SingCon 2025 Unites Church Musicians in Sacred Song and Fellowship
From October 23–26, 2025, the parish of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, hosted SingCon 2025, an annual gathering for cantors, choristers, choir directors, clergy, and those passionate about the musical heritage of the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church. Drawing over 100 cantors and singers from all over North America, this year’s SingCon, the fifth since 2018 and the first to be held in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, was a truly inter-eparchial and international event. Participants came from Canada, the United States, and eparchies in Europe, and included more than 15 clergy and faithful from the Eparchy of Edmonton.
A Weekend of Music, Prayer, and Learning
The four-day conference featured a rich program: workshops on liturgical music and vocal techniques, mass choir rehearsals, spiritual lectures, and a series of divine services. From the first evening’s Vespers and fellowship over dinner, attendees experienced both practical instruction and uplifting prayer.
The second day began with Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Archbishop Borys Gudziak with participating clergy and singers. Morning services set a reverent tone, followed by a welcoming breakfast at Assumption Catholic School. Workshops held throughout the day allowed participants to deepen their musical and liturgical knowledge, capped off by Vespers, dinner, and a public lecture by Hieromonk Herman (Majkrzak).
The third day continued with a Panakhyda with prayers for departed cantors and faithful, more workshops and rehearsals, and a Town Hall session moderated by Larissa Galadza, with a panel including Archbishop Borys and Bishop Bohdan Danylo, as well as three members of the SingCon committee: Deacon Daniel Galadza, Reader Ilya Galadza, and Melita Mudri-Zubacz. During this Town Hall, participants learned more about the important partnership between the work of SingCon and the Archpriest Roman Galadza Legacy Fund, including in efforts to foster ongoing cantor-training in the future. Meals served by parishioners, teachers, and religious sisters fostered ongoing fellowship. Saturday concluded with a three-hour Vigil, which filled the church with voices in prayer, anticipation growing for Sunday’s Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
A Celebration of Sacred Tradition and Community
On Sunday, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated amid incense, stained glass, beautiful icons, and the harmonious singing of participants, clergy, and parishioners, a true testament to the living tradition of church music. The hospitality of Assumption parishioners and Assumption Catholic School, the presence of sisters and clergy, and the joyful community spirit left a lasting impression.
Eparchial Community Joins in Song
The Edmonton Eparchy is proud to count several of its faithful as members of the SingCon Organizing Committee: Deacon Cyril Kennedy, Damein Zakordonski, and Namisha Hlus. Having experienced SingCon in Calgary in 2024, a number of clergy and faithful from Edmonton and Calgary joined the other participants this year. Many of these Edmonton Eparchy participants received financial support from their parishes, which was matched by a generous donation from the Eparchial Pastoral Centre that helped defray the cost of travel and registration.
As SingCon 2025 concluded, thanks were extended to organizers, the host parish, and everyone who made this inspiring gathering possible. The conference continues to inspire church musicians and leaders to elevate the sacred art of singing and to foster a deeper connection in worship across our parishes.
Details from the event provided by Fr. Ivan Turyk. Photos courtesy of SingCon and Andrea Leader.