Review of the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble’s participation in the “Musiversity” Erasmus project in Poland (April 2019)

Beautiful experiences, new friendships, striking landscapes, intercultural interaction, and musical collaboration are just some of the words that could describe the participation of the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble (RGE) in the Erasmus+ program “Musiversity”, which took place in Zatonie, Poland, from April 22 to 30, 2019.

From a workshop in the woods

The members of the RGE had the opportunity to participate free of charge in this European Union-funded Erasmus+ program, which covered travel, accommodation, and meals. The journey included a stopover and overnight stay in Berlin, Germany.

More information regarding the objectives and framework of the program is available at the link “RGE in Poland with the Erasmus program”. Below is a selection of photographic material and videos documenting participation in workshops and other activities.

The Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble in Poland for the Musiversity Erasmus project, for 8 days during Easter 2019

The Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble (RGE) will spend eight days in Poland during the Easter holidays of 2019, participating in a European Union-funded Erasmus+ project.

Specifically, our association, a member since 2014 of the community of organizations eligible to participate in European programs, responded to an invitation from the Polish organization Chrześcijańska Służba Charytatywna and submitted all relevant documentation and proposals in 2018 for participation in the “Musiversity” project, which was approved in January 2019.

The “Musiversity” project targets individuals aged 15–20 and includes four organizations with musical expertise or interest from Poland, Jordan, Tunisia, and Greece, each sending seven participants. Representing Greece, the RGE will take part in the program. All participants will be hosted at the Polubie Recreation and Leisure Center in Zatonie, Western Poland.

The Two-Day Event by Guitar Soloist Kostas Tosidis in Ioannina (Recital at “D. Chatzis” Hall – Seminar in Rodotopi)

During the weekend of February 10–11, 2018, we had the pleasure of welcoming the distinguished guitar soloist of international career Kostas Tosidis. He offered a remarkable recital at the Cultural Venue “Dimitris Chatzis” and, at the same time, held a valuable guitar seminar at the RGE Hall in Rodotopi.

The events were co-organized by the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble, the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Ioannina, and the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History. On behalf of the RGE, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Kostas Tosidis for the wonderful guitar moments he shared with us.

We would also like to express our gratitude to the administration of the Cultural Center of Ioannina for their cooperation, as well as to Konstantinos Vrellis, director of the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, for his generous sponsorship and decisive contribution to the success of the two-day event.

Photos: Christos Parginos

Guitar Soloist Kostas Tosidis in Ioannina for a Recital at the “D. Chatzis” Cultural Venue (10/2/2018) and a Seminar in Rodotopi (11/2/2018)

On Saturday, February 10, 2018, a remarkable guitar recital will take place in Ioannina, featuring the soloist and lecturer at the Salzburg Mozarteum Academy, Kostas Tosidis. He is an artist with extensive guitar activity and concert experience in venues across Europe and the United States (a short biography follows below, while more can be found on his website: www.kostastosidis.com).

The recital will be held at the “Dimitris Chatzis” Cultural Venue (Old Slaughterhouses) at 8:00 pm, co-organized by the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble (RGE), the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Ioannina, and the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History.
Recital ticket price: €5

Free Guitar Seminar
On the day following the recital, Sunday, February 11, 2018, Kostas Tosidis will hold a free guitar seminar at the RGE Hall in Rodotopi. A limited number of performers will participate, while the seminar will be open to all interested listeners. Both performers and auditors will receive a certificate of participation signed by the soloist. Auditors who wish to obtain a certificate should register for the seminar by February 8, 2018, using the contact form of this blog.

Seminar Schedule

The Guitar Seminar by George Bechlivanoglou in Rodotopi and his Lecture in Ioannina (2017)

On Saturday, December 2, 2017, George Bechlivanoglou held, for the second consecutive year, an outstanding guitar seminar for the members of the RGE in Rodotopi. On the following day, Sunday, December 3, 2017, he continued at Frontzou Politeia in Ioannina with a lecture and guitar seminar.

