Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble "The Passaron" - Ioannina, Greece: 6th National Meeting of Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras in Ioannina

On Saturday, January 21, 2023, at “V. Pyrsinellas” Hall in Ioannina, starting at 5:30 p.m., the 6th National Meeting of Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras in Ioannina will take place.
As with the five previous editions, the event is co-organised by the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble (RGE), the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Ioannina, and the Municipality of Zitsa.

The 6th Meeting follows a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and features ten participating musical institutions from across Greece — primarily guitar ensembles and orchestras from music schools and conservatories.

Below is a presentation of the participating ensembles and their musical programmes.
The order of appearance of each ensemble/orchestra is listed in the printed version of the programme provided at the end.

PARTICIPATIONS & MUSIC PROGRAMS

Guitar Ensemble of the Lefkada Music School

The Guitar Ensemble of the Lefkada Music School was founded in 2017 and consists of 27 students from all grades and levels of the school. It has participated in numerous events, school festivals, and holiday performances both in Lefkada and elsewhere. The ensemble’s repertoire spans various musical styles from all periods, including works by Greek and international composers.

Maria
Giannikopoulou

Artistic Director and Arrangements: Maria Giannikopoulou

Co-teachers: Haris Oikonomou, Panagiota Roumelioti

MUSIC PROGRAMME

N. Piovani:

D. Lagios:

M. Theodorakis:

La vita e bella*

Exagni̱smos Ouranios Mythos*

Excerpts from various works*

*Arrangements: Maria Giannikopoulou

Artistic Director and Arrangements: Maria Giannikopoulou

Co-teachers: Haris Oikonomou, Panagiota Roumelioti

1st Guitars: Sofia Papadopoulou, Kallirroi Stamataki, Kalliroi Boursinou, Markella Therianou, Orestis Tzumerkiotis, Iasonas Sambouni, Christoforos Bitsis
2nd Guitars: Giorgos Messinis, Andreas Kavvadas, Melina Kopsida, Elisavet Grevale, Monika Momtsilova, Raphael Kangelaris, Nefeli Meitzer
3rd Guitars: Ilianna Roussi, Angelos Merisiotis, Giorgos Zoggos, Marianna Soundia, Erianna Chontai, Vangelis Argyris, Vasilis Papagiannidis
4th Guitars: Stathis Papadopoulos, Alexandros Stratos, Despoina Rokou, Andrianna Lazari, Maximos Dimakis, Melissa Makintos

"Solarpege" Guitar Orchestra – Contemporary Conservatory of Larissa

Nikos Koutsioulis

The “Solarpege” Guitar Orchestra was established in October 2016 by students of the Contemporary Conservatory of Larissa under the direction of Nikos Koutsioulis. It debuted at the 1st Festival of Music Ensembles of Larissa in March 2016.

The orchestra has appeared in several guitar orchestra festivals in Kozani, Veria, Larissa, Bansko, as well as in the choir festival of the Contemporary Conservatory of Larissa. Its philosophy and mission are to provide students with a new dimension of guitar performance and the opportunity to participate in an ensemble, since classical guitar is primarily a solo instrument.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

Beatles:

M. Hatzidakis:

Traditional of Armenia:

Traditional of Spain:

Let it be (Arrangement: L. Bekios)

Parthena tis Geitonias (Arrangement: M. Kampouris)

Xenitia (Arrangement: M. Kampouris)

El Vito

Instruction: Nikos Koutsioulis

Guitar: Andreas Axis, Achilleas Toufexis, Konstantina Koutsiouli, Fenia Karagianni, Afroditi Raouli, Christina Papageorgiou
Singer: Konstantina Koutsiouli

“GuitȂrcs” Ensemble – Kastoria Music School

Ioannis Zorpidis

The newly established “GuitȂrcs” ensemble of Kastoria Music School was created in 2022 by Ioannis Zorpidis. Its participation in the 6th Panhellenic Guitar Ensemble Meeting in Ioannina marked its first performance outside Kastoria.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

M. Theodorakis:

Omorfi Poli* (Lyrics: G. Theodorakis)

Asteri Mou, Feggari Mou* (Lyrics: G. Theodorakis)

Strose to Stroma Sou & Kaimos* (Lyrics: I. Kampanellis & D. Christodoulou)

Doxa to Theo* (Lyrics: I. Kampanellis)

