The Ancient Greek Lyre in Education-Advanced Level

Program Objective

The aim of the program is to complete the knowledge of the ancient Greek lyre acquired in the two previous cycles with compositions for ancient Greek lyre, ancient Greek lyre and voice, ancient Greek lyre and orchestra as well as works by modern Greek and foreign composers for ancient Greek lyre.

The trainees of the two previous cycles acquired technical knowledge of performing the ancient Greek lyre through the first integrated learning method of Nikos Xanthoulis, knowledge related to music education in ancient Greece as well as the use of the ancient Greek lyre in music pedagogical systems throughout the centuries with emphasis on those of the last two, knowledge of vocal interpretation of ancient musical fragments and connection of speech with music, knowledge of accompaniment of texts, myths, poems of ancient Greece as well as modern ones, knowledge of mathematics and music and philosophy and music. Finally, knowledge of lyrical and epic poetry, ancient Greek metrics and the basic measures used in ancient Greek poetry with an emphasis on those of melic poetry, theories of ancient Greek philosophers and their relationship to music, understanding the role of mathematics in musical art, music, poetry and art in Ancient Rome, as well as theater and the therapeutic use of rhythmic movement.

In this new program for the Ancient Greek Lyre in education, which is addressed to those who attended one of the first two cycles but also to those who have a high level of performance on the ancient Greek lyre (or they are going to have it till the end of the program) without having attended any of the previous cycles, they will complete their studies on this instrument with sonatas, studies, concertos and all kinds of works for the ancient Greek seven-string lyre, by modern Greek and foreign composers such as: Nikos Xanthoulis, Dimitris Delfinopoulos, Nikos Harizanos, Dimitris Minakakis, Thanasis Dritsas, Garry Judd, Nicolas James, Véronique Bracco, Vasco Pereira, Vincent Kennedy, Thomas Bramel, David Martynuik, Pasquale Scialo, et all. They will also complete their knowledge in the theory and philosophy of music, in theater and artistic expression, education and therapy in ancient Greek music.

Necessity of the program – Program innovation

The systematic research of ancient Greek music in recent decades by foreign and Greek researchers and performers is well established. The ancient Greek lyre, for the first time, has an integrated learning method (by Nikos Xanthoulis) based on ancient models as well as the interpretive abilities of contemporary performers and composers. The lack of a corresponding program in Greece and worldwide, combined with the shortage of adequately trained individuals despite the increasing number of those interested in learning it, makes this program necessary. Furthermore, its official establishment within a university department of educational sciences, enhances its educational role since music in antiquity was closely linked to the education of the youth and every educated citizen, and the lyre was the means for this education. The creation of a study program for the ancient Greek lyre in modern education, for the first time in Greece and worldwide, and its potential recognition by the state in the future would establish the first group of official advanced experts-after the first two cycles of beginners-of the instrument, with the Democritus University of Thrace being the first institution supporting this knowledge.

Structure of the program

The program is divided into 7 thematic units:

1. Ancient Greek lyre, Technique-Performance I
2. Ancient Greek lyre, Technique-Performance II
3. Vocal interpretation of ancient Greek fragments
4. Works by modern composers for ancient Greek lyre (solo lyre or lyre and voice)
5. Ancient Greek Music: Artistic Expression, Education and Therapy
6. Staged reading: Forming speech fragments into narrative images
7. Theory and music education in Ancient Greece

The instructors who teach in the program are as follows:

Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis: Composer, soloist of the Ancient Greek Lyre, Scientific Collaborator of the Academy of Athens, and Associate Member of the Archaeological Institute of America.

Dr. Evangelia Kopsalidou: Specialized Teaching Staff of Music Education at the School of Education Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, historical musicologist, music educator, and lyre player.

Pr. Dr. habil. Georgios Tsomis: Professor of Ancient Greek Philology at the Department of Greek Philology, Democritus University of Thrace, and Member of the Board of Directors of the Democritus University of Thrace. He is also an Associate Professor of Classical Philology at the University of Goethe in Frankfurt.

