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SYRIAC MUSIC INSTITUTE

Founded in 2007, the Syriac Music Institute (SMI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educational and charitable endeavors, recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. SMI stands as one of the foremost institutions committed to preserving, promoting, and advancing the ancient and contemporary musical traditions of Eastern Christianity, with a particular focus on Syriac sacred music—a tradition deeply rooted in the ancient Aramaic dialect of Syriac, dating back to the 4th century.

SMI’s mission is to safeguard this invaluable heritage from the risk of extinction, especially in light of the persecution and displacement faced by Syriac-speaking communities in their historical homelands—Southeast Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. These regions have long been the heartlands of the Syriac Christian tradition, and as many Syriac Christians have emigrated to Western countries in pursuit of religious freedom, the responsibility to preserve their cultural identity and heritage has never been greater.

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Zamar 2

Zamar: A Dedicated Forum for Syriac Musicology

"Zamar" is an e-mail discussion group of the Syriac Music Institute (SMI) dedicated to the study, practice, and appreciation of Syriac musicology. It serves as a valuable meeting point for individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering scholarly exchange, practical insights, and thoughtful engagement within the field.

Through Zamar, practitioners, musicians, vocalists, clergy, and choir leaders are able to connect, share news, discuss events, collaborate on projects, and explore emerging opportunities. The Moderating Team works to maintain a respectful, focused, and enriching environment that encourages meaningful dialogue among its members.

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Subscription to Zamar is free. Click here to join and connect with others who are passionate about Syriac musicology. For additional information, please visit the Zamar group home page.

The Syriac Music Institute remains grateful for the continued participation and contributions of the Zamar community, which play an important role in preserving and promoting the Syriac musical tradition.

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This is the first official and complete hymnal according to the rite of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. The Hymnal provides chants from various Syriac chant traditions that have the strongest potential value and usefulness to the Syriac community. All hymns contained in this hymnal have been prepared according to the liturgical and modal cycles of the liturgical year to suit the theme and mode of every given occasion. This organization of chants will reinforce the importance of the doctrine of Syriac Christians and emphasize their theological heritage as well as the importance of order in worship. The entire collection of hymns found in this hymnal are transcribed into musical notation system (for music readers), English translation (to understand theological reasoning behind each hymn), Latin transliteration (for non-Syriac readers), and Syriac text (for Syriac readers). The Syriac Hymnal comes with a hard cover, leather with gold foil, and displays standard features like many Western hymnals used in other Christian denominations.

The Syriac Hymnal is the first official and comprehensive hymnal according to the rite of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. It brings together key chants from the Syriac tradition, carefully organized according to the liturgical year and modal cycles.

Each hymn is presented in multiple formats, including musical notation, Syriac text, Latin transliteration, and English, Arabic, and Swedish translations, making it accessible to both scholars and practitioners.

The hymnal is available in a premium hardcover edition with leather binding and gold foil detailing.

Purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/Syriac-Hymnal-Gabriel-Aydin/dp/0692885064/

PORTFOLIO

Visit Portfolio page to see the list of projects and publications.

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Aims & Objectives

Visit SMI's Aims and Objectives page

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