*Arrangements: Ioannis Zorpidis

Ensemble Leader: Ioannis Zorpidis
Guitars by Grade:
1st Grade Junior High: Marios Arvanitis, Thanos Dalakas, Vangelis Diakopoulos, Michail-Angelos Papapaschalis, Martha Parara, Orestis Sakli, Konstantina Syrinidou
2nd Grade Junior High: Dimitris Gkosdas, Maria Kyrou, Konstantinos Nitis, Marianthi Parnava, Christos Soulios, Theodora Tasoula, Nikolas Tsakas-Christou
3rd Grade Junior High: Konstantinos Vrettas, Afroditi Elaiopoulou, Amalia Evangelou, Nikos Zisopoulos, Evdokia Kourkopoulou, Despoina Bousiou, Eirini Pantazidou, Vasiliki Pappa, Eleni Tsigara
1st Grade High School: Marietta Grizi, Polytimi Diakopoulou, Alexandros Papaioannou, Anargyros Papapaschalis, Dionysis Sakli, Ilias Fanakidis
2nd Grade High School: Giorgos Grizis, Alexandros Kitsos, Rafaella Tokatlidou
3rd Grade High School: Katerina Tsolakopoulou
Solo Vocalists: Katerina Tsolakopoulou, Alexandros Kitsos, Revekka Gkampouli
Choir: Revekka Gkampouli, Natalia Kallifatidou, Dimitris Bairaktaris, Loukas Bezenas
Electric Bass: Giorgos Grizis
Mandolin: Despoina Bousiou
Bouzouki: Alexandros Kitsos

ALMA Guitar Ensemble – Arta Municipal Conservatory

The ALMA Guitar Ensemble of the Arta Municipal Conservatory was established in October 2022 on the occasion of the 6th Panhellenic Guitar Ensemble Meeting, allowing the school’s students to participate in a major guitar-centered musical event. It consists of six students and is directed by Evangelia Makrykosta.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

M. Theodorakis:

Bellini:

H.Peretti /L.Creatore /G.D.Weiss:

C. Bonnet:

Dakrysména Mátia (Arrangement: L. Bekios)

Samba do Brazil (Arrangement: P. Durand)

Can't Help Falling in Love / Elvis Presley

Latin solo

Ensemble Director: Evangelia Makrykosta
Guitars: Leonidas Gkikas, Sofia Kosti, Nektaria Lakka, Alexandros Syllas, Dimitris Chalkias

Guitar Orchestra of the Municipal Conservatory of Larissa

The Guitar Orchestra of the Larissa Municipal Conservatory was founded in 2012 and mainly consists of children of the conservatory. Its purpose is to provide artistic interaction among students and collaboration with musicians of other instruments.

Participation in a music ensemble offers benefits such as cooperation, rhythmic practice, exposure to diverse works and composers, and friendly competition, making it essential for anyone who loves music.

Nancy Chatzi

The Larissa Municipal Conservatory Orchestra has participated in many Panhellenic Orchestra Meetings in Ioannina, Volos, Veria and Kozani, while at the same time organizing the corresponding meeting in Larissa every November.

The orchestra's director, conductor and arranger of the pieces is the professor at the Larissa Municipal Conservatory, Mrs. Nancy Chatzi.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

Traditional:

J. Strauss:

Traditional of Greece:

E. Remboutsika:

Smyrnaiko Vals*

Radetzky – Marsch (Arrangement: A. Schmidlin)

Menexedes kai Zoumboulia*

Sto Patari (“A Glimpse in the Bosphorus” – from the film Politiki Kouzina)

*Arrangements: Nancy Chatzi

Direction / Teaching: Nancy Chatzi

Participating teacher: Efi Hatzi

Guitars: Christina Alassoniti, Maria Georgaki, Menelaos Gkaneos, Nektaria Diamantopoulou, Stathis Karalakos, Odysseas Katsimanglis, Giannis Kollatos, Konstantina Malemi, Athina Bouchlarioti, Panagiotis Panagoulis
Flute: Georgia Maragkozaki
Double Bass: Giannis Margaritis

Guitar Ensemble of the Ioannina Music School “Nikolaos Doumbas”

The Guitar Ensemble of the Ioannina Music School “Nikolaos Doumbas” was founded in September 2020 as part of the school’s compulsory guitar ensemble course. It consists of junior high school students, mainly beginners, who have chosen the guitar as their primary instrument.

