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On September 11-14, 2020, the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, the music arm of the Archdiocese, convened its Annual Meeting via Zoom. Nicholas (Nick) Chimitris was elected Chairman of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians during this meeting. Nick is also serving his ninth term as the President of Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians of the Chicago Metropolis.

Nick began his work in the music ministry of our Holy Orthodox Church at the age of 13 when be joined the Junior Choir at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Gary, Indiana.  He soon became the church organist, a position he held until he left for college.  While at Butler University College of Pharmacy in Indianapolis, Indiana, Nick joined the choir of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  Upon his college graduation, Nick returned to his home in Crown Point, Indiana.  He was soon appointed the choir director at the new Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana.  Nick has been a choir director for 40 years, 35 at his home parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen and the last 5 years at his adopted parish of St. Demetrios in Hammond, Indiana where he leads a choir of over 50 musicians.  Nick and his choirs have been invited twice by MIDAMERICA PRODUCTIONS and Maestro Peter Tiboris to perform at Carnegie Hall and most recently to perform in the upcoming production of the Eleni Oratorio.

Nick first became involved with his Federation and the National Forum co-chairing the 1979  Midwest/ Mideast Federations’ joint conference held in Merrillville/Valparaiso, IN where much of the National Forum organizational framework was set. He chaired two additional conferences held in Merrillville, IN. Nick was elected to the Federation board in 1981 and elected president at the 1982 conference. Under Nick’s presidency the Federation has developed and implemented many of the innovative programs and initiatives which are still in place today and have earned the Chicago Federation national acclaim.

Nick has previously directed the choir at the Chicago Federation annual conference Hierarchical Liturgy and will be the director once again at the upcoming conference.  He has directed numerous area rehearsals preparing the choirs for the various annual conference Hierarchical Liturgies.  Nick has also directed a number of “Flash Choir” events since that program’s inception in which the Federation choir is invited to sing at the Divine Liturgy at churches that would like to start a choir or have small choirs in need of growth.  He has directed various concerts with both the Merrillville and Hammond choirs and most recently a joint Federation choir at the Diamond Anniversary Concert at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, Illinois.  Nick has also arranged and composed various liturgical pieces, many of which have been sung at conference liturgies.  Nick was an accomplished violinist during his school years.

Nick was awarded the Patriarch Athenagoras Medal in 2003 by the National Forum for his dedicated work in the Chicago Metropolis. He has also received the Archbishop Iakovos Distinguished Service Award in 2018.  He has been recognized for his services to the church and church music ministry by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of blessed memory, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael and His Eminence Archbishop Emeritus Demetrios.

Nick is married to his wife of 40 years, Christine. Chris and Nick have two children, Katie 28 and Stephen 23. Nick is a pharmacist and has been in practice for over 42 years.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES


Orthodox Observer News: 44th Annual Meeting of Church Musicians Held Virtually – New National Chairman Elected