About CCRSM
Welcome to the Cyprus Centre for the Research and Study of Music (C.C.R.S.M.), a non-profit academic organization dedicated to the development and promotion of cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and study of music. Here you will find information and all the latest about our organization, various activities organized, services and publications offered.
Mission
The Cyprus Centre for the Research and Study of Music, C.C.R.S.M. is a non-profit organization registered in the Republic of Cyprus in 2012 and began its financial activities in March 2014. Its mission is to promote and advance the research and study of music; innovation, expression, participation, creation and communication in music, encompassing a diverse range of musical genres, of creating and learning, participating and performing. The centre promotes cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary research across cultures and societies, embracing the multidimensional and multidirectional ‘heteroglossic’ musical worlds.
Recognizing the fundamental power of music and its tremendous significance in people’s lives CCRSM aims in bringing together and actively engage and challenge musicians and/or creators, educationalists and/or researchers, children and/or adults, cultural entrepreneurs and investors all of which always strive to go one step further. CCRSM serves as a centre for the creation and implementation of new ideas related to music leadership, music learning and music professional development in Cyprus, its regional communities, the Mediterranean basin and Europe at large. The centre’s activities are centered in the Mediterranean, a fascinating place of human interactions, conflicts and mixing, diverse syncretism and conversion of diversities. For some people it represents a rich cultural melting pot, while for others a colorful mosaic of localised cultural and musical behaviors and practices.
At the same time C.C.R.S.M. provides a platform and a bridge for ongoing music research, interaction and dialogue with global perspectives. It acknowledges the formulation of multilayered, ‘heteroglossic’, multicultural and intercultural musical narratives and musical identities and their impact in human musical practices at each psychological, social, historical, cultural, ethnic, political, economic, local and global context. In turn, the centre aims in closely observing, investigating and celebrating such human phenomena. They provide rich opportunities for collaborative work, individual intellectual and emotional fulfillment and promote peace and intercultural understanding between persons and groups.
Our Logo
Our logo has a twofold meaning as it is inspired from both the family name of the founder of the organization, "Pierides"(masculine ending in Greek: Πιερίδης, female Pieridou:Πιερίδου) and the ancient Greek and Roman myths of Pierides Muses. Our logo signifies the fusion of geographically different socio-historical cultural and musical worlds and our fundamental underlying principles.
Most symbols on the logo are, interestingly, of feminine gender in Greek language: the sea (θάλασσα), the Muse (Μούσα), the harp (Άρπα), the note (Νότα), the jay (κίσσα), the earth (γή), the music (μουσική), the creation (δημιουργία), the production (παραγωγή) and the knowledge (γνώση). Since ancient times, people have believed that the female cannot exist without the protection of and union with the masculine. Therefore, the curved line on the top of the logo represents Uranus, also known as Ouranós, the embodiment of the sky or heavens, and known as "the god of the sky". He was the first son of Gaia - the earth which is represented in our logo by the bird. Ouranós also became Gaia’s husband. The sky also symbolizes the spiritual element in music experience which assists in the elevation of the human spirit and soul. Finally this line also represents the timeline from the past to the present that is pointing to and continues in the future.
If observed from left to right, just like a journey from past to present, on the left of the logo there is the Muse of Music singing and holding an harp, a figure of Mousayétis Apollo, their combination representing both the female and masculine elements in the music- making. On the right of the Muse’s back a bird emerges, a Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius (in Greek = κίσσα) which is found in abundance in the forests of Troodhos Mountains in Cyprus. It is an intelligent, self-conscious, shy and cautious bird well hidden in the leaves of the forest trees with a harsh croaking and voice imitation abilities.
Lastly, the music stave, also representing the Mediterranean Sea seems to be stemming from the harp in a wave-like direction to the right, from past to present. Although the stave is fundamental in western musical notation the impressionistic notation with sails and anchor symbolizes the flow of musical interaction and the fluidity of different and varied musical meanings that are possible through processes of diversification, hybridization and syncretism in each historical moment.
The Myth
According to a Greek myth, Pierides might have been the patronymic of the nine daughters of King Pieros of Emathia, who gave each of his nine daughters a name of the Muses. Pierides (in plural form) were also called the Muses who were born and lived in Pieria Greece, not far from Olympus, and thus also called Olympiades (Vakhes in Euripides). Likewise in Latin mythology, e.g. in Ovid’s Metamorphosis, Pierides referred to the Muses in general.
In a different version, we learn that the most ancient seat of worship of Muses was in Pieria, where Apollo was directing their choir and thus was also known as Mousayétis. Pierides had beautiful voices and their singing was very sweet but became so arrogant considering themselves better than the Muses that they challenged them in a singing contest. The Muses as expected won and punished the presumptuous maidens by transforming them into chattering birds. These birds belong to the corvids or crow family which includes a large number of species such as the European magpies and Eurasian jays. These species, though cacophonous are nature’s most intelligent birds and among the most intelligent of all animals.
Vanity and arrogance led to the destruction of the inherent gift of beautiful divine singing, according to the myth. The transformation to an earthy but intelligent species, such as the Eurasian jay, points to the fundamental brain intelligence and social skills necessary for survival on this planet. In a metaphorical sense, such transformation exemplifies brain intelligence which leads to contemporary human bright discoveries, exquisite creative accomplishments and important research findings.
To our understanding, the myth also points to the continuous interaction between the divine and the earthy, ideas and actions. Throughout the centuries written language and books have been prime forms of knowledge sharing and research support. Therefore the bird holds a book with his mouth as a symbol of knowledge and research.
We believe that music is a fundamental human biological trait and a human capacity to formulate organized, meaningful sounds. More than that, it is an embodied phenomenon, a mindful social practice, a creative experience and exciting narrative in the journey of life. At the same time it is a phenomenon that has always attracted human research, which in turn, enriches and advances music making, learning and participation. Our efforts are nested in the often called ‘cradle of western civilization and culture’ the great sea, the Mediterranean.