Members of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra show, beyond orchestral projects too, how diverse, ambitious and accomplished the paths of the young musicians who make up SMO are. We are always delighted to follow their successes, performances and new musical stories — from radio concerts and special studio projects to representative performances at important international events.
This time we are pleased to highlight three recent activities by our SMO members, which confirm that the Slovenian Youth Orchestra is a place of strong musical personalities, dedication and growth.
Martin Tavčar on Radio Ars in the series Mladi mladim
On 23 April 2026, Radio Ars broadcast an episode of the programme Mladi virtuozi, dedicated to the trumpeter Martin Tavčar. The programme features a concert from the Mladi mladim series of Glasbena mladina ljubljanska, held on 26 November 2025 in the Kosovel Hall of Cankarjev dom. In the episode description, Martin is introduced as a trumpeter currently in his third year at the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet and as a musician with considerable orchestral experience at home and abroad.
Performances like this are an important indication of where dedication, talent and serious musical work can lead. At the same time, they confirm that members of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra are also actively helping to shape the wider Slovenian music scene.
Karin Antunović and Lejla Vrčkovnik on Izštekani on Val 202
On 21 April 2026, Val 202 published the programme Izštekani Before Time at Cankarjev dom, in which our members Karin Antunović on violin and Lejla Vrčkovnik on viola also performed as part of Before Time's expanded line-up. The programme followed the band's special concert project marking the release of their second album, Vse Kar Smo, in which the string extension played an important part in shaping the sound of the performance.
Collaborations like this nicely show the breadth of our members' musical activity. SMO members are not only present in the symphonic repertoire but also take part confidently in more contemporary, genre-open and creatively diverse projects.
SMO members at King’s Day, the Dutch King's Birthday
Another special moment for the Slovenian Youth Orchestra was our members' performance at the reception for King’s Day, hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Slovenia. According to the embassy's announcement, the reception took place at Ljubljana Castle and was particularly significant this year, as it marks 35 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and 25 years of the Netherlands Embassy in Slovenia.
Members of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra were invited to the reception and, with great honour, performed the national anthems of Slovenia and the Netherlands on this occasion. This special moment was provided by our horn players Benjamin Rotar, Dominik Kavčič, Gorazd Ambrožič and Manca Božičnik.
We are proud that it was our members whose music helped shape an evening that celebrated connection, friendship and the long-standing ties between the two countries.
SMO members' activities confirm the strength of the orchestral community
Moments like these are more than just good news. They are proof that members of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra carry their knowledge, musicianship and experience into a variety of settings — concert stages, radio programmes, chamber and contemporary ensembles, and official events of international significance.
We are always delighted to follow where our musicians' paths lead. We listen to you, we follow you and we cheer you on.
