The “Epilogi” children’s choir numbers 80 members from 9 to 15 years of age. It was founded in 1996, as the first of four choral groups of the “Epilogi” Cultural Movement of Limassol. The Choir’s repertoire includes works ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary music, works by Greek and Cypriot composers, as well as arrangements of traditional songs. In 2000 the Choir assumed the name “Limassol Co-operative Savings Bank” (LCSB), one of the major financial supporters of EPILOGI.
The “Epilogi” children’s choir is a member of the “European Choir Federation - Europa Cantat”, and of the “Greek Choirs Federation”. Since 2003 it operates under the artistic direction of Mrs. Angelina Nikolaidou-Spanou. The work of Mrs. Angelina Nikolaidou-Spanou is being supported by vocal coach Ms. Ioanna Thrasyvoulou since March 2009.
Through weekly rehearsals, children have the opportunity to obtain the knowledge and experience in choir singing and vocal training, as well as a chance to socialize and create cultural programmes themselves. Participating in international programmes is an opportunity for our members to get in touch with children from other countries and cultures, and to become future active citizens. It is particularly important the fact that all our choir members are frequently practicing with classical music (artistic education) while at young age, which will positively affect the development of the audience in the years to come.
The “Epilogi” Children’s Choir has participated and performed in several choir festivals and other events, in Cyprus and abroad. Besides its several tours to Greece (Zakynthos, Polygyros, Rhodes, and Athens), the Choir visited Italy (Bedonia in 2000 and Verona-Garda in 2009), Komlo, Hungary in 2005, Zrenjanin, Serbia in 2006. The Choir represented Cyprus at the European event “Noel in Alsace” in Strasbourg, France at Christmas 2006. At the International Christmas Choir Festival of Prague in December 2007 the Choir was awarded with a Bronze medal. In the past years the “Epilogi” Children’s Choir had the opportunity to co-operate with renowned conductors and orchestras, such as the Symphony Orchestra of ERT with G. Pylarinos in the Herode Atticum Theatre in 2004, the Budapest Concert Orchestra with Notis Georgiou (Kypria International Festival 2007 – Carmina Burana), the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra with Viacheslav Volich (in December 2008 - presenting John Rutter’s “Mass of the Children”) and HGM Jazz Orchestra Zagreb with Sigi Feigl (Jazz Youth Dialogue – 2010). The choir also participated in PECS CANTAT, one of the largest European events organized by “EUROPA Cantat” inPecs,Hungary, in August 2010. During the festival the choir took part in various workshops and gave a number of individual concerts.
The choir intends to participate in the Claye-Souilly Music Festival, in April 2011, to meet with other children’s, youth and mixed choirs while presenting and promoting the Cypriot Culture abroad. Through joint concerts, workshops and social content programmes, the “Epilogi” Children’s Choir members will be given the chance to present their programme while receiving knowledge and expertise from their European counterparts. The choir members will also visit places of interest of the French culture in the broad area ofParis, guided by a professional tour-guide, which will contribute to their non-formal education.
Epilogi - Cultural Movement of Limassol
