Teaching chant is a particular challenge when addressing students with residual vision, as musical notation, oral tradition and the demands of church music are often not adapted to their needs. This paper explores the potential for transforming the teaching of chant through inclusive methods and good practice, focusing on contemporary pedagogical approaches that allow for the active participation of students with visual impairments.

The paper is based on a) a literature review of relevant research and approaches in music education for music students with visual disabilities, b) case studies with analysis of educational programs and methods, which highlight successful educational practices, c) empirical research with data collection from the application of differentiated teaching methods in an educational environment of teaching chant to students with visual impairments in the Integration Department of the Music School of Thessaloniki and d) qualitative research on the use of differentiated teaching methods in the educational environment of chant teaching for students with visual impairments in the Music School of Thessaloniki and e) the use of differentiated teaching methods in the educational environment of the Music School of Thessaloniki. In addition, tools such as the use of digital applications for the transcription of Byzantine music texts, the adaptation of the repertoire through acoustic and audiovisual techniques, and the use of collaborative learning are analyzed.

The results of the study show that the integration of multisensory approaches, the use of audio sources, large print characters, tactile aids and the re-framing of teaching with technological resources contribute to the equal access of students with residual vision to the learning of chant. The paper concludes with suggestions for enhancing accessibility in church music education, highlighting the importance of differentiated pedagogy and inclusive culture in the teaching of the art of singing.

• Inclusion, marginalization, bullying and exclusion
• Music in special education
• Digital environment and music Education

Fr Theodoros Tsampatzidis

Protopresbyter Fr. Theodoros Tsampatzidis was born in Kalamaria.  He is a graduate of the Ecclesiastical Academy of Thessaloniki, Special Music Educator and Doctor of Musicology of the Ionian University with research in the field of tactile and digital recording systems for teaching Byzantine music to visually impaired students.  She completed her postgraduate studies with distinction at the Middlesex University in special education and music education as a scholar of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. He is a permanent music teacher at the Music School of Thessaloniki. Married parish priest, General Manager of the Prokopio Multipurpose Centre of the Holy Metropolis of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Director of the Youth Choir and Orchestra and Camps Manager. At the same time, he composes music, conducts and presents a series of original concerts and recordings in Greece and abroad. He collaborates as a Special Scientist with the Institute of Educational Policy (Music School Curricula, Introductory Training of Teachers in Special Education, New Music Curricula) and with the Foundation for Pastoral Training of the Archdiocese of Athens. He was awarded a music composition prize by the "Delphic Amphictyony" Association.  He has received Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Education and National Awards for the implementation of European eTwinning Projects. Finally, he participates as a speaker in a series of conferences in Greece and abroad, publishing a series of scientific articles in reputable journals.

Georgios Α. Patronas 

Assistant Professor at the Department of Music Science and Art of the University of Macedonia, with the subject "Interpretation - Performance - Teaching of Psaltic Art". He teaches in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Program of Studies, "Music Sciences and Arts" at the University of Macedonia. He is a Music Educator, Chant Performer and Researcher. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies abroad in the specialization of Music Pedagogy and Music Teaching in Piano and Ensemble Conducting. He completed his doctoral studies at the University of Macedonia, and postdoctoral work in the field of Byzantine Music Teaching and in the Interpretation and Performance of Chant. Additional special studies were carried out in "Theory of Music Learning and Teaching". He is a member of the Poetics Workshop of the Department of Music Science and Art of the University of Macedonia. He is Principal Violinist of the Holy Church of St. Therapontos  in Thessaloniki, Chorus Master of the Byzantine Dance "Evdromountes" and the Women's Byzantine Dance "Evneanides", Artistic Director of the Music Workshop of St. Therapontos K. Toumba, Thessaloniki.  He is also the Artistic Director of the Workshop of the Greek Music Workshop of St. Therapontos of Thessaloniki and the Orchestra of Secular Greek Music, a member of the scientific committee and artistic director of the Byzantine Thessaloniki Artists' Association (AMKE Byzantine Thessaloniki).