Children's Music Contest
hosted by GALAXY OF TALENTS
November 16-24, 2019
Pattihio Municipal Theater, Limassol
GALAXY MUSIC is a contest for young vocalists and musicians (7-18 years old). It is a part of the Galaxy of Talents Festival, organised by Vestnik Kipra and the Pattihio Municipal Theater under auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture and Limassol Municipality with the support of the Charity Foundation "Creative World".
Galaxy Music Final 24.11.2019
Galaxy Music Semi Final Vocal 21.11.2019
Galaxy Music Semi-final Piano and Instruments 22.11.2019
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To provide children living in Cyprus with the opportunity to show their talents to the wide audience.
To upgrade the level of performance of musical compositions.
To give children an incentive for further development and professional growth.
To encourage those who have already reached a certain level of performance skills.
  • ΤΗΕ CONTESTANTS
    Performers aged 7-18 are invited to participate in the contest.
    The contestants are divided into the following age categories:
    Age group I: 7-10 years old
    Age group II: 10-14 years old
    Age group III: 14-18 years old
  • ΤΗΕ NOMINATIONS
    "VOCAL" (solo)
    "PIANO" (solo)
    "YOUNG SOLOIST" (solo, any other musical instrument)
  • CONTEST HOLDING PROCEDURE
    The order in which the contestants will perform is determined by a random draw.

    54 participants go to the semifinals, out of which 27 will advance to the finals.
JURY
The Jury is comprised of professional musicians, conductors, singers, actors, representatives from TV and radio stations.

