Špičikuc Orchestra – a phenomenon from Sv. Peter above Dragonja
Thirty years ago, in the small Istrian village of Sv. Peter, the dream of a group of children began to take shape: to spend more time together and, at the same time, make music. The initiative was taken by Jani Forte, who gathered a few enthusiastic youngsters and they simply began to play. Soon, the need for professional guidance became clear, and Gordana Buh Žgajner joined the ensemble. She remains their conductor and artistic leader to this day – for an impressive 25 years.
Under her attentive and passionate direction, the Špičikuci have grown, evolved, and taken on increasingly demanding repertoires. A crucial contribution to their unique sound has also come from the outstanding musician, trombonist, and arranger Vid Žgajner, who has written nearly one hundred arrangements for the orchestra. It is thanks to him that the Špičikuc Orchestra sounds so distinctive and original. For many years, rehearsals were hard work – sometimes even exhausting – but Gordana never compromised on expressive quality or technical perfection. This is how the foundations were built on which the ensemble still stands today.
In the meantime, of course, life happened: some members moved away, others stopped playing, some became parents and devoted time to their families. New faces joined, the orchestra grew, changed, and continued to live. As a result, for a few years it was heard less often – as the members themselves say, “children always come first.”
But now they are back!
With a major concert at the Portorož Auditorium, they announce an exciting new return – full of energy, fresh ideas, and new compositions. Alongside some old favorites, such as Hot House Ball and Rossanna, the audience will also hear a refreshed repertoire.
A special feature of the Špičikuci is that they are often joined by outstanding Slovenian musicians – friends of Gordana and Vid – who gladly support individual sections and contribute to the musical growth of the amateur members. In this way, the ensemble has moved beyond the boundaries of a simple village band, becoming an orchestra that brings together musicians from various parts of Slovenia.
Above all, however, friendship and love for music always come first.
Organizer: Avditorij Portorož-Portorose
