Thanks to the Sounds of Change’s call for Orchestral Residency at the Serbian National Theatre, Andrijana Durmišević (violin), Maša Filipović (viola), and Fedor Ruškuc (double bass) were chosen to have the opportunity to work closely with orchestra professionals from September until December of 2023.

Their orchestral journey commenced on October 13th at the Orchestra Rehearsal Room, where the young musicians immersed themselves in the preparatory work for Leo Delibes’ Ballet Coppélia. The culmination of their efforts materialized in a captivating premiere performance on October 29th, gracing the distinguished main stage, “Jovan Djordjevic.”

The stark reality remains that young classical musicians in Serbia find themselves in a less advantageous position compared to their European counterparts, primarily due to the economic challenges facing our nation. Furthermore, Serbia’s non-membership in the European Union further limits avenues for professional development, accentuating the necessity for initiatives such as the Sounds of Change project, funded by the European Union.

By fostering an environment that afforded young musicians the invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in a professional setting within esteemed institutions such as the Serbian National Theatre, these budding artists have been profoundly enriched. Their experience served as a jumpstart into better career opportunities.