1, Christou Kontou & Ethnikis antistaseos str.
48100 Préveza
Greece
- Arts
- Heritage
- International/Cultural relations
- Religion
- Youth and education
Since 1969, the Choral Society "Armonia" of Preveza, founded by conductor Andronikos Kourouklis and a group of music enthusiasts, has championed choral music locally and globally. Central to its mission is the renowned International Choral Festival of Preveza, now in its 45th edition, hosting over 400 choirs worldwide and boasting esteemed personalities on its International Jury Committee. Supported by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the Regional Unit of Preveza, and the Municipality of Preveza, the festival maintains high artistic standards and integrity. Alongside the festival, the Children's Choir "Armonia," established in 1983, educates and inspires young singers under the direction of Mrs. Anelia Stefanova since 2016. With a legacy of excellence under conductors Stavros Solomos and Valentin Stefanov, the choir continues to nurture talent, promote musical education, and enrich the cultural landscape of Preveza.
The mission of the Armonia Choir is to promote choral music both locally and internationally, fostering a deep appreciation for the art form while representing the cultural heritage of Greece. Through their performances and participation in prestigious events, the choir aims to showcase the rich tradition of Greek music and its contributions to the global choral community.
-Promote Cultural Exchange: Organize the International Choral Festival of Preveza as a platform for choirs from diverse cultural backgrounds to come together, share their musical traditions, and foster cross-cultural understanding and friendship.
-Celebrate Choral Music: Showcase the beauty and diversity of choral music by presenting a wide range of repertoire spanning various genres, styles, and historical periods during the festival performances.
-Support Artistic Development: Provide participating choirs with opportunities for artistic growth and development through workshops, masterclasses, and interactions with esteemed conductors and musicians.
-Encourage Collaboration: Facilitate collaborations among choirs, conductors, composers, and other music professionals, fostering creative partnerships and innovative musical projects.
-Nurture Young Talent: Offer special programs and initiatives aimed at engaging young singers and promoting the next generation of choral musicians, including youth choirs and educational workshops.
-Enhance Community Engagement: Engage with the local community of Preveza and surrounding areas by organizing outreach events, educational programs, and performances in schools, cultural centers, and public spaces.
-Promote Tourism and Cultural Tourism: Contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the region by attracting visitors and tourists to Preveza through the International Choral Festival, thereby boosting local businesses and promoting the city as a vibrant cultural destination.
-Preserve Cultural Heritage: Highlight the rich musical heritage of Greece and its contributions to the global choral tradition through performances of Greek choral works and collaborations with Greek composers and musicians.
-Sustain Tradition and Innovation: Balance the celebration of tradition with a commitment to artistic innovation, exploring new trends and approaches in choral music while honoring established repertoire and performance practices.
-Ensure Excellence and Quality: Uphold the highest standards of artistic excellence, and organizational quality in all aspects of the International Choral Festival of Preveza, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience for participants and audiences alike.
Main Stations in History:
1977, world's first performance of the project "Eleytheroi Poliorkimenoi" in music by Yannis Markopoulos and lyrics by Dionysios Solomos
1983, the foundation of the International Choral Festival of Preveza
1995, the establishment of an International Choir Competition for Religious Music
1999, world's first performance of the Greek masterpiece "Hymn to Freedom" in the music of Nikolaos Mantzaros and lyrics by the National Poet Dionysios Solomos - 31/12/1999, participation in the MILLENIUM events on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, which were broadcast by satellite throughout the world by Greek Television
2000, Best Greek Choir of the Year - 2004, participation in the Opening Ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
2006, participation in the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the birth of W. A. Mozart at Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria
2011, participation in the upcoming Carmina Burana project by Carl Orff, under the direction of great Greek-American conductor Peter Tiboris
2012, in collaboration with the Athens State Orchestra and the Municipal Chorus of Corfu, the Carmina Burana project by Carl Orff under the direction of Vasilis Christopoulos at an event organized for the "Smile of the Child" and attended by 3,500 spectators at the Fortress of Corfu All these years has won 9 first prizes, 4 gold medals, 5 second awards, 9 silver medals, 3 third prizes and 7 bronze medals in competitions that participated throughout Europe. It has appeared in most cities in the Greek territory in Ireland, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Libya, Turkey, Serbia, Portugal, Russia and Cyprus.
Children's Choir Armonia
In 1985, at the Choir Festival of Kifissia, it received its first award (1st prize in the performance of folklore editing)
In 1990 it won the silver medal in the category of Children's Choirs at the International Choral Festival of Athens. At the same time it organized and conducted in Preveza the 1st & 2nd Choral Workshop, under the guidance of the prominent musician Professor Stephanos Vassiliadis.
In 1988 it gave concerts in the former Czechoslovakia in 1989 and in Bulgaria.
