It's just a few days until Christmas and Limassol is more vibrant than ever: streets are beautifully decorated, shops are filled with customers, and children constantly stream into the "Christmas Village" that has been set up at Afxentiou Square. Most importantly, however, music is everywhere. Dozens of music ensembles and choirs perform their holiday concerts, while marching bands spread the sounds of Christmas across the town. Being a composer, this is the time of the year when I get to wear my 'performer' hat and join the fun, playing with some of the town's music groups.
On Tuesday December 20th I had the joy of performing with Limassol's Music High-School Concert Band at Rialto Theater, conducted by Mr. Giorgos Krasidis (pictured above during our dress rehearsal) - my precollege music teacher and one of the finest musicians I know. The program included beautiful arrangements of Christmas songs, as well as music from famous films. The band was made up of current students, alumni and friends of Limassol's Music High-School - an institution that was only set up ten years ago and has, since then, contributed significantly to the musical development of our town. It was truly a pleasure to reunite with old friends and to meet so many passionate and talented young musicians. I wish them all the very best and I'm looking forward to future collaborations.
A. Antoniades