  • VASOS ARGYRIDIS
    Composer, Director of Pattihio Theatre
    Vasos Argyridis graduated from the "Moscow Tsaikovsky Conservatory" having a degree of "Master of Arts". He wrote music for over 40 theatre plays and created a number of recognized music masterpieces. Among the most famous music works: opera "Manolis", ballet "Odiporicon" etc. Vasos played in the international symphony orchestras and had coordinated a great number of art projects both local and international.
  • JENS GEORG BACHMANN
    Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra
    Jens Georg Bachmann studied conducting and violin at the Hochschule für Musik „Hanns Eisler" Berlin and The Juilliard School New York. During his rich professional career, Jens conducted the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, the Metropolian Opera New York, as well as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Texas Chamber Orchestra.
  • DR. FRANCIS-NECTARIOS GUY
    Musicologist, Conductor of Commandaria Orchestra
    Francis-Nectarios has been known for his concert activities and publications whose researches are focused on western and southeastern European contemporary and medieval music creation. He has studied and worked with distinguished choir and orchestra conductors; composers and musicologists around the globe.
  • MARIZA ANASTASIADES
    Professional Singer
    Renowned Cypriot soprano Mariza Anastasiades recently received the "Laureate Prize" with the highest score in the category 'Professional Opera Singers' at the International Singing Competition Angel Voice Belgrade 2019. She participated in productions with artists and conductors from Metropolitan Opera New York, Prague State Opera, New York Theater, Kremlin Orchestra, Lamoureux Orchestra Paris. Ms Anastasiades studied Classical Singing and Opera in Austria and in Cyprus (BMus, MMus).
  • HARRYS PSYLLIDES
    Musician, violinist
    Harrys is the graduate of "RON Shulamith" Tel- Aviv Conservatory, having an LRC in teaching and performing violin. He continued his studies in the USA at ODU University. Harris was assigned as a first violinist at the Limassol Municipality Chamber Orchestra. Harrys is a conductor of Limassol Canadator Group since 2016
  • PARIS XANTHOU
    Conductor, musician, director of M.Y.BAND
    Paris graduated from the Lancaster University (UK) with a Bachelor degree in Music and Master in Conducting. Paris represents a young generation of conductors, bringing a fresh approach to well-known compositions and focusing on innovative interpretations.
  • KONSTANTINOS MAKARITIS
    Flautist, conductor of "Agios Tychonas Children's Choir"
    Konstantinos is a graduate of the "London College of Music" with an honor degree of "Flute Performance Bachelor Degree-with a Minor in Piano Performance". Konstantinos performed at the "Cyprus Symphony Orchestra" and played at the numerous international festivals in the USA, UK, Italy, Russia etc. He is also the assistant conductor of M.Y. BAND
  • NATALIA GOULEVICH
    Professional Singer, Eurovision participant
    Natalia is a graduate of Musical collage Shtefan Niaga in Moldova. She then decided to start a professional singer career. Natalia perfectly performed at the international music contest "Eurovision" together with Stelios Constandas.
  • MARIOS DANOS
    Musician, writer, producer
    Being an active musician for the last 25 years, Marios played in a various bands like Winters Verge, Vain Acoustic and appeared in a numerous live performance events in Cyprus, Greece and Sweden.
    Marios is a producer, composer and writer of a debut album (" War Within" 2016) of Saint Judas band, which reached a great success among the Musician's community and got the excellent feedback from various magazines and Ezines.
  • KYRIACOS HADJITTOFIS
    European University Cyprus Music Instructor, President of KTH Music Research
    Kyriacos graduated from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College of the City of New York, with a Masters of Art/Composition Degree. He has supervised by a world class musicians like Sol Berkowitz, Harold Rosenbaum. The CD "Music of the Wings" written by Kyriacos together with Anakreon Band was promoted by the Ministry of Culture and Education and successfully presented Cyprus at EU exhibitions. He is Endorsed by the Ortega Guitars, for whom he records frequently.
  • CHRIS IOANNIDES
    Musician, drummer of "MINUS ONE" band
    From 2003 to 2005 he played with Armageddon, participating in the drafting of an album. Armageddon has been for years another popular rock band of Cyprus, getting an underground hit with Raiders of Steel. From 2003 to 2009 he was also the drummer of Avlea, yet another popular band popular in Cyprus. He then joined "Minus One" Chris is a co-writer of the Marianne's Wish band songs and a was a band drummer since 2013-2015.
  • CONSTANTINOS AMERICANOS
    Musician, guitarist of "MINUS ONE" band.
    Constantinos studied music & composition at the Charles University in Prague. He was also a member of the Cyprus State Youth Orchestra. His rock career started through the band Sulphur Generation. He joined "Minus One" in 2009 From 2013 to 2015 he played with Marianne's Wish and joined on the US tour.
  • ZOE PAISANOU MARCOU
    Musician, guitarist
    Zoe Paisanou Marcou possesses the Fellowship Diploma of the Trinity College London in Classical Guitar and the Greek Conservatory Diploma. She has repeatedly been awarded many prizes in the International Guitar Competition of Volos Festival and has performed with various well-known musicians in Chamber Music Concerts in Cyprus, Austria, Poland, France, England, Russia, Italy and Greece.
  • CHRISTINA PAPADJIAKOU
    BA Hons Music, MA Music and Music Education
    Christina is an active musician since 2006. She received her BA degree with honors from Nottingham University (2006), and her Master degree in Music and Music Education from Boston University (2010). Since 2006 she is been teaching piano, vocals and theory of music. She is also member of three bands as central vocalist/pianist. In addition, Christina is voluntarily teaching music to adults with mental disabilities.
  • DEMETRIS E. CONSTANTINOU
    Musician, Composer, Music Teacher
    Demetris is a graduate from Ethnicon Odion Cyprus, Ethnicon Odion of Athens, Royal Schools of Music in England, and the Ionian University in Greece. He served for 15 years as an Assistant Director of the Military Music Band of Cyprus National Guard. The last 25 years he is working as a music teacher at the Ministry of Education. He is the director of "Musicano Band Cyprus" performing music touring around the world, the choir "Gialloura" and "Charisma Band" for children and adults with disabilities. He has composed a large number of songs and has released several of digital discs in Cyprus and Greece.
  • MARIOS D. CHRISTOPHINIS
    Dramatic tenor
    He is an Architect and a Building Quality Assessor. He was active in International Politics, in the Councils of cultural, environmental and professional Institutions and as a Judge in Architectural Competitions.
    He attended classical singing, solfege, theory, harmony, morphology, history, violin and piano lessons. He participated in music events and TV / radio productions in Cyprus, Germany, China and Greece.
    As a dramatic tenor, he collaborates with soprano Ioli Mousteri in the «Limassol Cyprus Operatic Stage».
  • DIMI MOROZOV
    Producer, Composer, Musician
    Born in Moscow 1972 he was addicted to the music and PA construction from early years. Business and career discerned him with the music for a long time. But back to the music in 2011 he created the Highgate Rockers band, recorded at Peter Gabriel's studio in the UK. Dimi manage Blind Dog record label and studio in the heart of Nicosia, where Cypriot and foreign artists record and publish their works. Music and drama lessons for kids and adults started recently as well.
  • SOFIA KARAPATAKI
    Musician, high-school music teacher
    A holder of a BA in Flute Performance (cum laude), from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. As an active musician since 1994, performed numerous concerts in Cyprus and abroad, while, in early years, participated also in concerts with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. For the last 23 years holds the position of a high-school music teacher.
  • LANCE INOUYE
    Conductor, pianist
    Conductor and pianist based in Portland, Oregon (USA), Lance Inouye is the Artistic Director and Conductor of The Portland Concert Opera and a Professor of Music at Lewis & Clark College where he is Director of Orchestral Activities and Music Director and Conductor of the Lewis & Clark Orchestra. Inouye previously served on the conducting staff of the Florida Grand Opera in Miami, the Sarasota Opera (Florida), and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Portland, Oregon.
  • SOLON KLADAS
    Musician, music teacher
    Solon gratuated (Master of Arts and Ph.D) from the Charles University in Prague. He has taught choral singing, conducting and music theory at the State Conservatory of South Czech Republic, at Charles University in Prague, at the University of Nicosia and European University in Cyprus. He was conductor of Prague Mixed choir, Prague Male choir and JH Symphony Orchestra in Czech Republic. He is choir conductor of the State Music School of Limassol, Yermasoyia Municipality choir and Artistic director of ARIS Limassol choir. Solon has collaborated with choirs and symphony orchestras of many European countries, included Greece, Cyprus and Russia.
  • MANOLIS NEOPHYTOU
    Musician, music teacher
    Manolis represented Cyprus at the Eurovision Classical Contests in Brussels (1992), Warsaw (1994) and Lisbon (1996), after winning the Cyprus National Competitions. He received several prizes in international piano competitions: including 1st Prize at the Inter-Mediterranean Music Festival (Palermo, Italy, 1995), and 2nd Prize at the Thimis Piano Competition (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2002).
    His performance activities include solo recitals and concerts, he performed, as a soloist, with many orchestras.