From 1990 to 1994, the choir was directed by Valentin Stefanov, who created a department of small children, where, besides vocal preparation, they were taught theory of music & sophistication. In this way new children were admitted to the children's choir for the renewal of their living material.
Since 1994 the choir has been taken over by Anelia Stefanovova. Under her direction, the choir participated in a number of choral competitions and won awards at international competitions in Dobrich (Bulgaria), Athens International Choral Festival, Arezzo (Italy), Neuchatel (Switzerland) and Nyiregyhaza (Hungary). It is noteworthy that the Children's Choir of Preveza "ARMONIA" is the only Greek Choir that has been awarded to those two great international choir competitions.
In 1997 it collaborated with the Chamber Orchestra of Gabrovo (Bulgaria) and performed the work "Stabat Mater" by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
In September 1999 it presented to Kefalonia with the ensembles of ERT the work of D. Solomos "YMNOS IN ELEFTHERIAN" in music Nik. Majarou under the direction of Mr. Alkis Balta & Antonis Kontogeorgiou. Children's Choir participated in the rcording of the project along with six other choirs.
In October 1999 it presented the above project in Cyprus On 31/12/1999 it participated in the MILLENNIUM events on the Acropolis, a program that was broadcast by satellite around the world. The event was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister and ten choirs took part from all over Greece.
In June 2003 it participated in the International Choral Festival "Aram Khatsaturian" in Haskovo (Bulgaria).
In 2004 the choir participated in the official opening ceremony of the Olympic Games ATHENS 2004 at the Olympic Stadium, as well as in the recording of the work in the Radio Spectrum of ERT, where it performed the "Olympic Hymn" by Spyros Samaras, under the Artistic Director , Mr. Miltos Logiadis.
In 2008 it participated in an International Festival in Rome, Italy, where it gave concerts at the Church of Agios Ignatios as well as on the outskirts of Rome. Also, during the same year, it participated in the International Music Festival of Patmos.
In 2012 childrens choir participated in the rise of C. Orff's "Carmina Burana" in Corfu, where he collaborated with the Athens State Orchestra under the direction of Vassilis Christopoulos, the Municipal Choir of Corfu "San Giacomo" and the Mixed Choir :Armonia: of Preveza at an event in the castle of Corfu, where 3,500 spectators watched it.
In 2014, it participated in the 10th Aegean Festival in Ermoupolis, Syros, where it participated in the Puccini opera operas, accompanied by a large orchestra led by the great Greek-American archbishop Peter Tiboris. In 2015 the choir performed in the world's first performance at the Summer Academy for Children's Choir of the Ionian University of Corfu, in collaboration with the modern Greek composer Dimitra Trypani, the two great works "Once upon a Time in Paxos" and "Didymanes"
In 2016 it participated in the event "All the world ... a voice" at the "Alexandra Trianti" Hall at the Athens Music Hall, in collaboration with the choir "Rosarte" under the direction of Rosi Mastrosvava and the Polyphonic Choir of Patras under the direction of Eleni Papadopoulou.
In April 2017 Children's Choir "Armonia" of Preveza participated in the events of the Easter Festival in Moscow, representing Greece, after an invitation of the Russian Ministry of Culture.
Besides her participation abroad, the choir has appeared in most of the choral festivals in Greece (Ioannina, Agrinio, Katerini, Kefalonia, Ermioni, Athens, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Parga, etc) As an active part of the Choral Society "Armonia" of Preveza it participates in the cultural events of our city, having a particular sensitivity on major social issues. As a tradition, every Christmas the choir presents a great concert with Christmas songs from all over the world. Today at the Children's Choir "Armonia" of Preveza, 150 children, aged 7-17 years old, are divided into two (2) sections: - Pre-children's choir for children 7 - 10 years old, and - Children's choir of concerts.
Please visit our site for the International Choral Festival https://armoniachoir.org/previousFestivals.html
Through its performances and outreach activities, "Armonia" can promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, fostering mutual respect and appreciation among different cultures and communities within Greece and across the Mediterranean region.The choir can engage with young people through music education initiatives and youth-focused projects supported by the Anna Lindh Foundation, empowering them to express themselves creatively and become active participants in intercultural dialogue and social change.
By becoming part of the ALF Network, "Armonia" aims to contribute to the foundation's mission of promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding. Through its music, the choir believes it can bridge cultural divides and foster a sense of unity and respect among people of diverse backgrounds.The choir can participate in cultural exchange programs organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation, sharing Greek choral music and traditions with other countries in the network while also learning from and collaborating with artists from diverse backgrounds.Joining the ALF Network provides "Armonia" with access to a wide range of resources, including funding opportunities, training programs, and collaborative projects. These resources can help the choir expand its reach, enhance its impact, and further develop its capacity as a cultural organization.Joining the ALF Network aligns with "Armonia's" own mission and values of promoting music as a universal language that transcends cultural barriers. By participating in the network, the choir reaffirms its commitment to promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and understanding through the power of choral music.