12th Cretan Music Workshop
7-12 August 2022
Dear friends,We are pleased to announce the 12th "Μusic Workshop - Meronas 2022", which will be held from the 7th to the 12th of August 2022.This year's workshop will include the following lessons: Cretan lyra, Cretan lute, wind instruments, mandolin, violin, santouri, song and Cretan dances, as well as parallel activities.
Dimitris Sgouros: Cretan lyra
A small tribute to the lyra player of the village of Ano Meros Amari, Stino Sofiadaki.b. Selected songs from the discography of Kostas MountakisThe course will be aimed at students who are at an intermediate level and above and there will be no distinction between beginner and advanced classes.Nevertheless, if a beginner wants to participate and benefit as much as possible from the courses, he is more than welcome.There is the possibility of participation of students with a musical instrument of their own choice.
Dimitris Sideris: Cretan lute
What will be taught:
Accompaniment and solo interpretation techniques, the role of the instrument and the improvisation of the variations. Special emphasis on the musical form of the Syrtos dance and the urban songs of Crete. The formation of a Cretan lute music group.(There is the possibility of participation of "related" musical instruments)
George Zacharioudakis: Cretan wind instruments
The Wind Instruments of Crete
Interpretation of Cretan music and techniques of performing with Cretan wind instruments (Hammer – “Sfirothiabolo”, Mandoura, Ascomantoura). Theme and variations in Cretan music.Two sections will be created according to the level of the students (beginners and advanced). Although two groups of different levels will be created, all students will be able to attend both classes if they wish.(Possibility of participation of "related" musical instruments.)
Michalis Kontaxakis: Cretan Mandolin
Cretan Mandolin - Repertoire and technique
The Cretan mandolin seminar will concern students who are in the initial stage of contact with the instrument and wish to develop their technique and enrich their repertoire. It will also be of interest to advanced mandolin players who want to delve into the interpretation of the melodies of the Cretan repertoire. Regardless of the level, emphasis will be placed on issues related to improving the technique and quality of the sound. The basic body of selected melodies will be taught, as well as the variations that shape the "Cretan way of playing the mandolin". Musical score sheets will be handed out, for those who find it important as a tool, however in the seminar, knowledge of reading music is not necessary.
Stratis Skarakis: Violin of Western Crete
Introduction to the Kissamitic musical idiom
Learning musical compositions of the following types:• Syrta: "Haniotikos-first, Melisianos, 2nd Grabousianos, Kolimbarianos, Therissianos, Pyrgianos"• Pentozali: Selected turns• ‘The Rose’• Rizitiko: "From the tip of the edge"( “Apo tin akri ton akrio “)
Fanis Karousos: Santouri
The Santouri in the Cretan ensemble
• Ways of accompaniment.• Sounds and their properties.• Four- stringed instruments and their use in Cretan Music.• Melodic lines, variations and improvisation.• Study and analysis from a selected Cretan repertoire.
Maria Koti: Song
Songs and tunes of Crete, from the urban coastline to the hinterland and back again.
In the seminar we will study selected traditional songs and music of Crete from various areas of the island. From the urban songs, the urban music (tabachaniotika or amanedes or rebetokritika) that emerged as a kind of marriage of diverse influences and cultural osmosis on the north coast and in the ports of the island . Crete mainly due to its geographical location has always been and is a center of transition and a crossroad of cultures, which essentially influenced its music and songs. We will also study inland songs with special mention in Cretan syrtas, the songs of the mountainous areas of the island (eg through selected rizitika), the mantinades, the kontilies of Eastern Crete,the various musical idioms and paying special attention to each ethos and each style. Finally, we will refer separately to great performers-teachers of Cretan song from various parts of Crete, with special mention to the master pioneers and their modern followers.The seminar will also include technical exercises (breathing, warm-up, positioning) as well as interpretation elements.Our seminar is addressed to those who love singing and want to learn, not necessarily to professional singers or exclusively for musicians.
Giakoumakis Nikos - Vangela Katerina: Dance workshop
Cretan Dances - Local idioms
Syrto, Maleviziotis, Pentozali, Sousta, Cretan or Pidihtos (Jumping dance) (improvisation) Zervodexos, Brimianos, Xenombasaris or Manas, "O Agkaliastos tis Ierapetra", Prinianos and Vourgaris tou Krousta.* Emphasis will be placed on communication between the musician and dancer, with common lessons between the music and dance sections.(The seminar is aimed at beginners and advanced learners)
Parallel Activities
• Cooking: Experiential workshop with guidance from various housewives of the village
• Creative activities for children
