DEGREE & DIPLOMA IN GREEK TRADITIONAL SINGING

In 2022, the Greek Ministry of Culture established the regulatory framework governing the operation of Schools of Traditional Music within recognised music education institutions, together with the provision for awarding official qualifications in Greek Traditional Music. The relevant curriculum is set out in Joint Ministerial Decision No. 7275/2022, published in the Greek Government Gazette, Series B, No. 77/17.01.2022.

Within the School for Psaltries, in collaboration with the Conservatory of Classical and Contemporary Music, a full course of study in Greek Traditional Singing is offered, leading to a Degree and Diploma. The programme follows the structure, duration of study, prescribed curriculum, compulsory subjects and examination procedures established under the current regulatory framework.

Training develops progressively, from the student’s first systematic introduction to Greek traditional singing through to advanced study of different regional and urban musical traditions, modality, rhythmic idioms, the learned musical tradition of Constantinople, and related musical traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean. Alongside the principal subject, students receive theoretical, historical and practical training, enabling their interpretation of the repertoire to be grounded in a deeper understanding of both the musical system and the cultural context in which it developed.

Enquiries:

HOW LONG DOES THE COURSE OF STUDY TAKE?

The course of study is organised into the following levels:

Preliminary Level: 1 year
Lower Level: 2 years
Intermediate Level: 3 years
Higher Level: 2 years

Completion of the Higher Level leads to the final stage towards the Degree in Greek Traditional Singing. The prescribed course of study from the Preliminary Level through completion of the Higher Level therefore spans eight years.

A further two years of advanced study are required for the Diploma, with greater emphasis on the most demanding areas of study and the advanced repertoire.

IS ANY PRIOR MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED?

No. Students may begin at the Preliminary Level with no previous musical training.

Those who already have relevant musical knowledge may take placement examinations and, depending on their level and successful examination in the prescribed material, enter the programme at a more advanced stage.

HOW DOES THE GREEK TRADITIONAL SINGING CURRICULUM DEVELOP?

At the Preliminary Level, students are introduced systematically to Greek traditional singing, fundamental intervallic and modal concepts, and simpler rhythmic patterns. The repertoire consists of accessible and representative songs from the Greek folk tradition.

At the Lower Level, the repertoire expands considerably, together with the study of diatonic and chromatic scales, modes and modal structures. Students work with music from Greek folk and popular traditions as well as works from the learned musical tradition of Constantinople, while developing more systematic rhythmic skills, music reading and transcription by ear.

At the Intermediate Level, students move on to a broader and more demanding repertoire drawn from different regions of the Greek world, alongside works from the learned musical tradition of Constantinople and related traditions of the Balkans and the Middle East. The curriculum also introduces improvisation, transposition to different tonal centres, complex rhythmic patterns, sight-reading and transcription by ear.

At the Higher Level, the repertoire involves increasingly advanced interpretative, rhythmic and modal demands and encompasses a wide range of musical traditions from across the Greek world. Alongside folk and popular repertoire, students study works from the learned musical tradition of Constantinople, related Mediterranean traditions, and contemporary composers associated with art music rooted in traditional forms. Advanced work also includes improvisation, transposition, sight-reading, transcription by ear and the study of different interpretative styles.

WHICH COMPULSORY SUBJECTS ACCOMPANY THE MAIN COURSE?

Alongside Greek Traditional Singing, the prescribed curriculum includes compulsory subjects designed to broaden the student’s musical, theoretical and historical training:

  • Western Music Theory, notation and music reading

  • Theory of Greek Music

  • Special Topics in the Theory of Greek Music

  • Theory of Rhythm and elementary percussion accompaniment

  • Harmonic Accompaniment

  • Byzantine Music

  • History of Greek Traditional Music

  • Organology of Greek Traditional Music

  • Musical Form and Poetics of Greek Music

  • Music Ensembles

  • Reference Instrument

  • Polyphonic Instrument for Harmonic Accompaniment

  • Practical Teaching

The extent and timing of these subjects vary according to the student’s level and stage of study.

WHAT DOES THE THEORETICAL TRAINING INCLUDE?

The theoretical component develops progressively and includes music notation and reading, scales, intervals, genera, tetrachords, rhythm, and the study of the modes and modal structures of Greek Music.