Myrsini Lantzouraki, MA, Specialized Teaching Staff of Drama in Education at the School of Education Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Drama practitioner-Director.

Sophia Karakouta, MA, Soloist in Vocal Performance and music educator.

Program Implementation Methodology

The implementation methodology of the program includes both face-to-face and distance learning components (Blended). The face-to-face instruction will take place in Komotini, Thrace, at the Municipal Conservatory of Nikaia Ag.Ioanni Rendi and at the Leto Hotel in Delphi for those who choose to attend (totaling 38 hours). The remote synchronous (live) instruction will be conducted through the use of programs such as MS-Teams and eclass, platforms provided by the Democritus University of Thrace, along with musical instruments that the participants will acquire. The total duration of remote synchronous learning will be 80 hours and asynchronous 182 hours. For those who cannot attend the face-to-face sessions, the asynchronous (self-paced) learning hours will be 220. In this mode, participants will engage with the material and complete activities at their own pace. The teaching techniques and methods will vary to cater to different learning styles and preferences. These will include teacher-centered and student-centered approaches, learning through observation, experiential learning, lectures, discussions, digital resources, laboratory exercises, musical performances, musical accompaniment, the use of whiteboards, and visual aids. Overall, the program aims to offer a diverse and engaging learning experience by combining various instructional methods and providing both in-person and remote learning opportunities to accommodate the needs and preferences of the participants.

Venue of Implementation

For the asynchronous distance learning component, the venue and time are determined by the participant, with the only requirement being access to the internet through the eclass platform, where study materials will be available (sheet music, PDFs with information on the theoretical content of the lessons, links for reading and listening, exercises). The synchronous remote learning will take place through the MS-Teams platform. Regarding the face-to-face instruction, lectures, and workshops will be held in the end of the program in Komotini, Thrace (free hosting), at the Municipal Conservatory of Ag.Ioanni Rendi, Nikaia and the Townhall/secondary school during the first then days of July. For those unable to attend, material equivalent to the asynchronous learning hours will be provided, with recorded versions of all the lessons. In the face-to-face instruction, there will also be an opportunity for those interested to participate in this week of on-site teaching, presentations, and concerts in Delphi, Athens and the Ancient theater of Maronia (Thrace). For those who do not wish to participate, material equivalent to the asynchronous learning hours will be provided, with recorded versions of the lessons.

Cost of Participation

The cost of participation is €500. This amount is payable in 2 equal installments of €250 by credit card, with the first installment due before the start of the lessons (by 30/10/2025). The second installment is due by 15/04/25. Payment of the first installment is a prerequisite for participating in the Program.

Payment instructions

As far as the tuition fees concerns, detailed instructions will be given individually.

Evaluation Criteria for Applications

The maximum number of program participants is set at 105 and the minimum at 70.

The following criteria are followed for evaluating the applications and selecting the candidates:

1. Priority based on the date of submission of the application
2. Interview

Submission of Applications and Supporting Documents

Start of application submission: 19/09/2025

Deadline: 19/10/2025

Submission of applications is done only electronically through the website https://kedivim.duth.gr The electronic application constitutes a Solemn Declaration according to paragraph 4 of article 8 of law 1599/1986, in which the candidate declares that they unreservedly accept all the terms of the Program, as stated in its public invitation.

The required supporting documents that the candidate must submit for participation in the Program, at a minimum, are:

1. Copy of ID card or passport
2. Copy of Educational qualification
3. English language certificate
4. A Basic knowledge of music theory

Objections will be accepted no later than 5 days after the list of admitted candidates is posted.

Contact Information:

Evangelia Kopsalidou, +30 6936279363, ekopsali@eled.duth.gr

Maria Chatzisavva, +30 6948487437, mhat@psed.duth.gr

Modules attached