DAY CARE CENTER - KINDERGARTEN

MUSICAL SCALES

The purpose of the musical scales program is to introduce pre-schoolers to the world of music and continue their extra-curricular involvement through the completion of their elementary education. We begin with the three- to-nine age group and focus on stimulating their interest in music and planting the seeds of musical expression. Through games, activities and arts, the children follow an incremental approach to learning and appreciating music. The children progress through the various instruments and learn the basic techniques used to play them. The scales program goes on to the first three grades of Elementary School, by the end of which the budding young performers are ready to present their talent in a musical production.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUSIC

The elementary music scales program for the first three grades now evolves into a high level of music scale. The purpose is to sustain the children's interest in music and enrich their fledgling talent. The third graders will put on a musical production near the completion of that school year. But it does not stop there. Entering the fourth grade, students who exhibit a propensity for music are encouraged to stay with Scales. They are afforded the opportunity to take up commanding intruments from the brass and woodwind families, while simultaneouly improving on voice and expression. As students reach the completion of elementary school they will find that they have climbed the last step on the nascent ladder of musical achievement. 

ORCHESTRA / CHOIR

The cultivation of musical talent is an established tradition at Mandoulides Schools. The orchestra and choir, each with independent activities, but also as an ensemble, participate in both in and out of school events. Our young musicians have continually harvested awards on a regional and national level: 

ECHOCHROMATA ORCHESTRA
1st regional prize (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008),
2nd national prize (1998, 2001, 2004), 
3rd national prize (1996, 2003)

CHOIR
1st regional prize (2007),
2nd regional prize (2004, 2007, 2008),
3rd regional prize (2006)

"ECHOCHROMATA" MUSICAL ENSEMBLE

The musical ensemble Echochromata (Sounds and Colors), comprising the Mandoulides Schools Orchestra and Choir, has vigorously participated in cultural events in Thessaloniki as well as in international music festivals. More specifically:

• In April 2004 they gave a concert of Greek Music in Turkish school Ted Alliaga in Izmir, with which Mandoulides Schools shared a pupils’ exchange program as part of Olympic Education
• In January 2005 they gave a concert at the National Theatre of Northern Greece  accepting an invitation from the Prefecture of Thessaloniki in collaboration with Manolis Mitsias
• In May 2006 they provided music for the presentation of Dionisis Tsaknis’s book at Vellideio Convention Center with the participation of the composer himself, Lavrentis Maheritsas and Yiannis Koutras, as part of the THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL BOOK EXHIBITION
• In November 2006 they participated in "DIMITRIA" paying a tribute to Thessalonian composer Stavros Kouyoumtzis. The event was honored by Mr. Christos Tsolakis whο gave a speech about the composer
• In December 2006 they musically embellished the awards ceremony of the Greek Mathematical Society hosted by Mandoulides Schools
• In March 2007 they attended the opening ceremony of the 3rd Conference on Atherosclerosis in Makedonia Palace
• In November 2007 they participated in "DIMITRIA" paying tribute to Manos Loizos. Mr. Philipos Grapsas honored the event with a speech
• In December 2007 they participated in TV 100’s live show To Kleidi (The Key)
• In February 2008 they attended the opening ceremony of the 4th Conference on Atherosclerosis at Makedonia Palace
• In March 2008 they participated in the Young Prague 2008 international music competition held in Prague, Czech Republic, where they won the Silver Medal
• In March 2009, they collaborated with top songwriter Dionisis Savvopoulos participating in events to celebrate the completion of 30 years of Mandoulides Schools
• In May 2009 they participated in the 57th instrumental European Music Festival for Young People in Neerpelt, Belgium, where they won the Silver Medal
• In March 2010 they took part in the opening ceremony of the 6th Conference on Atherosclerosis at Makedonia Palace
• In April 2010 they gave a concert with Dionisis Savvopoulos at the historic Zografeio school in Istanbul before the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
• In September 2010 they participated in the concert of Dionysis Savvopoulos organized by the Municipality of Hortiatis to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Hortiatis holocaust
• In April 2011 they took part in the 5th International Music Festival at Lake Garda, northern Italy. The festival had no competitive character.

MUSIC CDs

The school is proud to have captured for posterity the culmination of the best of the orchestra and chorus. Two CDs are available for students, parents and friends to enjoy for years to come.
1. "Musical Messages": Our first recording is a cornacopia of music from the orchestras and choruses from the elementary and junior and senior high schools. 
2. "Olympic Circles": Stories from across the five continents are told through musical metaphor in rythmic drums, alluring lyrics and harmonious notes. The CD is a special edition marking the Education Olympics 2004.