Choir

Our Mission

Worship is the first vocation of humanity. Every time we lift our voices, we participate with the angels in offering glory and thanksgiving to God, echoing the song of heaven. In the Syriac tradition, choirs arose through the genius of St. Ephrem the Syrian. His hymns were sung to keep the faithful in right belief, to teach them how to adore God, and to steady their hearts in fidelity. St. Ephrem’s Choir carries that same torch today, guiding our parish into prayer through the beauty of Orthodox hymnography.

Why We Sing

• • Preserve the timeless Syriac, Malayalam, and English hymnody of the Church
• • Lead the faithful in full participation during the Holy Qurbana and sacramental services
• • Encourage the community to learn theology through music—the hymns we sing are sermons set to melody

How We Serve the Parish

• • Support feast days, retreats, and processions with fitting chants and responses
• • Offer sung intercessions at baptisms, weddings, funerals, and memorial services
• • Prepare seasonal repertoires so the congregation can experience the rhythm of the liturgical year
• • Partner with Sunday School and youth ministries to nurture the next generation of church musicians

Formation & Training

• • Weekly rehearsals focus on pitch, rhythm, diction, and the art of singing in community
• • Workshops on Syriac pronunciation and liturgical structure help singers pray with understanding
• • Experienced leaders mentor new voices, teaching harmonies, antiphons, and responsive formats
• • Sheet music, transliterations, and demo recordings are shared so members can practice at home

Join the Choir

Whether you are a seasoned cantor or simply curious, there is room for you in St. Ephrem’s Choir. Rehearsals are held weekly, and we invite youth and adults alike to grow in the love of Christ through sacred song.

Contact: choir@sgoci.org