Copyright 2014, 2021 Andrew D. R. Kercher. Various English translations of an ancient Byzantine hymn for Eastern Orthodox Holy Week's Bridegroom Matins, sung by Andrew D. R. Kercher on April 15, 2014 as a test for my church choir ensemble at The Orthodox Church of St John the Russian, using various sources. I found these three translations interesting, so since the Eastern churches do everything in threes, I sang all three. I prefer the last.

Thy Bridal Chamber (Tōn Nymphōná Sou, Exapostalarion of the Bridegroom Matins)

4 part motet by Tomás Luis de Victoria (c. 1548 – 1611) from the O Magnum Mysterium Mass. Here I have recorded a total of 17 voice tracks. Copyright 2021 Andrew D. R. Kercher.

The text:
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
iacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Iesum Christum.
Alleluia!

English translation:
O great mystery, 
and wonderful sacrament, 
that animals should see the newborn Lord, 
lying in a manger! 
Blessed is the Virgin 
whose womb was deemed worthy to bear 
the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Alleluia!

With gratitude for the help from Corpus Christi Watershed practice videos. And Mr Ralph Enokian, my high school choir teacher who instilled a love of classical choral music.

Andrew Kercher

O Magnum Mysterium (Victoria)

A epithalamium in the Kievan Tone 5 version of the hymn “Dance of Isaiah,” sung at Orthodox Weddings (Holy Matrimony) and Archepiscopal ordinations of clergy (Holy Orders)

Rejoice O Isaiah (Kievan Tone 5 Troparion) with Ison/drone and harmony

A gift for Mom upon her repose January 4, 2023. I had begun singing this tribute to the late great Nat King Cole during Advent leading up to the Christmas holidays, and as my Mother lay dying, found myself singing it while caring for her. She was my greatest fan. 

Composed by Alfred Bryan (September 15, 1871 – April 1, 1958) and Larry Stock (December 4, 1896 - April 5, 1984).

A Cradle In Bethlehem

It's been a few cold and rainy days in June and it feels like April. Time for a tribute to the great Al Jolson.

Jolie Impersonation: April Showers In June

In memory of a friend who helped mentor me in Byzantine chant in Colorado Springs at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church between 2002-2006, +Andrawis Dabit, laid to rest today. May his memory be eternal. Rest in Peace, Andy and all who have fallen asleep in the Lord. I used to tease him when we were the two who showed up to assist Fr Dennis or Fr Stephen—because we were both known as Andy—"we're the A Team."

Memory Eternal: Greek, Arabic, English

A tribute to the late Pete Ham, may he rest in peace, and love lorn lonely guys who love nonetheless.

Day After Day

This Greek hymn is attributed to St Romanos the Melodist, who was basically a failure in his Byzantine Great Church. Until he received this beautiful kontakion by some miraculous inspiration for the Nativity liturgy in about the 5th century. I'll post the English version next.

I Parthenos Simeron

This Greek hymn translated to English is attributed to St Romanos the Melodist, who was basically a failure in his Byzantine Great Church. Until he received this beautiful kontakion by some miraculous inspiration for the Nativity liturgy in about the 5th century.

The Virgin Today

Kievan chant for Vespers, Psalm 140/141 LXX, 2nd tone. Vocals by Andrew Kercher for choral training as choir ensemble director at St John the Russian Orthodox Church, Ipswich, Massachusetts. This recording is copyrighted 2014 Andrew D. R. Kercher and posted here with permission.

Kievan Tone 2, Lord I Have Cried Unto Thee

Kievan chant for Vespers, Psalm 140/141LXX, 4th tone. Vocals by Andrew Kercher for choral training as choir ensemble director at St John the Russian Orthodox Church, Ipswich, Massachusetts. This recording is copyrighted 2014 Andrew D. R. Kercher and posted here with permission.

Kievan Tone 4, Lord I Have Cried Unto Thee

Kievan chant for Great Vespers Psalm 140/141 LXX, 5th tone. Vocals by Andrew Kercher for choral training as choir ensemble director at St John the Russian Orthodox Church, Ipswich, Massachusetts. This recording is copyrighted 2014 Andrew D. R. Kercher and posted here with permission.

