15th Cretan Music Workshop
Cretan Music Workshop
15th Meronas Μusic Workshop
Dear friends,
We are pleased to announce the 15th "Μusic Workshop - Meronas 2025", which will be held from the 3rd to the 8th of August 2025.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
Dimitris Sgouros teaches Dimitris Sgouros, as well as selected songs from Psaronikos' discography
The lesson will be for students who are at an intermediate and advanced level and there will be no beginner classes. This means that the student should have a certain experience on the instrument and be able to perform with the help of the teacher the musical phrases-variations and tunes that will be demonstrated. It goes without saying that wherever and whenever more help is needed, it will be provided.
However, if anyone who is at an early stage wants to participate and benefit as much as they can from the course, they are welcome.
Possibility for students to participate with a musical instrument of their 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
In Crete, the mandolin has, not without reason, the role of the favorite instrument of the party. Over the last forty-five years, through Cretan discography, it has become known to the general public of the island. Recordings define the repertoire and the way of playing what we today call "Cretan mandolin".
The seminar will teach favorite pieces from this repertoire. Pieces that inspire mandolinists and revelers and continue to keep the flame of the mandolin on the island warm.
The aim is for students to acquire melodic motifs and stylistic references from the deepest roots of the Cretan tradition, while at the same time utilizing a wide range of references. The Cretan mandolin seminar is aimed at students who are at an intermediate level and above.
Stratis Skarakis: Violin of Western Crete
Learning melodies
▪︎Chaniotikos-protos, Lousakianos (syrta)
▪︎Balambianos, Kolimparianos, Vorias (syrta)
▪︎Pentozali selected verses (Pyrrhichio)
▪︎Yasemaki
Metric Education
▪︎Analysis of musical measures
▪︎Explanation of the connection between dance and melody. *Practical examples
History - Folklore *references
Fanis Karousos: Santouri
The Santouri in the Cretan ensemble
In this workshop we will work on making series of syrtas from eastern and western Crete, jumping dances, and Tabachan music motifs.
This year we will give a special emphasis on accompaniment as well as on the analysis of melody and forms,
In addition to the repertoire, we will also work with exercises in musical hearing and perception, and study of improvisation with and without rhythm, At the same time we will learn about the basic function of the tetrachords and how they help us in our musical perception,
Finally, a beginners' section will be created for people who come into contact with the instrument for the first time.
Maria Koti: Cretan songs and tunes
Yestarday’s and today’s Cretan music and musicians
In this seminar we will learn about some of the most important representatives of Cretan music through selected typical traditional songs as well as their personal compositions of the entire spectrum of Cretan musical tradition: syrta, tunes of the inland, amanedes of the urban coasts, Cretan-rembetika, “table” songs, lyllabies, rizitika, rituals, and many more.
Special reference to the musical tradition of Rethymnon and to its most significant representatives. The ongoing continuation of the Cretan musical tradition through interpretations and compositions of older and newer creators.
Special tribute to repertoire performed by female voices of Crete from the first post-war years to the present day
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
