1	The School of Ecclesiastic Music Mount Lebanon
2	Byzantine Music Through the Ages Strictly speaking, Byzantine music is the medieval sacred chant of Christian Churches following the Orthodox rite. This tradition developed in Byzantium since the establishment of its capital, Constantinople in 330 AD until its fall in 1453. It evolved in the early Christian cities of Alexandria, Antioch and Ephesus. Byzantine chant manuscripts date back to the ninth century. Our knowledge of the older period stems from Church service books Typika, patristic writings and medieval histories. The function of music in Byzantine worship bred a highly conservative attitude to musical composition, and stabilized the melodic tradition of certain hymns. Ideas of originality and free invention never existed in early Byzantine times. Embellishments of earlier melodies in a highly ornamental style began with the work of the so-called Maestros “masters” in the 14^th century.
3	The Reform of Music Notations Chrysanthos of Madytos (ca. 1770-1846), Gregory the Protopsaltis, and Chourmouzios the Archivist were responsible for a much needed reform of the notation of Greek ecclesiastical music. Their work consisted of simplifying the complex musical symbols. Their work is a landmark in the history of Greek Church music, since it introduced the system of neo-Byzantine music notation, upon which are based the present-day chants of the Greek Orthodox Church. This simplification attracted many believers to study the new Byzantine notation.
4	SEM’s Philosophy & Mission In our technological and entertaining era, the School of Ecclesiastic Music - SEM in Mount Lebanon finds in the Byzantine music an exceptionally important means to attract the youth of the third millennium to church. SEM closely collaborates with the officials of the Byzantine Music Department at the Lebanese National Conservatory. Such collaboration will ensure that efforts to spread the Byzantine music all converge in the same direction. To revive the old Byzantine music, we should undeniably base our endeavors on sound knowledge of our heritage. SEM believes that, when professionally taught, studied and practiced, Byzantine music can attract young people to church, to chant God’s word and spread it to the world. SEM strongly emphasizes the importance of renewal of the Byzantine music, based on the sound academic foundations of our past. The real beauty and spirituality of Byzantine music can only be performed by professionally trained men and women, so that glory can be offered to our Lord.
5	SEM’s Achievements To date Since its establishment in early 1997, SEM has successfully: 1. Introduced several revised and renewed academic Byzantine music books and reference methodologies, which gave revolutionary results among students, and came to replace the archaic curricula dating back to 1814. 2. In its two locations at Mekalles and Jal el Deeb, SEM counts today more than 200 students formed in such an academic methodology that nurtures in them a critical sense of research. 3. SEM ‘s choir counts today more than a 100 professional chanters coming from different walks of life. 4. Successful recordings of CDs and cassettes containing hymns and chants of various liturgical services, allowing believers to enjoy the beauty of the chants and to praise the Lord as and when they please.
6	Our Recordings
7	… Further Achievements 5. SEM attracted and continues to attract dynamic, energetic, young and young at heart believers to the beauty and rules of Byzantine music. They all chant the glory of our Lord in their parishes and their communities. 6. Our choir recorded several national and international TV concerts, and has toured various Antiochian and Greek cities to give many an acclaimed concert. 7. In June 2000, our chanters represented the Antiochian churches and the Arabophone churches in the Concert Hall in Athens - Greece, for the occasion of the Millennium. The 2,500 audience enthusiastically applauded them as they chanted the Lord’s glory. The program performed in this very successful event encompassed Byzantine hymns chanted in an Antiochian style from the Passion and Easter services.
8	Diploma Awarded in Athens
9	The Mount Lebanon Byzantine Orthodox Choir
10	A Final Word … The support of believers and friends make our dreams limitless. We have all the capacities and God’s helping hand, and wish not to settle for less. With your support, we can spread God’s word in enchanting Byzantine music.