It may not have been easy and “rosy” when the department was founded. Nothing is accidental, however, about how the section “rooted” since then in Corfu, which has been described as the cradle of New Greek Music
With a three-day program of celebratory events, the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University, based in Corfu, celebrated its 30 years of operation. Concerts, alumni interaction with students, round table discussions, a review of the department’s work and discussions about its future, confirmed the diverse activity of the department, the high level of studies, but also that it is in constant dialogue with the local community.
Especially yesterday, Saturday, when the three days of events ended, two concerts in the city center were crowned with success, proving the high level of the students and at the same time the creative dialogue that the university has with the local community.
The enthusiasm of the public was great after the presentation, in concert form, of the opera “Dido and Aeneas” at the Museum of Asian Art. Afterwards, small concerts inside the castle of Corfu “led” like footsteps the audience to a jazz music concert near the church of Agios Georgios and despite the rain, musicians and audience remained in their seats until the end, each to please the people and the others to reward the hard work of the students and enjoy the beautiful music program.
The three-day event, which lasted from Thursday to Saturday (June 1-3, 2023), was the culmination of a series of events held since May 2022. evolve even more. Although it is difficult to fit thirty years into three days, what is clear is the great work that has been done over the years thanks to people who have invested their musical education and legacy in the foundation of the department,” he said during the the rector of the Ionian University, Andreas Floros, started the three-day event.
During the three days, concerts were organized with the presentation of works by the professors of the department that they composed on the occasion of the completion of 30 years, and the performance of the musical compositions by students. In addition, round tables were held during which the work produced in the past thirty years was evaluated and proposals were submitted for the development of the department in the future. The meeting of graduates with undergraduate and postgraduate students of the department was special, for the exchange of opinions and the provision of advice from the oldest to the youngest.
Continuation of an important musical tradition
It may not have been all easy and “rosy” when the department was founded in October 1992. However, nothing is accidental about how the department has “taken root” since then in Corfu, which has been characterized as a cradle of Modern Greek Music.
“Corfu is a place surrounded by music. The musical tradition of Corfu and all the Ionian Islands is perhaps the richest of all other places in modern Greece”, noted Anastasia Siopsi, president of the Department of Music Studies.
“In the Ionian Islands, symphony orchestras, philharmonics, mandinades and choirs developed. Because the form of expression of these islands was the opera, the cantsonetta, the Italian bel canto, choral music and the mandolinata. In fact, the philharmonics, especially those of Corfu, which is an island with a great cultural tradition, the cradle of Modern Greek Music, not only develop the musical tradition that began 175 years ago, but also make it known worldwide”, he added.
“The rich musical tradition of Corfu is perfectly complemented and upgraded through the scientific and artistic activities of the department”, he pointed out.
Student-centered approach and innovation
It is an “ideal and unique” combination of University and Music Academy, according to Ms. Silence, with a “multifaceted scientific and artistic personality” and a “substantial collaboration of professors, students and alumni”.
“We place special emphasis on the student-centered nature of the department and I think this compensates us even more,” he told APE-MPE.
“The past 30 years have been exciting and creative,” said Dimos Dimitriadis, associate professor and saxophonist, who pointed to the department’s innovations, such as the organization of concerts and festivals, which are now taken for granted. .
The emeritus professor and composer, Haris Xanthoudakis, emphasized that “it is a privilege to teach properly and in depth a musical tradition, which is very important for the history of Europe”. He also expressed the hope that the department will continue to cultivate “the teaching of the musical fields of the school ‘grammar and syntax’ of music in modern ways”.
A separate piece and an important legacy is the interaction between the different sectors. “They help each other, and that’s how a community is created. These experiences transform the students,” said professor emeritus Miranda Kaldi, referring to project presentation partnerships, among other things.
In dialogue with the local community
Due to the nature of the department, there is “fertile ground” for university dialogue and engagement with the local community. Not only in the part of the concerts and festivals that present the work being done in the city, but also in the everyday life of the people of Corfu. Zoe, a third-year student, before coming to the island expected that her interactions would be mostly with her peers, students. “And yet, work is also done in the community, especially in the pedagogical part. There is such feedback with the community, that I walk down the street and young and old greet me,” he told APE-MPE.
Nausika, a graduate student of the Master’s degree in Music Pedagogy, also spoke about the importance of the university’s work being open to the community. “Initially, the local community may be wary of some actions, but in the end they not only follow our actions, but also with enthusiasm,” he noted.
As for the level of study, she emphasized that it gives her particular satisfaction that she can stand on an equal footing with other students at an international level.
The Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University
The department includes rare teaching subjects such as Jazz, Early Music, Church Organ, Music for Film/TV/Dance, Music Technology and Electronic Music, Music Therapy and Acoustic Ecology.
At the same time, it has three institutionalized, equivalent directions: music sciences, music composition and music performance. In fact, it is the only one in Greece that offers them.
It grants a single and undivided master’s degree (integrated master) level 7 of the National and European Qualifications Framework in each of the above fields of study, which are even indicated on the degree.
The artistic presence of the department is particularly active, as its students staff, among others, the Symphony Orchestra, the Choir and the string, Jazz, and Early Music ensembles.
This gives students many opportunities to connect with artistic creation and applied research in Greece and abroad, as well as to take advantage of active channels of communication with cultural institutions in Corfu and Greece.
A particular element about the level of commitment that distinguishes the department’s students is that it is a conscious choice: For the current academic year, 2022-23, 68 of the total 107 admissions of the department had declared it as their first choice in their Computer Science and the rest 39 as the second.
Source :Skai
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