The ensemble’s first appearance took place during the 5th Panhellenic Meeting of Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras of Ioannina in 2020.
It has since performed at the Frontzos Theatre in 2022, at the school’s annual final event, as well as at the Silversmithing Museum of Ioannina, under the coordination and instruction of Konstantinos Sifakis and Eleni Kitsouli.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

M. Theodorakis:

Traditional Song from Peru:

D. Kriedler:

Omorfi Poli (Beautiful City)

El Condor Pasa

Rumba

Ensemble Coordinators:Thomas Diamantis, Konstantinos Sifakis, Eleni Kitsouli
Guitars: Pavlos Kounouvelis, Dimitrios Lagos, Petros Boutsis, Anastasios Raptis, Agapi Vareli, Spyridoula Vlachou, Vasileios Dallas, Phaedra Katsiampoula, Afroditi-Maria Nastou, Orestis Dallas, Christos Chandolias, Evangelia Kyriaki Konstantinidi, Theodora Lolidi, Eleftheria Banela, Vasilis Biselas-Arletos, Dimitra Papadopoulou, Nikolaos Tsagas, Maria Garametsiou, Maria-Elpiniki Katerina, Dimitrios Katsouras, Eleni Konstantinidi, Georgios Pepes, Konstantina Pepe, Konstantina Oikonomou

Volos Guitar Orchestra “Sempre Viva” – “Melotropio” Conservatory

The “Sempre Viva” Guitar Orchestra is a large ensemble of guitarists of all ages, based in Volos, Magnesia. The name “Sempreviva” (from the Italian “ever-living”) was inspired by a beautiful and rare flower that grows naturally in only two regions of Greece. Its unique ability never to wither with time symbolizes the philosophy and artistic spirit of the orchestra’s members.

The Sempre Viva Guitar Orchestra has participated in numerous concerts and festivals across Greece. Among its most notable performances are:
- The charity concert “Manoula mou”, dedicated to Manos Hadjidakis, with proceeds donated to the “Floga” Association for Children with Cancer.
- The concert “A Musical Journey to the Seabed with the 17th Ark”, whose proceeds were offered to the Cancer Patients Association of Magnesia.
- The event “A Hug for E.M.E.I.S.”, held at the Cultural Centre, in support of the E.M.E.I.S. Association for Breast Cancer.

The orchestra has also organized two Panhellenic Meetings of Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras in Volos.
It is noteworthy that the orchestra operates on a non-profit basis, and its activities have a strong charitable character — all performances are carried out voluntarily.
In recent years, it has been affiliated with the “Melotropio” Conservatory, which actively supports the orchestra’s musical endeavours.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

1st Group:

E. di Capua:

O' Sole Mio

Instruction: Marietta Manoliou
Orchestra Direction: Evangelia Gousia
Guitars: Iris Georgiadi, Thomaïs Giannakarou, Lambros Zacharis, Konstantinos Kalampoukas, Ioanna Ioannou, Karyofyllia Kostoglou, Eleftheria Polyzou, Iliana Sidiropoulou

2nd Group:

Metallica:

Nothing Else Matters

Instruction & Orchestra Direction: Evangelia Gousia
Guitars: Rigas Plageras, Katerina Delliou, Anastasia Rodakinia, Giannis Pontidas, Sofia Pontida, Giorgos Doumas, Katerina Skampardoni, Marilena Kanakari, Giannis Samiotakis, Gethsimani Kanata, Katerina Asproudi

3rd Group:

E. Lopes:

Embolada

Guitars (Instructors*): Konstantinos Versias*, Evangelia Gousia*, Aleka Tiliopoulou*, Marietta Manoliou*, Kosmas Damianos Nikolaou

“FLO Guitar” & “Exachordoi” Ensembles – Music School of Agrinio

The “FLO Guitar” Ensemble was founded five years ago and consists of classical guitars and recorders.
It has participated in the 6th Panhellenic Meeting of Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras of Ioannina, as well as in other musical events, receiving highly positive reviews.

The “Exachordoi” Ensemble was established four years ago and is composed of students taking their first steps in classical guitar performance.

MUSIC PROGRAMME (Joint Performance)

I. Albeniz:

N. Piovani:

Asturias (Arr. E. L. Farrer)

La vita e bella (Arr. S. Polydefkis)

Instructors: Dimitris Protogeros (FLO Guitar), Sophia Mazi (Exachordoi)

Guitars: Vasileia Papadopoulou, Vasiliki Riga, Maria Kontonasiou, Eirini Kontonasiou, Olga Vassi, Angelos Galanopoulos, Lydia Papathanasiou, Konstantinos Laskaris, Zenia Birbili, Nikolaos Sarakis, Athanasios Golfis, Nikolaos Petaroudas, Pavlos Charalampous, Dimitris Kalofonos, Nektaria Papathanasiou, Konstantina Balamatsi, Stefanos Koromilias, Eleftherios Davarinos, Vasilis Pesinis, Stamatia Gouma, Maria Ntzimani, Eleni Liarokapi, Athanasios Mimmis, Evangelos Papachristos, Natalia Titi, Emmanouil Dimos

Polyrythmia Conservatory Guitar Ensemble - Preveza

The Guitar Ensemble of the Polyrythmia Conservatory is a flexible formation consisting of guitar students from the Intermediate Level and above.
It is occasionally joined by other instruments such as mandolin, flute, violin, and percussion.

