EASY GREEK TRADITIONAL CAROLS for Christmas & New Year

A PDF file 

- 2 instrumental scores with the melody and chords in G cleff suitable for metallophone

- 2 scores with suggested accompaniament with small percussion imstruments

- A presentation about the Greek Carols; the custom, the origins, the songs, the instruments, the treats with insights to Greek culture.   

- Suggestions for listening the carols from different Greek groups

The 2 most known Greek Carols are so easy to play! Melodies going up and down in a scale, the range is an octave. The instrumental part is easy for children and adults (professional or amateur). 

The colourful  presentation describes the festive custom that fills Greece with happy sounds in Christmas Eve & New Year Eve. Children sing the carols in every house and receive treats. Wishes for health and prosperity are shared all around. The most common instruments used for carols and the most common treats given to children in old ages, when money wan't available to anyone! Some of the lyrics are presented in Greek and explained in English. Pages for self reflection close the presentation. In the last pages children/adults can describe what they liked from Greek traditions and find similarities and differencies to their own customs for these festive days. This reflection encourages people of different religions or atheists to share their customs and their way of celebrating the new year and any other important celebrations of these days. 

Culturally sensitive and appropriate for people of different religion. 

I decided to present the instrumental score only, so that people from different religions who don't want to sing lyrics having to do with Christian religion, can learn the melody of the carols. This melody is secular, created by the people and not sacred. It is not used to any religious ceremonies. 

The religious aspect of the custom is presented and explained in the PDF as a prominent aspect of Greek culture. When Greeks became Christians, they encorporated pagan and ancient customs and beliefs to their new religion. The church also replaced pagan celebrations with Christian. This way it's almost impossible to learn about Greek traditions without any reference to religion. With that in mind, you can approach the Greek customs of these days in a different way. 

Avalilable at TPT and TES