| |
Children's choir
Children's choir
|
Children's choir "Armonia" of Preveza was founded in 1983 by the conductor Mr. Andronikos Kourouklis. Its aim is to spread the choral ideal to the children of Preveza & prepare a choral school appropriate for the Mixed Section later.
From 1983 to 1990, under the direction of Mr. Stavros Solomos, the choir began its rising course surpassing the level of pre-children choir & gaining its own artistic existence. So, in 1985, it won its first award (1st prize in interpreting folklore music) at the Choral Festival of Kiffisia & in 1990 it won a silver medal in the category of children's choirs at the International Choral Festival of Athens.
At the same time, it organised & accomplished the 1st & 2nd Choral Workshop in Preveza, under the guidance of the well-known Greek professor, Mr. Stefanos Vassiliadis.
Also, it gave a series of concerts in former Czechoslovakia & in Bulgaria in 1988 & 1989, respective.
From 1990 to 1994, the choir's conductor was Mr. Valentin Stefanov, who created a group of young children to whom he taught not only phonetic placing & preparation, but also theory & rudiments of music. In this way, the insertion of new members in the children's choir was ensured, aiming at the renewal of its participants.
Since 1994, Mrs. Anelia Stefanova has become the choir's conductor. Under her direction, the choir has won the following awards:
- 1996, 1st prize at the International Choir Festival of Youngsters in Dobrich (Bulgaria)
- 1996, Silver medal & Award of the Best Greek Choir in the category of Children's Choirs at the International Choral Festival of Athens.
- 1998, Gold medal in the category of Children's Choirs, 1st prize in the category of Folklore Music & award of the Best Greek Choir in the category of Children's Choirs at the International Choral Festival of Athens.
- 1999, 2nd prize at the International Choral Festival of Arezzo (Italy)
- 2001, 3rd prize, 2nd position at the International Choral Festival of Neuchatel (Switzerland)
- 2005, 2nd prize in 5th Cantemus Choral Competition of Niyregyhaza (Hungary)
It is worth mentioning that the Children's Choir 'Armonia' of Preveza is the only Greek choir, which has ever been awarded in the two later (Italy & Switzerland) international choral competitions.
In 1997, the choir cooperated with the Chamber Orchestra of Gabrovo (Bulgaria) & performed the work "Stabat Mater" by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
In September 1999, along with the musical groups of the National Radio & TV, it performed the work of D. Solomos "A Hymn to Freedom" in Nikolaos Mantzaros' music, under the direction of Alkis Baltas & Antonis Kontogeorgiou in Kefallonia. It also participated in recording the work, along with six(6) other choirs. In October 1999, it performed the same work in Cyprus, too.
On 31st December 1999, it took part in the manifestations for the MILLENIUM at the Akropolis (Athens, Greece), a programme that was broadcast through satellite to all over the world. The event was under the aegis of the Prime Minister & ten (10) choirs from the whole country participated in it.
In June 2003, the choir took part in the International Choral Festival 'Aram Khatsaturian' of Haskovo (Bulgaria)
In 2004, it participated in the official opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 'Athens 2004', at the Olympic Stadium, as well as in the recording of the same work at the Auditorium of The National Radio & TV, where it interpreted the 'Olympic Anthem' of Spyros Samaras, under the Artistic Direction of the conductor, Mr. Miltos Logiadis.
Apart from its participation abroad, the choir has performed in most of the choral festivals of Greece (Ioannina, Agrinio, Katerini, kefallonia, Ermioni, Athens, Patra, Igoumenitsa, Parga, etc.)
As an active part of the Choral Society 'Armonia' of Preveza, it has an active role in cultural events of our town, showing great interest in important social problems. The choir has organised & participated in several events so as to support:
- The Institution 'Elpida'
- The Panhellenic Society 'Floga'
- The Centrum of people with special skills of the Municipality of Preveza
- The children, who were victims of the disastrous earthquake of San Juliano in Italy
- The children, who were victims of the attack in Beslan of Olsetia in Russia.
Upholding the tradition, the choir gives an annual concert at Christmas, containing Christmas songs from all over the world.
Nowadays, the Children's Choir 'Armonia' of Preveza consists of 150 children aged from 7 to 17 years old, who are divided in three(3) sections:
- Choral School
- Boys' Children Choir
- Concert Children Choir
The conductor
The conductor,
Anelia Stefanova
|
Anelia Stefanova was born in 1964 in Kazanlak of Bulgaria. In 1982 she graduated from the classical lycee. During her education she was a member of the famous children's choir 'ISKRA', while it was conducted by Pettia Pavlovich & took part in many competitions & festivals all over the world. From 1982 to 1986 she was a student of the Highest Musical Pedagogical Academy of Plovdiv, from which she graduated with the degree of Professor of music & theory.
In 1987, she started working as a Professor of music in 'Todor Juliev' school in Kazanlak, in which, two years later, she established the first choral classes.
In 1989, she attended a one year post - graduated course (Master) at the end of which, she completed a project on 'The particularities of working in choral classes' successfully.
In 1992, after participating in a competition, she took the post of assistant of University Professor, specialized on methodology of music education. At the same time, she worked as conductor of the children's choir of Kazanlak.
Since 1994, she has been living & working in Greece as conductor of the children's choirs of "Armonia" Preveza, Ioannina & Vonitsa. She is married & she has two daughters. |
|
