📍 Address: Sinarades, 490 84, Corfu, Greece
📞 Phone: +30 26610 55012
📘 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/filarmonikisinardon
🌐 Website:
https://www.filarmonikisinarades.gr/
The Sinarades Philharmonic Band was founded in the early 1960s through the initiative of Nikolaos Pigis (community president) and Nikolaos Vasilakis (community officer), who took the first steps toward establishing a philharmonic band in the village of Sinarades.
Music lessons began in January 1961 under the direction of the first conductor, Vasilis Kritikos, while the first musical instruments were purchased. The Parish of Saint Nicholas of Sinarades provided a traditional building next to the church to house the band. This space was used until 2004, when the Philharmonic moved into its privately owned building, a donation from the Agricultural Cooperative of the Sinarades Community.
Although the Philharmonic had been operating since 1961, its first official Board elections were held in 1962, when Konstantinos Sagias was elected president. Until then, the band was managed by a temporary administrative committee. On the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers in 1962, led by Vasilis Kritikos, the band made its first public appearance with 24 musicians.
In 1969, Eleni Mastora succeeded Kritikos and remained conductor until 1982. From 1971 onward, the Philharmonic regularly participated in events in the city of Corfu, including the annual processions of Saint Spyridon on Palm Sunday, August 11, and the first Sunday of November.
She was later succeeded by Achilleas Sagias and Anastasios Grammenos, both members since the band’s first public appearance. Grammenos served as conductor until 1989, while Sagias continued until 1999. During the 1980s and 1990s, the band experienced significant growth, eventually reaching approximately 90 musicians.
In 1987, under the presidency of Spyros Sagias, efforts began to secure a permanent building to meet the band’s expanding needs. After overcoming various challenges and with decisive support from the Municipality of Parelia, the inauguration of the new premises took place in 2004 during the presidency of Konstantinos Alamanos.
In the summer of 2000, Dimitris Papikinos assumed the musical direction of the Philharmonic. Since 2001, alongside the main band, a Student Band has been operating, involving around 60 young musicians under the age of 17.
In June 2010, the Philharmonic achieved international distinction by winning the Silver Medal at the 19th International Philharmonic Festival in Rybnik, Poland, among 19 bands from 11 European countries. In the same year, it participated in the national military parade held in Thessaloniki on October 28.
Since 2017, the conductor of the Philharmonic has been Alexandros Koskinas. In 2021, amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the band recorded well-known Easter marches, contributing to the celebration of Easter traditions despite restrictions.
Today, the Philharmonic counts approximately 120 active members and presents 5–6 annual concerts in both Sinarades and the city of Corfu, frequently collaborating with distinguished Greek artists. In addition to its concerts, the Philharmonic actively participates in national holiday parades and religious processions organized by the Municipality of Corfu.
