Stavros First

Hey all! Just wanted to hear your thoughts. A couple months ago I posted a YouTube short of my Appalachian setting of Psalm 102, and ever since then so many people have been asking for the full recording! As I’ve mentioned before, the production company went AWOL, so the only version I have right now is the audio I recorded on my phone. It sounds like the short, but there are a couple moments where you can hear applause in the background since it was a wedding and the couple was walking out :)

So what would you prefer: I release the full phone recording sometime after Christmas, or wait until I can record a proper studio version that’s Spotify-ready? (Probably late winter/early spring)

1 week ago | [YT] | 20

Stavros First

Today, as the world celebrates darkness, let's remember St. Marina the Great Martyr, who overcame the devil with the perfect love of Christ ☦️

1 month ago | [YT] | 142

Stavros First

🎶 Exciting news — I’m now offering private music lessons via Zoom!

If you’ve ever wanted to study composition, vocal technique, or Byzantine / Appalachian chant, I’m opening a few student spots this month.
I’m currently offering a special Founder’s Rate for my first five students.

Lessons are one-on-one and personalized — whether you’re preparing to sing in a choir, writing for film, or developing your own sound.

Apply for a lesson spot here: www.stavrosfirstcomposer.com/lessons

2 months ago | [YT] | 22

Stavros First

St. Gregory Palamas Monastery in Ohio - such a beautiful, peaceful place. The scent of grass and wildflowers drifts through the air, and soft golden light rests on the rolling hills. In the quiet, broken only by birdsong and the rustle of leaves, the monks’ noetic prayer rises with the wind. I highly recommend visiting if you ever have the chance ☦️

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4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 50

Stavros First

Just wrote a new piece for piano - go check it out! 🎵

4 months ago | [YT] | 2

Stavros First

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

5 months ago | [YT] | 111

Stavros First

Both The Cherubic Hymn and the Prayer of St. Ephraim are live on Spotify and other streaming services! Apologies for the delay :)

Cherubic Hymn -
Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/0oJwrfz68lzBZh91jrG6XR?si=d…
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/album/the-cherubic-hymn-appalac…

Prayer of St. Ephraim -
Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/2SctVsN5PScFX0Yp7oWvZP?si=a…
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/album/prayer-of-st-ephraim-appa…

5 months ago | [YT] | 23

Stavros First

Favorite Appalachian Orthodox tone so far? (Haven’t yet written anything in Tone 3 - mixolydian, like Byz. Pl. 4 - feel free to suggest any hymns you might like to hear in this tone!)

5 months ago | [YT] | 13

Stavros First

Cherubic Hymn Going Live at 7!
https://youtu.be/2a3v-xJgGNo?si=VycBt...

5 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 37

Stavros First

6 months ago | [YT] | 82