On 2–3 June 2026, the MusicSphere consortium gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece, for the first Use Case Meeting of the project. Hosted by the International Hellenic University (IHU) and LUTHIEROS, the meeting brought together project partners to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and explore the cultural heritage that lies at the heart of MusicSphere’s research and innovation activities.
Exploring the origins of Pipe Organ Heritage
The first day was dedicated to cultural visits and heritage activities connected to MusicSphere’s first use case, which focuses on the Hydraulis of Dion, the ancient predecessor of the modern pipe organ.
Partners travelled to Katerini to visit the Greek Evangelical Church, home to the largest pipe organ installed within a church in Greece. Built by Weigle and installed in 1980, the instrument features 22 registers and a fully mechanical action system, making it a significant landmark in Greece’s organ heritage. The visit provided consortium members with valuable insights into the preservation, performance, and cultural significance of pipe organs, which remain a central focus of the project.
The consortium then visited the Archaeological Museum of Dion, where participants explored the history of the Hydraulis of Dion, the oldest surviving pipe organ ever discovered and the earliest known keyboard instrument in history. Invented in Alexandria during the 3rd century BCE, the hydraulis is considered the technological ancestor of the modern pipe organ and represents a remarkable link between ancient innovation and Europe’s musical heritage. Unearthed in Dion in 1992, the instrument remains one of the most important discoveries in the history of music and organ development.
The Hydraulis of Dion is particularly significant for MusicSphere, as it forms the basis of the project’s first use case. Although the instrument is an extraordinary archaeological discovery, it has survived only in a highly fragmented state, with many of its original components missing. As a result, it is impossible to fully understand how it originally functioned or sounded through the physical remains alone.
To address this challenge, MusicSphere will develop a Digital Twin of the Hydraulis, reconstructing missing components through a combination of archaeological evidence, historical sources, material analysis, and advanced digital technologies. The project will combine 3D reconstruction, acoustic modelling, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies to recreate both the instrument and its original performance environment, enabling researchers and the public to experience the soundscape of one of the most important musical inventions of the ancient world.
The day concluded with a visit to the SEIKILO Museum of Ancient Music in Thessaloniki, including a guided tour and live concert. Managed by MusicSphere partner LUTHIEROS, SEIKILO is the world’s first interactive museum dedicated to ancient music, offering visitors the opportunity to hear, touch, and play reconstructed ancient instruments while discovering the musical traditions of the ancient world. Particularly relevant to MusicSphere, the museum hosts a reconstruction of the Hydraulis of Dion, providing a unique opportunity to experience the sound of the earliest known pipe organ and better understand its connection to the evolution of modern organ heritage.
Reviewing progress across the Project
The second day was dedicated to consortium meetings hosted at the International Hellenic University. The International Hellenic University also showcased the latest 3D reconstruction of the Hydraulis of Dion, highlighting ongoing work towards its digital restoration and Digital Twin development.Partners reviewed progress across several work packages and discussed upcoming milestones, deliverables, and technical developments.
Key discussions focused on artificial intelligence algorithms, toolkit architecture, the mapping of AI technologies for cultural heritage applications, initial digitisation activities, dataset preparation, and the design of the advanced MusicSphere tools architecture. Dedicated sessions were also held on the development of the project’s toolkits, allowing partners to align technical requirements, exchange expertise, and coordinate future implementation activities.
The meeting marked an important step forward for MusicSphere, strengthening collaboration and laying the foundations for the development of the Hydraulis of Dion Digital Twin.