Ionian University, as part of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Ionian Academy, is organizing, in collaboration with the Holy Metropolis of Corfu, Paxos, and the Diapontian Islands, and the “Saint Spyridon” Choir, an event dedicated to the authentic Church Music of the Ionian Islands. This event commemorates the fact that church music was among the subjects taught at the Ionian Academy from its early years of operation.

Participating will be the Children’s-Youth Choir “Saint Spyridon” under the direction of Christina Kalliaridou, a group of students specializing in “Conducting Children’s, School, and Youth Choirs” from the Department of Music Studies, the Church Vocal Ensemble “Theodoros Kourkoumelis – Kothris” from Zakynthos, directed by Panagiotis Marino, and the Church Choir of Lixouri from Kefalonia, directed by Nikolaos Valsamos.

On Saturday, October 12, in the ceremony hall of the Ionian Academy at 8 PM, melodies from Corfu, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia will be performed, drawing from both the direct oral tradition and research into older sources, both written and oral, curated and presented by Efstathios Makris, Associate Professor of the Department of Music Studies and Vice-Rector of the Ionian University. The recording/transcription and traditional harmonization were done by Makris for Corfu, by Panagiotis Marino for Zakynthos, and by Nikolaos Valsamos for Kefalonia.

On Sunday, October 13, at the Sacred Pilgrimage of Saints Apostles Jason and Sosipatros at the Windmill, starting around 8:45 AM, the ensembles from Zakynthos and Kefalonia will chant the Divine Liturgy in the local musical idioms of the two islands alternately, led by Panagiotis Marino and Nikolaos Valsamos, respectively.

This is the first time that the main church music traditions of the Ionian Islands are presented together live, in a complete and documented manner, showcasing a neglected and well-hidden gem of our musical and liturgical culture, aimed at promoting and further cultivating this art form.

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Events dedicated to the Church Music of the Ionian Islands, 12-13/10/2024

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