Concert: 100 Years of Athens College at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Feb 28, 2025

A magical musical event unfolded on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, as part of the celebrations marking the Centennial of Athens College. Over 250 students, ranging from Elementary School 3 to High School 3, along with teachers and alumni, gathered on stage at the packed Stavros Niarchos Hall to perform a diverse repertoire. The program included classical music pieces in their original form, such as J. Pachelbel's Canon and A. Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins and Cello (RV565), but also traditional and modern songs, including compositions by M. Theodorakis and M. Hatzidakis.

 

The young musicians captivated the audience with their exceptional skill and the outstanding artistic quality of their performance.  Both symphony orchestras were conducted by Dimitris Papagiannakis, Athens College Conservatory Director, while Stefanos Tsokakis, Interschool Head of the Music Department, arranged the pieces and coordinated the choir's program and instruction.


Soloists in the Orchestra and Choir were: Nikoleta Adam '18 (singing), Anna Amargiotaki, Junior High School 2 (2nd violin), Nikolaos Balogiannis, Conservatory teacher (guitar), Eleonora-Christina Gaitanou '07 (mezzo-soprano), Krystallia Gaitanou '00 (viola), Nikolia Garoufalidou, High School 1 (1st violin), Natalia Kantzia '89, Elementary School teacher (singing), Alexios Karaiskakis-Nastos '05 (cello), Eleni Mapoura, Elementary School teacher (singing), Filothei Moriki '05, Conservatory teacher (singing), Maria-Karolina Rokka '23 (singing), Antonia Tzouvara, Elementary School teacher (singing), and Paylina Voulgaraki '08 (singing).


The event was hosted by Athens College alumnus Konstantinos Markoulakis '88, a distinguished actor and director. He highlighted the College's longstanding musical tradition, connecting its legacy to current artistic endeavors, and emphasized how the School encourages students to discover and develop their skills.

Mr. Alexandros Phylactopoulos '65, Chairman of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation Board of Directors, and Athens College President Professor Spiros N. Pollalis also delivered brief speeches.

Mr. Phylactopoulos underlined the importance of nurturing students' character and upholding the School's core values established since its inception. He shared that Music was a pivotal part of his own school experiences, and acknowledged the teachers who have shaped the School's music program by "opening up" the world of Music to their students.


Mr. Pollalis, in turn, acknowledged current College teachers,  who continue the School's musical legacy in the beginning of its second century of life, leaving their own mark for future generations. He also mentioned that future musical talents will emerge among the students participating in this celebratory concert.


The proceeds of the evening will be used to support the College's Scholarship Program, thus continuing the long legacy of the School Arts Program aiding the Scholarships institution. Since 1925, Athens College, as a not-for-profit association, has supported students from families with limited financial resources in their studies at the School.

Events to support the Scholarship Fund began in the 1930s with theatrical performances by then English teacher Karolos Koun. These events later grew beyond the School, with prominent examples being the 1947 concert by "Songstress of Victory" Sofia Vembo in Boston and the 1951 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York, conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos. The events grew in number after 1982, with the inauguration of the College Theater in Psychico, where important Greek composers and performers have since appeared.

The event was coordinated by the President's Office with the support of the College Development Office.

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