Harmonious melodies took over the Gallus Hall in Cankarjev dom on 27 March 2023, as the Police Orchestra celebrated 75th anniversary in a working mode, by holding an anniversary concert. The guests were treated to an exciting music programme, diligently selected by the Orchestra conductor Nejc Bečan.
The anniversary concert was attended by the acting Director General of the Police Senad Jušić, who congratulated the orchestra and its members and thanked them for their efforts and contribution to the positive image of Slovenian police and underlined the orchestra's important role in the cultural and art sphere.
Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar also congratulated the orchestra and awarded the orchestra with a commemorative badge for its achievements and successful work. Head of the Orchestra Roman Grabner accepted the badge on behalf of the orchestra.
Into the future with courage and music
The selection of songs for the anniversary concert was no coincidence as every piece told a story of the past and of what is truly valuable in life. Leonard Bernstein's Three Dance Variations, Nejc Bečan's Prelude to a Kiss … and Mouvements Frénétiques by Alexandre Kosmicki highlighted the values of love and friendship, the guiding lights of our everyday lives.
The first section of music was accompanied by a performance of a dance ensemble consisting of dancers Mateja Železnik, Lukas Bareman, Filippo Jorio and Matteo Moretto, performing a choreography by Lukas Zuschlag, who created the dance interpretation in cooperation with the conductor.
The life energy that is the key driver of our lives was the main theme of the second section of the musical programme, with Winds of Power by Nigel Hess and Re(new)al by Viet Cuong. The conductor Nejc Bečan chose the songs to tell that a life filled with purpose and essence is resolute and fearless and that our existence is nurtured by boundless energies. We may therefore look into the future filled with peace and weave new stories towards the times ahead, as conveyed in the final song Bring Light in the World by Carol Brittin Chambers
Joining the Police orchestra on stage were percussionists and renowned musicians Katarina Kukovič and Petra Vidmar and Enej Nik Juran and Peter Juretina, who are often invited to guest with orchestras thanks to their solemnly uplifting performances.
The honourable anniversary of the Police orchestra was also celebrated with an exhibition curated by the custodian of the Slovenian police museum Darinka Kolar Osvald. The exhibition was dedicated to the presentation of the present Police orchestra, as well as its milestones and development through time.
A 75 year journey towards top quality
The Police orchestra plays a very important role in the cultural and artistic sphere. In the 75 years of its existence, it grew from a small enthusiastic brass band into a professional classical orchestra that sets the example for similar orchestras in Europe and across the world. The orchestra’s collaborations with Slovenian and international cultural institutions, organisations and recording companies, as well as countless requests for concerts bear witness to its exceptional quality.
