Greek Boys Clothes: Activities--Music


Figure 1.--Boys often participate in marching bands in Kerkyra (Corfu) playing wind and percussion instruments. The uniforms seem to have an Italian influence.

We have only limited information about boys and music in Greece. In general it is popular for boys to learn to play musical instruments if their family can afford it. There is band tradition in two places. Kerkyra island (Corfu, with influences from Italy) and Asia Minor (up until 1922). This tradition has probably to do with the strong influences of Italy in this part of Greece. Boys often participate in marching bands in Kerkyra playing wind and percussion instruments. The bands participate in parades in Kerkyra at Independence Day, Ochi Day, Easter and Patron Saint Day of the Island (St. Spyridon). The boys wearing a very elaborate marching band costume. There is no choir tradition in Greece. Presumably this is related to differences in Roman Catholic and Orthodox religious services.

Musical Instruments

Many Greek parents encouraged boys to leaern instruments as was common in Europe. Here social class factors were involved. In general it is popular for boys to learn to play musical instruments if their family can afford it. Boys from working class families might also learn instruments, but normally if family members could teach them. The instruments involved include the basic western instruments. We also notice boys playing traditioinal instruments, although we do not know much about them.

Marching Bands

There is a marching band tradition in two places. Kerkyra island (Corfu, with influences from Italy) and Asia Minor (up until 1922). This tradition has probably to do with the strong influences of Italy in this part of Greece. Boys often participate in marching bands in Kerkyra playing wind and percussion instruments. The bands participate in parades in Kerkyra at Independence Day, Ochi Day, Easter and Patron Saint Day of the Island (St. Spyridon). The boys wearing a very elaborate marching band costume. The uniforms appar to have an Itlaian influence stylistically. I'm not sure when the style of the current uniforms were adopted.

Choral Tradition

There is no boy choir tradition in Greece as there is in Western Europe where the Roman Catholic church has influenced musical development. Presumably the absence of Greek boy choirs is related to differences in Roman Catholic and Orthodox religious services. We have noted boy choirs in other countries that are predominately Orthodox, such as in Bulgaria and Russia. These do not, however, appear to be church choirs as are many Western choirs. This is quite interesting as the whole Western choral traditin began in Greece with the choirs in ancient Greek dramas.







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Created: April 28, 2002
Last updated: 9:39 PM 3/31/2007