From ancient times Corfu is connected to music and it maintains a rich and everlasting musical tradition . From minstrel Dimodokos , who sang in honor of Ulysses , as is mentioned by Homer in Odyssey( 3000 BC) to the San Giacomo theater, which housed opera performances for the very first time in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean and to the creation of the first music band "Philharmonic Society of Corfu" ( 1840 ) to this day, music is a predominant form of art, closely connected to the soul and the history of the people of Corfu and Paxos . Music is everywhere. At the festivals , the cobbled streets , the fields and the olive groves , the houses , as well as in the accent of the Corfiot people. Joy, sorrow and everyday speech abound with rhythm .

The Philharmonic bands.

The Philharmonic Bands of Corfu are a unique world phenomenon as regards the ratio of number bands to population ’ . The founding of the philharmonic bands took place following the trend of the creation of popular clubs and societies which took place in Europe after the Industrial revolution, especially in the 19th century and was introduced in cosmopolitan Corfu through the local youth who studied in universities in Europe, as well as by merchants . This phenomenon was intensified in the 20th century, based on economic development, a trend to imitate and a kind of localisms, deriving from the idiosyncratic composition of the population of Corfu of groups of economic and politican immigrants. Nowadays, a population of 110.000 people all over Corfu are educated by 19 philharmonic bands , who support musical education through their schools , as well as through their presence at celebrations and festivals, both in Corfu and in other places.

Musical events.

Throughout the summer, Corfu enjoys really interesting musical events . The International Festival of Corfu“ Ionian Concerts ” co-organized by the Musical Department of the Ionian University , the Prefecture of Corfu and the Municipality of Corfu is the most important cultural event . This big celebration is the peak of an international musical meeting called " Summer Academy ", in which famous musicians coexist with students from America , Europe , Far East and Greece . It is a festival of high quality .

Every summer at Paxos take place severak important musical events, the most important of which being the Spring Music Festival and Paxos Festival