Greece developed a rich array of traditional, popular, and art music, which diasporic Greeks took with them. In Greek American communities, music has been an essential component – linking the past to the present, the distant to the near, and bonding members with an embrace of memories and narratives. Between 1896 and 1942, an estimated 2,000 recordings were made in America, and thousands have since appeared. They encompass traditional music from all regions, and emerging urban genres, stylistic changes, and songs of social commentary. This talk profiles the scope, practice, and development of Greek music in America with attention to its relationship to ethnic identity.

The Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) highly anticipated 2025 Greek History and Culture Seminars has commenced with an outstanding start, drawing large audiences eager to engage with thought-provoking discussions led by some of the brightest young scholars.