Choir - Slovenska filharmonija

Slovenian Philharmonic Choir

The beginnings of organised choral activities in Slovenia can be found in the work of the predecessors of the Slovenian Philharmonic. We know that the Philharmonic Society had its own vocal ensemble with which it presented concerts from the end of the eighteenth century onwards. In the nineteenth century, at a time of strong national aspirations, the central Slovenian music organisation Glasbena matica founded its own choir, whose members also performed successfully abroad. After the Second World War and the dissolution of Glasbena matica, the choir was revived as part of the Slovenian Philharmonic. In 1976, the professional choral tradition was interrupted for some time, until 1991, when the Slovenian Chamber Choir was re-established as an association of special social importance. This choir has been operating under the auspices of the Slovenian Philharmonic since 1998.

The choir was led by Mirko Cuderman for two decades. From 2012 until the present day, Martina Batič, Borut Smrekar and Gregor Klančič have respectively served as its artistic directors. In addition to the most prominent Slovenian conductors, the choir has also been conducted by many renowned international artists, such as Eric Ericson, Tõnu Kaljuste, Grete Pedersen, Kaspars Putniņš, Günther Theuring and Stephen Layton. As part of its subscription series, the choir prepares concerts of a cappella and vocal-instrumental music, as well as regularly collaborating with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra in the performance of vocal-instrumental works. As the only professional concert vocal ensemble in Slovenia, the choir devotes a great deal of attention to the preservation of the Slovenian musical heritage. Since 2016, the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir has been a member of the European Network of Professional Chamber Choirs TENSO.

Stephen Layton

New Principal Conductor of the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir

Dear visitors and music lovers,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the Principal Conductor of the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir. Since joining this exceptional ensemble of singers, I have been continually inspired by their dedication, passion and talent. Leading a choir of such calibre is a privilege and an honour for any conductor.

The upcoming season, which I have designed in collaboration with Artistic Director Gregor Klančič, will see me conduct five of the eleven concerts. The programme will feature works by renowned Slovenian composers from across the ages, from Gallus to the present day, and a selection of international choral repertoire.

Of particular note is the inclusion of works by Arvo Pärt, one of the world’s most significant contemporary composers, who celebrates his 90^th birthday in 2025. I am confident that his meditative and spiritual music will resonate deeply with you.

I look forward to working with you, dear friends of music. In the coming months, we will explore the rich world of choral music together, creating unforgettable musical moments. I promise to share my knowledge and experience with you, and to strive to present the full diversity and power of choral singing.

Singing is good for you, good for your soul, and good for your community. I therefore invite you to join us at our concerts and to immerse yourselves in the magic of choral music.

I eagerly await our first encounter!

Warm regards,

Stephen Layton

Jerica Bukovec

E: jerica.bukovec@zborsf.si
T: 01 24 10 804

Guest conductor

Jerica Bukovec graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Music. During her studies in Ljubljana, she spent a year in Malmö, Sweden, in the choral conducting class of Dan-Olof Stenlund. She continued her studies at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, where she completed her master’s degree under the mentorship of Anders Eby, with whom she continued to study for an additional year. During her studies in Sweden, Jerica Bukovec performed with a group of sixteen professional musicians, as well as recording and giving concerts with the Swedish Radio Choir, the Berlin Radio Choir and the Stuttgart Chamber Choir. During her last two years in Sweden, she was the conductor of three Stockholm-based choirs: the KFUM Chamber Choir, the Stockholm Chamber Choir and the Stockholm Academic Male Choir. After returning to Slovenia, she served as the artistic director of the Ave Chamber Choir for four years. She has also collaborated with the RTV Slovenia Chamber Choir and the Slovenian Children’s Choir.

Among Jerica Bukovec’s most notable achievements are gaining third place in the Europa Cantat Competition for Young Choral Conductors (Ljubljana, 2009) and being selected as one of three finalists in the Eric Ericson Competition (Stockholm, 2010). She also gained the best conductor award at the Rimini Choir Competition in 2016.

Jerica Bukovec has been rewarded for her talent with various scholarships, including four scholarships from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, as well as scholarships from the Slovenian Ministry of Culture and the Ljubljana Music Society. She has also held Eric Ericson and Dan-Olof Stenlund scholarships.

Since 2015, Jerica Bukovec has been the conductor of the APZ Tone Tomšič Choir of the University of Ljubljana, with which she has collaborated successfully both in Slovenia and abroad. In 2017, she collaborated with the ensemble for contemporary music MD7 and performed with the Slovenian Chamber Theatre in Pavel Mihelčič’s chamber opera Božji delec for three singers and four percussionists. Since November 2018, she has served as a permanent guest conductor of Slovenian Philharmonic Choir.

Slovenian Philharmonic Choir members

Choir

sopran

Blanka Čakš Bulc
Helena Čebul
Monika Černe
Polona Gregorc
Anamarija Kastelic
Mateja Langus
Katarina Lenarčič
Suzana Omejc
Monika Popivoda
Renata Vereš Klančič
Urška Šemrov

alt

Urška Bernik
Katjuša Košir Bukovec
Emilija Lavriha
Federica Lo Pinto
Marta Marolt
Ana Potočnik
Meta Prelovšek
Darja Vevoda
Vladimira Vremšak

tenor

Gašper Banovec
Igor Drnovšek
Rok Ferenčak
Luka Juteršek
Robert Kožar
Fernando P. Mejías
Peter Pirnat
Krištof Strnad

bass

Žiga Berložnik
Miha Bole
Mateo Debevec
Martin Kozjek
Matevž Kink
Tomaž Koder
Tadej Osvald
Rok Rakar
Tomaž Štular
Boris Vremšak

accompaniment

Gioele Andreolli

Orchestra Auditions