The two-day event of George Bechlivanoglou in Ioannina, as well as two previous ones, was organized by the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, following the initiative of Konstantinos Vrellis, to whom our association expresses its heartfelt gratitude for his contribution.

The Seminar in Rodotopi (2.12.2017)

Once again, George Bechlivanoglou, full of energy and willingness to give, taught continuously for six hours, far exceeding the initial time plan of the seminar. Six RGE members participated as performers, presenting works of varying difficulty, including F. Tárrega (Pepita), N. Paganini (Romanze, arr. K. Scheit), and C. Domeniconi (Variations on an Anatolian Song).

Photos by Christos Parginos

Review of the "Paths of Rhythm" Seminar by Kostas Dimitriou at the RGE Hall on October 15, 2017

On Sunday afternoon, October 15, 2017, a very engaging seminar took place at the RGE Hall in Rodotopi, presented by Kostas Dimitriou and titled “Paths of Rhythm.”

In a joyful atmosphere, with the participation of RGE members and other attendees who came especially for the seminar, participants had the opportunity to perform rhythmic patterns using a metronome, each time based on different time units (e.g. the same rhythmic figure counted in quarters, halves, etc.), with varied accents (e.g. sixteenth notes accented every three beats, quarter-note triplets containing subdivisions of eighth-note triplets, etc.), as well as an introduction to performing eighth notes in Swing Feel (a jazz approach).

After a short break, during which sweets and refreshments were offered, the second part of the seminar followed. This was dedicated to performing rhythmic patterns through body movement (a kind of “dance-like” approach, with rhythmic elements in feet and hands), as well as through the use of voice (e.g. division into groups and simultaneous execution of “odd groupings,” which alternated cyclically from group to group).

“Paths of Rhythm” Seminar by Kostas Dimitriou at the RGE Hall (Sunday, 15 Oct. 2017)

A very interesting seminar for every musician and music enthusiast will be presented by Kostas Dimitriou, drums instructor and founder of the Ioannina School of Music, at the RGE Hall in Rodotopi, on Sunday, October 15, 2017, at 6:00 pm.

The seminar, titled “Paths of Rhythm”, explores different ways of studying with a metronome, as well as the embodiment of rhythm, culminating in an approach to polyrhythms and what is called odd grouping.

The seminar is open to all interested participants free of charge and is a generous contribution by Kostas Dimitriou.

Outstanding George Bechlivanoglou at His Guitar Seminar in Rodotopi, Ioannina (2016)

An amazing guitar seminar was held by George Bechlivanoglou at the RGE Hall on Saturday, November 26, 2016. He taught tirelessly for six consecutive hours, offering participants—both performers and listeners—the opportunity to gain valuable experience.

Specifically, seven performers, all members of the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble, participated in the seminar. They played pieces of varying eras and difficulty, starting from simpler works, such as Pavana and Tango by F. Tárrega, and progressing to more complex and demanding pieces, such as El Último Trémolo by A. Barrios and Introduction and Rondo, Op. 2, No. 2 by D. Aguado.

Through these works, the pedagogical aspect of George Bechlivanoglou was highlighted. He analyzed each piece phrase by phrase, delved into intricate details, and vividly addressed issues of interpretation and technique.

Guitar Seminar by George Bechlivanoglou at the RGE Hall (26/11/2016)

With the generous sponsorship of the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, a guitar seminar with soloist George Bechlivanoglou will take place at the RGE Hall in Rodotopi, Ioannina, on the afternoon of Saturday, November 26, 2016. This is another initiative by Konstantinos Vrellis, a member of our association, following a similar seminar and guitar recital organized in March 2016 with George Bechlivanoglou at the E.H.M. Hall in Ioannina.

On behalf of the RGE, we express our gratitude to the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, and especially to Konstantinos Vrellis, for their substantial contribution to the development of musical education, particularly for young people in the wider region.