Officially concluded: the Summer Orchestra Camp (POK26) – the flagship educational and artistic project of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra (SMO). The young musicians have behind them a week of intensive creative work, unforgettable time together and top-class music-making, culminating in a sold-out concert in the hall of the Slovenian Philharmonic.
Year after year, the Summer Orchestra Camp confirms its mission: to create an open, safe and stimulating environment in which all eager young musicians can experience the unique energy of playing in a large symphony orchestra. The exceptionally high proportion of returnees – young talents who happily come back to the orchestra every summer – proves that the camp is building a truly close-knit “extended musical family”. For many, POK is the first step that in time also leads to regular involvement in SMO projects and, further still, to our musicians working in the international professional arena.
A sold-out Slovenian Philharmonic and standing ovations
The common thread of this year's camp was entitled MOČ BESEDE – a project exploring the meeting point where original spoken-word art and the power of symphonic sound intertwine and raise important social questions.
Moč besede, a fusion of hip-hop and symphonic sound
At the closing concert on Sunday, 23 August, in the sold-out hall of the Slovenian Philharmonic, the young orchestra under the baton of conductor Živa Ploj Peršuh was joined by exceptional guests:
- the distinctive rapper from Radgona, Leopold I.,
- guitarist and music producer Vid Turica,
- and composer and arranger Matija Krečič, who masterfully interwove rap poetry and contemporary rhythms with orchestral colours.
The standing ovation from an enthusiastic audience was the finest confirmation that, by blending genres, young musicians are breaking down stereotypes and pushing the boundaries of classical music.
A story of connection: POK26
The pulse of this year's camp clearly confirms that the Slovenian Youth Orchestra acts as a true cultural connector of young talent. This year the heart of the camp was made up of 86 musicians who, in addition to music mentors – professors – were also surrounded by young mentors. In this way, 74 participants gained invaluable knowledge under the watchful eye of 12 experienced SMO members.
The ensemble's geographical and educational diversity is particularly valuable. Participants travelled to Ljubljana from more than 12 Slovenian statistical regions – most of them from Osrednjeslovenska, Savinjska, Gorenjska and Podravska – and were also joined by peers from neighbouring Austria. The young musicians brought experience and knowledge from no fewer than 48 different music schools, conservatoires and academies to the shared orchestral sound.
The community itself was diverse and exceptionally energetic: the average age of regular participants was 15 (the youngest participant was just 10), and the orchestra was united by the remarkable creative energy of 54 girls (62.8%) and 32 boys (37.2%).
A creative and safe environment for developing young talent
At the close of the camp, artistic director and conductor Živa Ploj Peršuh highlighted the importance of such projects for the wider development of young people:
“POK is not merely about honing orchestral technique; it is a safe and creative environment where young people develop their artistic breadth, self-confidence and sense of community. When you combine top-level orchestral discipline with the direct energy of contemporary poetry, young people realise that their music truly has the power to move the world.”
Thank you all, and see you in the new season!
Our sincere thanks to all participants for their unflagging energy, to parents for their trust, to the young mentors for their invaluable support and to our loyal audience, who filled every last corner of the Slovenian Philharmonic.
POK26 is over, but the Slovenian Youth Orchestra's season is only just getting into its stride! Follow our upcoming projects, concerts and initiatives on the official website www.smo.ngo and on social media Instagram, Facebook and the LinkedIn.