Kievan Tone 5, Lord I Have Cried Unto Thee

1st Kathisma of Great Vespers, Blessed Is The Man (Psalm 1-3)

Vocals copyright 2013 Andrew D. R. Kercher. "O Gladsome Light" or "O Joyful Light," from an early Christian hymn, circa 150 A.D. Vocals by Andrew Kercher, 2013. For Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, Colorado Springs, and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Lincoln, Nebraska

Fos Ilaron (Greek, “O Gladsome Light”) Lower voice

Vocals copyright 2013 Andrew D. R. Kercher. "O Gladsome Light" or "O Joyful Light," from an early Christian hymn, circa 150 A.D. For Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, Colorado Springs, and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Fos Ilaron (Greek, “O Joyful Light”) Higher voice

Vocals copyright 2013 Andrew D. R. Kercher. "O Gladsome Light" or "O Joyful Light" is translated from the Greek "Fos Ilaron," an early Christian hymn, circa 150 A.D. For Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, Colorado Springs, and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Lincoln, Nebraska.

O Gladsome Light (From the Greek 2nd or 3rd c. hymn, Fos Ilaron)

Copyright 2013 Andrew D. R. Kercher. For Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, Colorado Springs, and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. For the Lord's Day, Troparion hymn of the resurrection. English interpretation of a Greek lyric. Vocals by Andrew Kercher.

Tone 3, Resurrection Troparion, Let all things in heaven & earth

Words and music by Ralph Carmichael, (1927-); 1969, Lexicon Music.
Acapella vocals arrangement and performance copyright Andrew D. R. Kercher, April 4, 2014. I recorded this in my parents' basement studying liturgical chant music and it reminded me this piece I was raised with in my Baptist youth, a nice rabbit trail, as I thought of the psalms, particularly the 23rd.

The New 23rd (Psalm 23), R. Carmichael

Ti Ipermaho is an ancient Orthodox Christian hymn said to have been composed at the deliverance of Constantinople from the Persians and Avars by a hurricane believed to be the miraculous intervention of the Mother of God on behalf of the central city and Church of pre-schism Christendom. It is also considered a national hymn of the Greeks sung at times such as on Independence Day which is also the Feast of the Annunciation to the Virgin (March 25) and especially on Fridays during Great Lent, as part of the larger Akathist Hymn. 

A traditional Greek Orthodox Chant, a hymn to the Theotokos, Godbearer and Mother of Christ God. Acapella vocals by Andrew D. R. Kercher, April 4, 2014.

Whatever scruples Protestant Christians might have with what the many in ignorance consider to be Mariolatry, it seems prudent they should at least commemorate the Champion Leader who said, "Be it done unto me according to Thy word," whose womanly courage brought into the world the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whose kingdom God is about the work of reuniting the heavens with fallen earth.

Copyright 2014 Andrew D. R. Kercher. Attributed to George of Pisidia, 7th c. deacon, sacristan, poet and archivist possibly under Ecumenical Patriarch Sergius.

Ti Ipermaho ("To Thee the Champion Leader")

From The Sound of Music, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Vocals by Andrew Kercher with a public domain x-minus pro composition. For vocal sampling only.

On February 7, I recorded this tribute to all the singers who made this popular, Christopher Plummer who died February 5, 2021, Charmian Carr who passed away September 17, 2016, and Bill Lee (d. November 15, 1980) whose voice was used in the 1965 film for Mr Plummer, and to the original stage Captain von Trapp on Broadway, Theodore Bikel (d. July 21, 2015).

Edelweiss (R. Rodgers & O. Hammerstein II)

I guess there are only jokes about THE GODFATHER being made into a musical. But if it were taken seriously, perhaps this might fit the show. 

Music by Carmine Coppola, Lyrics by John Bettis (1990). City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Paul Bateman (2001) for the 30th anniversary tribute recording for Silva America. 

This arrangement (with "The Immigrant" interlude by the composer,  rearranged by me), slight word changes in the last verse, and vocals by Andrew D. R. Kercher. For vocal sampling only.

Godfather III Love Theme: "Promise Me You'll Remember," w/“The Immigrant.” C. Coppola, J. Bettis

Known to family and old friends as “Andy,” he prefers his Christian name. Andrew received the Master of Education in arts instruction from Doane University in Lincoln, Nebraska, holds the Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio and graphic arts, and is a Bachelor of Arts in biblical literature, a lifelong Bible student and Christian disciple. Tonsured in the Eastern Orthodox Church a reader (anagnostis, or lector), he has written several hymns and served periodically as psaltis (cantor), small choir ensemble director, choir member, and worship leader in Orthodox, evangelical, and Anglican churches going on four decades. He began writing several religious poems and hymns in 1997 in the midst of an existential quest from his Baptist upbringing to the liturgical traditions of the ancient Christian faith. His interests in a variety of musical styles and periods, and his love of ethnic and indigenous cultural music expressions gives him a unique perspective on music, particularly as used in the American churches and pop culture of his own checkered story. He is an amateur autodidact who prefers assistance from trained or fellow amateur musicians. He resides in Massachusetts and is father of two adult children.

Andrew Kercher

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