Nikos Rossos

Under the direction of guitarist Nikos Rossos, the ensemble regularly performs in the Conservatory’s own events and has also appeared in concerts at the Archaeological Museum of Nikopolis, Ancient Elea of Thesprotia, the Preveza Music Days, National Guitar Ensemble Meetings (Ioannina, Volos), and in performances in Lefkada, the European Music Celebration, and other musical occasions.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

G.Bizet:

M. Vamvakaris:

Traditional of Argentina:

Beatles:

L. Mozart:

Farandole

Ta Matoklada sou Lampoun (Your Eyelashes Shine) – Arr. K. Grigoreas

A gue has venido forastero

Yellow submarine

Menuetto -Trio (Kinder Symphony)

Preparation: Nikos Rossos

Guitars: Aggeliki Stylou, Evelina Zarvalia, Michail Katsaounis, Fotios Martinis, Themistoklis Bekas, Konstantinos Kouliatsis, Michail Palamas, Georgios Nanos, Korina Dardamani, Eleftherios Stamatelos, Margarita Kotsini, Georgia Karanika, Elisavet Tsaousi, Myrto Tsolka
Woodwinds: Sotiris Tsekouras
Percussion: Dimitra Karanika

Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble "The Passaron" - Ioannina

RGE, January 2023

The Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble of Ioannina “Passaron” has been an officially recognized non-profit cultural association since 2012, by decision of the Court of First Instance of Ioannina, while its activities had begun informally a few years earlier. Through the medium of the guitar ensemble, the association aims to contribute to the development of musical education, to the study, interpretation, and presentation of various musical genres, as well as to the collaboration and artistic exchange with other musicians and ensembles.

RGE Junior, January 2023

The name “Passaron” refers to the ancient capital of Epirus, which, among other things, was the homeland of the mother of Alexander the Great.
According to archaeological research and findings from Rodotopi — including sculptures, coins, a column, a marble inscription, a statue, and other artifacts — it is highly probable that ancient Passaron coincides with the area where the Temple of Zeus Areios in Rodotopi is located today.

Since 2012, the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble has given more than 90 concerts in various Greek cities as well as in Bulgaria and Poland, including:

The International Music Festival at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall
Concerts dedicated exclusively to the ensemble, in Ioannina and the wider region (Preveza, Paramythia, Lefkada, Amfilochia)
European Music Days in Agrinio and Parga
National Meetings of Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras in Volos, Veria, Larissa, Kozani, Kastoria, and Ioannina
Student concerts at its own venue in Rodotopi
Erasmus+ programme participation in Poland
Other events, including appearances in Velingrad (Bulgaria), the University of Ioannina, the Vellas Alumni Association, the Sifnos Music Festival, the Corfu “Varkarola” Festival, and television productions on local networks.

RGE, 2nd Ensemble, January 2023

Particularly significant milestones in the ensemble’s artistic activity include a series of professional video productions, featuring original arrangements and first performances of works for guitar ensemble:

Finally, in collaboration with the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Ioannina and the Municipality of Zitsa, to which it belongs geographically, the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble is organizing this year the 6th Panhellenic Meeting of Guitar Ensembles and Orchestras of Ioannina.

MUSIC PROGRAMME – PARTICIPANTS

1st Ensemble (Junior Section)

J. Barry:

007 (Arrangement by J. Kindle)

Instruction & Musical Direction: Georgios Nakis

Guitars: Tzortzina Vandola, Irida Katsouda, Giorgos Vandolas, Maria Nousia, Marios Tassis, Danae Kosmeri, Charitini Kassi, Vasilis Lytis, Thodoris Anastasiou

2nd Ensemble

Rainbow:

The Doors:

P. Green:

G. Kingsley:

Temple of the King*

Riders on the Storm*

Black Magic Woman*

Popcorn*

*Arr. Georgios Nakis

Instruction & Musical Direction: Georgios Nakis

Guitars: Athina Tsiavou, Melina Filiou, Nikolina Zoi, Voula Stergiou, Nefeli Grammeniati, Danae Kosmeri, Sotiria Leontiou, Dimitris Katsouras
Acoustic Bass: Nefeli Gaga
Flute: Sevi Leontiou
Cajón: Michalis Thomos

Joint Performance of Both RGE Ensembles (Closing of Event)

J. Page & R. Plant:

Stairway to Heaven

*(Orchestration by Georgios Nakis)

Printed Version of Programme*

* Please note: The printed version of the programme does not include the Volos Guitar Orchestra “Sempre Viva” of the “Melotropio” Conservatory, which was forced to cancel its participation due to an unforeseen event. Although its name appears on the poster, the latter had already been printed and distributed prior to the cancellation.