16th Cretan Music Workshop

16th Meronas Μusic Workshop

Dear friends,

We are pleased to announce the 16th "Μusic Workshop - Meronas 2026", which will be held from the 2nd to the 7^th of August 2026.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 selected songs from Nikos Xylouris '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 and the repertoire and way of playing what we today call the “Cretan mandolin” have been formed.

The seminar will teach favorite pieces from this repertoire — goals that inspire mandolinists and revelers and continue to keep the flame of the mandolin on the island burnin

The aim is for students to acquire melodic motifs, techniques and stylistic references from the deep roots of Cretan tradition, but also to understand how the mandolin can function creatively in company and at a party. The seminar is aimed at students of intermediate level and above.

 

Stratis Skarakis: Violin of Western Crete

A) Learning melodies

▪︎ Melissianos, 2nd Grambousianos. (Kissamitika Sirta)

▪︎ Balampianos, Kolimparianos, Pyrgianos. (Kissamitika Sirta)

▪︎ Pentozali, selected verses (Pyrrhichio)

▪︎ Rizitiko – ‘Ti syntrofia sas chairomai’ (Tavlas song)

▪︎ Glykomilitsa.

B) Metrical Education

▪︎ Analysis of musical measures

▪︎ Explanation of the connection between dance and melody. *Practical examples

C) History - Tradition *references

Fanis Karousos: Santouri

Music Group (workshop open to other instruments)

This year's workshop, due to the attendance of many different instruments in previous years, will also function as a music group, open to other musical instruments, combined or not, of any nature.

The santouri, having by its nature an advantage in the orchestral role, we will try to exhaust and explore all the ways it can contribute to a practical orchestration, thus learning to function in this way within a musical ensemble. Beyond the melodies and dances that we will learn, we learn to collaborate, to utilize the potential we have and to put the whole above the individual.

Of course, we will draw material from the local repertoire, which will be our axis to work on our musical hearing and perception.

Also this year, an emphasis will be placed on improvisations, the “taxis” or otherwise echoes. At the same time, we learn about the basic function of the tetrachords and how they help us in our musical perception,

Finally, as in the last 3 years, a beginners section will be created for people who come into contact with the instrument for the first time, without having to bring an instrument to participate.

 

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 mention and emphasis will be given to the immortal melodies of the unforgettable great Cretan artist and teacher Kostas Mountakis on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth.

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