At advanced levels, students engage with more specialised theoretical and analytical topics. For non-equal-tempered musical systems, the curriculum includes extensive modal analysis, while students working with equal-tempered instruments capable of harmonic accompaniment also study aspects of harmonic analysis.

WHAT DOES THE BYZANTINE MUSIC COMPONENT INCLUDE?

Byzantine Music is taught over two levels and includes music reading, elementary theory and representative liturgical repertoire.

Teaching begins with basic troparia and prosomoia and with the study of Heirmological chant in the diatonic modes. It then progresses to Heirmological repertoire in the chromatic modes, as well as representative examples of Sticheraric and Papadic chant.

Assessment in this subject is conducted through an oral performance examination. Students who already hold a Degree or Diploma in Byzantine Music are exempt from both attendance and examination in this subject.

WHAT DO THE HISTORY, ORGANOLOGY, AND MUSICAL FORM & POETICS COURSES INCLUDE?

History of Greek Traditional Music examines the historical development of the Greek musical tradition from antiquity through the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods to modern times. It includes reference to major musical figures, repertoires, theoretical systems, notational traditions, stylistic developments and musical instruments.

Organology of Greek Traditional Music examines the instruments of the Greek musical tradition, their construction, dissemination, capabilities and use. The course also includes educational visits and seminars in instrument-making workshops.

Musical Form and Poetics of Greek Music explores musical idioms and genres of the Greek world in relation to their poetic and folkloric characteristics, while also examining fundamental principles of musical structure and composition.

These theoretical subjects are assessed through written examinations.

WHAT APPLIES TO MUSIC ENSEMBLES?

Participation in Music Ensembles forms an integral part of the programme and extends across seven levels of study.

Training develops from choral work on simpler repertoire and rhythmic patterns to participation in vocal, instrumental and mixed ensembles, as well as the organisation and coordination of musical groups.

The Music Ensembles component also includes an introduction to Greek Traditional Dance, connected with the principal rhythmic patterns of the corresponding musical repertoire.

There are no formal examinations in Music Ensembles. Students are, however, required to attend at least 80% of the teaching hours each year and to participate in at least two public performances per academic year.

HOW IS PROGRESS ASSESSED DURING THE COURSE OF STUDY?

Students take annual progression examinations in accordance with the syllabus and requirements of each level.

The examination material develops progressively with the student’s level, beginning with simpler traditional repertoire and advancing to more demanding works in different modes, learned Constantinopolitan repertoire, improvisation, transposition, transcription by ear and sight-reading.

WHAT DO THE DEGREE EXAMINATIONS INCLUDE?

The Degree examinations consist of a programme of approximately 40 minutes, covering a broad range of the prescribed repertoire and modal material.

The programme includes:

  • ten works from the Greek folk and popular traditions, including pieces of increased modal and interpretative difficulty,

  • four works from the learned musical tradition of Constantinople or related Mediterranean musical traditions,

  • introductory improvisations,

  • performance of part of the repertoire from different tonal centres,

  • sight-reading (prima vista) of an unfamiliar work of corresponding difficulty.

WHAT DO THE DIPLOMA EXAMINATIONS INCLUDE?

The Diploma examinations consist of a programme of approximately 50 minutes, with more advanced interpretative and theoretical requirements. Performance from memory is compulsory.

The programme includes:

  • twelve works from the Greek folk and popular traditions,

  • six works from the learned musical tradition of Constantinople or other Mediterranean musical traditions,

  • both free-rhythm and metrical improvisations,

  • combinations of modes,

  • a work by a contemporary composer,

  • transposition of selected repertoire to different tonal centres,

  • sight-reading,

  • presentation of a short repertoire centred on a specific thematic area.

HOW ARE PLACEMENT, DEGREE AND DIPLOMA EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED?

Placement, Degree and Diploma examinations are held before examining committees constituted in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

ARE ONLINE LESSONS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS LIVING ABROAD?

Yes. Students living outside Greece may follow the programme online, and tuition in English is available for international students. This makes it possible to undertake the course of study from abroad without geographical distance being a barrier to regular attendance.

The teaching is organised so that students studying online can follow the required material systematically and progress through the programme in accordance with their level.

WHEN DO ENROLMENTS TAKE PLACE?

Enrolments take place twice a year, in September and January, and studies begin upon enrolment.

WHEN ARE PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS HELD?

Placement examinations are held every October and are intended for students who already have previous musical training and wish to enter the programme at a level above the Preliminary Level.