SingCon Mission Statement
The goal of SingCon is to advance the state and quality of church music in the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church (UGCC) in the English-speaking world, gathering cantors, choir directors, singers, clergy, and others interested in church singing to meet one another, network, share resources, discuss various issues, and—most importantly—to pray together, glorifying God. SingCon sees the traditional Byzantine liturgy and chant of the UGCC as essential sources of liturgical and spiritual renewal for Christians in the twenty-first century. Following the principles outlined by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky in his pastoral letter on church singing from 1941, SingCon seeks to successfully integrate congregational and choral singing, raising both to the highest standard.
A Short History of SingCon
A Short History of SingConThe Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church Singing Conference, lovingly referred to as SingCon, began as a response to needs in the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church in North America to bring people together to glorify God through the traditional liturgical worship of our Church. The goal was (and remains) to do so beautifully, in English, sharing with participants the experience and resources of the past, and enlivening our worship today, with hope for a renewal throughout our Church in the future.
The inaugural and first annual SingCon gathered over 100 people interested in church singing at Pokrova Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church and St. Josaphat Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Cathedral in Parma, Ohio (5–7 October 2018). The gathering was organized with the blessing of the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission of the UGCC, presided over by His Grace Bishop Benedict of Chicago, and hosted by His Grace Bishop Bohdan of Parma. The members of the first organizing committee included Larisa Cronin, Reader Ilya Galadza, Deacon Daniel Galadza, Roman Hurko, Deacon Cyril Kennedy, Father Joseph Matlak, and Melita Mudri-Zubacz. Cantors and choir directors had a chance to meet one another, network, share resources, discuss various issues, and—most importantly—to pray together. People attended from every corner of Canada and the United States, from almost every Eparchy of the UGCC in North America, with an even age distribution of participants from under 18 to over 60 and all ages in between. The conference also saw a high level of youth participation.
The schedule included daily Vespers, Panakhyda, a Town Hall discussion, hierarchical Vigil on Saturday evening, and hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, as well as workshops, rehearsals, fellowship, and keynote lectures. Audio and video recordings were prepared by Julian Hayda. All of these became part of the regular schedule of SingCon in subsequent years, continuing the enthusiasm, zeal, and large attendance of the first gathering.
The second annual SingCon gathered at St. Basil’s Seminary in Stamford, Connecticut (26–29 September 2019), hosted by His Grace Bishop Paul of Stamford and Fr. Bohdan Tymchyshyn, rector of St. Basil’s Seminary. Participants had a chance to visit the Stamford Seminary Museum and Library, sing under the direction of composer Roman Hurko, and hear a keynote lecture by cantor Joseph Roll about the history of liturgical music at the Stamford Seminary.
The SingCon scheduled for October 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Borys and the Philadelphia Archeparchy, had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, various initiatives were organized online, such as the weekly "Name That Tone" webinar, and smaller gatherings took place at St. Elias Church in Brampton, Ontario.
In 2023, gatherings were able to continue with the third annual SingCon in Welland, Ontario, hosted by St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church (28 September–1 October 2023) and the pastor, Fr. Jaroslaw Lazoryk. Professor Brian Butcher, ecumenical relations secretary for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, gave a stimulating talk addressing the intersection between the psychology and sociology of singing within our own experience of worship and understanding of beauty.
In 2024, we were able to gather for the fourth annual SingCon at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Calgary, Alberta (19–22 September 2024), hosted by Fr. Roman Planchak and the parishioners. Over 100 participants, this time mainly from Western Canada, gathered to pray and learn more about their church singing tradition. Thanks to the sponsorship of various organizations in the Edmonton Eparchy, draft books, resources, and bags were printed for the use of participants. Presvytera Melita Mudri-Zubacz, director of music at Fresno Pacific University, gave the keynote lecture, entitled “Aural Icons: Unlocking the Transformative Power of Liturgical Music.” Bishop Bohdan of Parma and Reader Ilya Galadza were unable to attend SingCon, because of the the funeral of the newly-reposed Bishop Basil (Losten) in Stamford; since Fr Joseph Matlak was also unable to attend, the main services at SingCon were presided over by Hieromonk Herman.
In preparation for the fourth gathering, the SingCon Organizing Committee commissioned Oleksiy Chekal to design the new SingCon logos that now adorn the website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, SoundCloud), and booklets, succeeding the previous logos and designs by Anastasia Galadza and Ivanka Galadza.
As we continue to gather, we ask God to guide our work of praising Him in song and helping us to organize future gatherings, summer schools, publications, recordings, and videos, to the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.