Recognising the gap that exists between the graduation of a talented young musician and the beginning of a professional career, the Kalogeropoulos Foundation offers promising emerging artists the opportunity to introduce themselves to future audiences, present their work and develop their artistry through the innovative programme “Listening to the Young.”

Our aims:

• To give young artists a platform through multiple concerts and recordings.
• To connect emerging musicians with established artists, festival organisers and potential sponsors.
• To bring classical music to non-traditional, non-concert venues, reintroducing it to new audiences.
• To stimulate and intensify cultural activity across the wider Corinthia region and the Peloponnese.

Programme Overview

“Listening to the Young” is a comprehensive support programme for emerging soloists, combining concerts, recordings, festivals and seminars across the following strands:

1. Young Artists’ Sundays
2. “Tuning into Classical” Concerts
3. Seminars
4. 3rd MusiKaloy Festival
5. Concert at an Ancient Theatre of the Peloponnese, in collaboration with DIAZOMA
6. Young Artists’ Sundays

Following an audition process based on audiovisual submissions, an external jury of distinguished musicians will select up to ten candidates, from whom three soloists aged 25 or under will be chosen in a final evaluation by Yannis Vakarеlis, pianist and Artistic Director of the Athens Concert Hall.

The jury comprises:

• Panagiotis Theodosiou- composer and Artistic Director of the Kalogeropoulos Conservatoire
• Thodoris Tzovanakis-  pianist and piano professor at the Athens Conservatoire
• Nikos Mandylas-  violinist and principal first violin of the Athens State Orchestra
• Spyros Mourikis – clarinettist and principal clarinet of the Athens State Orchestra

The three selected soloists will each perform in three concerts: one at the Kalogeropoulos Foundation’s concert hall in Corinth, one in a city of the Peloponnese, and one at a venue chosen by our sponsors. The Corinth concerts will be recorded for broadcast on ERT’s Third Programme and filmed for archival purposes. Each recital will run for approximately 50 minutes.

As a sixth participant outside the competition, the Kalogeropoulos Youth Orchestra will also take part in this strand.

All artists will be accompanied to their out-of-Corinth performances by a member of the Foundation’s staff, who will ensure the appropriate conditions for the concert and its promotion.

The Peloponnesian cities taking part in the programme, in addition to Corinth, are: Kalamata, Tripoli, Nafplio and Argos.

Upon completion of the programme, a celebratory concert will be held at the Athens Concert Hall with the participation of all selected musicians.

1. “Tuning into Classical” Concerts

Complementing the Young Artists’ Sundays, a series of concerts by established and distinguished musicians will be held in the Kalogeropoulos Foundation’s concert hall.

1. Seminars

Seminars play a vital role in every musician’s development. The Kalogeropoulos Foundation will organise a seminar on piano pedagogy, details of which will be announced shortly.

1. 3rd MusiKaloy Festival

The Kalogeropoulos Foundation’s annual festival has become an established cultural event in Corinthia, thanks to the participation of outstanding artists and the remarkable enthusiasm of its audiences. The 3rd MusiKaloy Festival will take place in November 2023 and will include three concerts by prominent artists at different venues across the Corinthia region: the Kalogeropoulos Foundation, the Villa Sikelianos/Palmer in Sicyon, and the Corinth Theatre.

1. Concert at an Ancient Theatre of the Peloponnese

In collaboration with DIAZOMA, a concert featuring the selected young soloists will be held each year at an ancient theatre of the Peloponnese.

“Listening to the Young” is an ambitious and comprehensive investment in the next generation of musicians-  one we have a responsibility to embrace and support. Our aim is for this programme to serve as a launchpad for the professional careers of young musicians and as a cultural beacon for Corinth.

We are building something for the future, and we need you with us.