Ljubljana University Symphonic Winds sprang up per initiative of the university’s students and their conductor Simon Perčič in spring 2007. Such a musical assembly is unique in our country because it looks up to the so-called “symphonic winds”, which was unknown in our country until recently but very well known throughout the United States.

Press Presentation

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Simon Perčič   Ljubljana University Symphonic Winds
 

The orchestra is represented by students from various faculties in the University of Ljubljana who come from all parts of Slovenia. They are connected by their love for music and a common wish to create new quality music projects. The artistic director and conductor is Simon Perčič, in charge of the organizational direction is Marko Sever.

 

Mentors, top Slovene musicians, soloists and educators, such as Dušan Sodja – clarinet, Betka Kotnik Bizjak – saxophone, David Špec – trumpet, Robert Petrič – French horn and Matej Krajter- trombone, help the orchestra’s creative work.

 

The orchestra carried out its first concert on a large scale, no less than with the world premiere of The Queen Symphony written by composer Tolga Kashif and arranged by Erik Somers. This complex six-sentence orchestra suite which was based on the motifs of the legendary band Queen music, inspired the audience at the premiere concert on 23rd May 2007.

 

Ljubljana University Symphonic Winds builds its recognition on combining fresh ideas and diversity with the quality of its performance. It doesn’t just follow the contemporary music trends around the world but also establishes its own original view of music. It doesn’t only perform the most interesting foreign musical literature but also encourages the local authors to create new music. It wishes to bind together broader fields of art and aims towards linking various local and foreign organizations and festivals.

 

Their convincingness and youthful energy that reflects on stage wells from the pleasant atmosphere ruling among the members and their sincere commitment to music. Thus the orchestra is a welcome enrichment to the cultural life of the capital.

 

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The positive response of the public gave the orchestra a fresh impetus to their further work. Ljubljana University Symphonic Winds is already intensively preparing for the Christmas concert with the soprano Alenka Gotar as the guest performer. Prior to that the orchestra, with its alluring programme, took part in the grand opening of the Technological Park Ljubljana. In April 2008 the orchestra is preparing an interesting journey through time and heterogeneous musical types entitled From the March to Rap in collaboration with the duet Slon in Sadež and in June the orchestra is traveling to Italy, where it was invited to perform a gala closing concert of the “Bertiolo” wind band competition.

 

The conductor and artistic director Simon Perčič graduated at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana (trombone). After graduation he perfected his studies with professors R. Bob, A. Mazzucc and B. van Dijk. He cooperated with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, The Symphonic Orchestra RTV Slovenia and The Opera Giocosa orchestra of Trieste. He studied conducting with professor Jan Cober at the ISEB Institut and at maestro George Pehlianian’s master class. He also concluded a one-year study in conducting symphonic orchestras with professor Jorma Panula in Florence. He took part in international festivals in Lisbon, Valencia, Sao Paolo, The Wind Band festival in London and the MID Europe.