chanter for Ss Nicholas, Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Roseland, NJ since 2014.  He has been instrumental in raising the caliber of Byzantine Music and enhancing the worship experience.  George has accomplished many things throughout his career.  He has received diplomas from the Metropolis of Thessaloniki for Byzantine Music and Musical Teaching from the Faculty of Byzantine Music in the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki.  He has participated in many concerts in Greece and abroad as a full member of the Chanter's Body of Thessaloniki "Ioannis Damaskinos".  George has been a member of the Byzantine Choir "MAKEDONIA", under the direction of first chorister Charilaos Taliadoros.  He was also a member of the Byzantine Choir of the University of Macedonia under the Professor of the University, Antonio Aligiaski.  George's professional accomplishments include:  First Chorister at the Holy Church Kimisis tis Theotokou, Nea Syllata, Chalkidiki and at the Holy Church of Panagia Dexia, Thessaloniki.  He was a musical consultant and teacher at the Bysantine Choir of the University of Macedonia, Professor of Byzantine Music at the Musical High School of Ptolemaida.  George served as Head Chanter at St. Irene Chrysovalantou, Astoria, NY.

Choir Director:  Ryan Kiel

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Ireneus (Εá¼°ρηναá¿‘ος) Joseph Kiel, or often nicknamed ‘Ryan’, studied Music Education at Westminster Choir College of Rider University and John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. His instruments of study include Voice, Piano, and Organ, and his concentration was in Choral Music. Currently, Ryan is the District Supervisor for Greek Orthodox Church choirs in New Jersey for the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians (EFGOCM), which is the Music Ministry of the
Metropolis of New Jersey. He is also the Director of Choirs for the Metropolis’ annual Holy Cross Celebration held in Asbury Park. Ryan has been singing in his church choir since the age of seven and began accompanying his church choir via the organ at the age of fourteen. In the Greek Orthodox Church, Ryan has been a director/organist for over seven years.


Furthermore, he has taught general music in schools for five years for early childhood and elementary ages. For the past two years, however, Ryan has been a general classroom teacher at the elementary school level. He currently teaches first grade in Montclair, NJ. In addition, Ryan J. Kiel is a sought after choral conductor, professional tenor, ensemble and solo accompanist, and choral clinician. His workshop on “Assembling Awareness: Energizing the Choral Experience Through Innovative Body Learning” has been regarded by others as “a revolutionary choral experience” and “the vocal workshop I really needed”. Moreover, Ryan has performed professionally with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) under Maestra Xian Zheng, the Summit Chorale under Dr. Thomas Juneau, the Montclair State University Singers under Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, and the Westminster Schola Cantorum under Dr. James Jordan. He also has performed in a tour along the southern coast of France under Dr. Paul Head of the University of Delaware.

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