  • ANDREAS ARODITIS
    Professional Singer, University Teacher
    Andreas is a Tenor who took the lead in many international Operas in douzen of countries. He is the recipient of full scholarships and grants from the Aspen Music Festival, the International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI), the Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute (BASOTI), Novick Career Advancement and the Leventis Foundation. Mr. Aroditis teaches Vocal Performance at the University of Nicosia the European University and at the state Music Lyceums. He holds a Master's Degree in Music (Vocal Performance) from the Juilliard School in New York.
  • NATALIA KARDASH
    Founder of the Galaxy of Talents Festival
    Publisher, Editor-in-chief, VESTNIK KIPRA newspaper and SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Magazine; President, Economic Diplomacy Council; Chairwoman, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Leaders' Club. Founder, Vice-President, Association of Russian-speaking residents of Cyprus; Honorary Fellow Member, Cyprus Institute of Marketing and Cyprus State University MBA Faculty; Organizer of 30 annual events in Cyprus and Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
Prizes
3 VOCAL nomination winners get 3 prizes from the Blind Dog Studio, each one includes
- 2 hours rehearsal session
- 6 hours multitrack recording session
- mixing and mastering of the track
- IP registration worldwide
- distribution and promotion at 40+ electronic downloads platforms including Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify etc.

Professional sound recording equipment and high-end sound engineer support included.
Piano and other Instruments players will be awarded by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra.

The artistic director of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Jens Bachman will choose few soloists among nine winners of the piano/instruments category. These children will perform with the Orchestra on the 22nd of May 2020 during a special concert that will be devoted to the winners of the Galaxy of Talents.
All winners of the Galaxy of Talents will have their songs/musical plays to be broadcasted by these three radio stations.

The children who will take first places will be invited to the studios of these stations for a live interview.
Few winners selected by the team of Sigma TV will be invited to take part in one of Sigma TV programs.
The audience will award one of the singers on the 21st of November and one of the young musicians on the 22nd of November with the Sympathy Prize. The winner will get a special diploma and a 50 euro voucher from the online shop Identeco.
Organising Committee
Co-Presidents of the Organizing Committee: Natalia Kardash, Vestnik Kipra's publisher and editor-in-chief and Vasos Argyridis, composer, director of the Pattihio Municipal Theater.
The Galaxy Music is organized under auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture and Limassol Municipality with the support of the Charity Foundation "Creative World".