The pandemic has hit globally the art world far more than any other professional and social sectors. National Operas, Ballets and Symphony Orchestras remained inactive and suspended  their performances. More specifically, the choirs remained inactive for more than 18 months, with implications that have been described and presented both by choristers and conductors (Cook, 2021). Alternative ways to keep the choirs active were practiced in an amateur, spontaneous and scientifically unsubstantiated way (Hellwig, 20210). Concert Halls remained closed, international festivals took place on line (with all the practical, technical and substantial consequences of this experiment), and many choirs all over the word suspended their activities, either failing to function properly on line or understanding that online choral rehearsals cannot work effectively. 

More or less most choirs reacted the same way, either working on line or remaining inactive. What were the initial results that these situations brought out? Do the choirs run live rehearsals today? What is the musical level of the choirs now-days? Did the choirs lose or gain members? Is there any artistic activity? Can they go back to their rehearsal rooms? what are the overall effects on the choir? How could the lost time be covered? These are some of the questions asked in other related surveys carried out in 2021 in other European countries(Hellwig, 20210), (Daffern, 2021).

These are some of the topics that the present survey is focusing on and concern in particular Greek choirs (children, youth, school, adult amateur choirs from all over Greece), in an effort to map the imprint of the pandemic in the Greek choral world and draw some conclusions that are highlighting the advantages and disadvantages that emerged from the pandemic situation. Conclusion and suggestions will also be  outlined along with ideas for future actions that could bring convergence in the gap that arose between previous state of choral life and the pandemic situation of 18 months.

• Μουσικές εμπειρίες στο σχολείο, στο ωδείο και στην κοινότητα

Dr. Maria Emma Meligopoulou is Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting in Macedonia University of Thessaloniki School of Music Science & Art (Greece), where she teaches choral conducting techniques and directs the University choirs. She also teaches in the master’s programs of Macedonia  University and is visiting Professor at Aegean University. She holds a Master Degree in Choral Conducting from Boston University CFA and a PhD and Post-Doctoral in Choral Conducting and Choral Pedagogy from Ionian University SFA. She also holds a Bachelor in Law, from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In 1992 she founded and directs the SS. Cyril & Methodios Choir of Thessaloniki, which today has over 250 singers at the ages of 6 – 25 years and is regarded to be the largest choral association of Northern Creece for Children and Youth.She has performed numerous concerts in Greece, Europe, Asia, Africa and America (USA, Canada) and is recipient of many international distinctions as choral conductor. Dr. Meligopoulou is International lecturer on demand, adjudicator and guest conductor in Greek and International festivals (China, USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, Turkey, South Africa e.tc).She is author of the textbooks Introduction to the Art of Choral Praxis (2011 & 2013 3rd edition), and “Choral Method for Young Singers” and has also published the score editions 42 Choral Works by Greek Composers for Equal Voices (2014), both available by Nakas- Papagregoriou Editions, Athens. 

Elpida Tsami holds a degree in Choir Conducting from Macedonia University of Macedonia School of Music Science & Art and currently she is attending the postgraduate program "Music Sciences and Arts" of the same department. He also holds a degree in piano and Music Theory and continues in the diploma piano level with I. Papadopoulos. She teaches choir at the Municipal Conservatory of Thessaloniki and directs the preparatory and children's choir I of the Ss. Cyril and Methodios Choir. In October 2021 she won a Gold Diploma directing the women's ensemble Vox Coralis at the online 11th World Choir Games in Flanders, Belgium. As a chorister she has given many concerts in Greek and international festivals (MMT, MMA, Germany, Switzerland, Rhodesia, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey etc.)