The History of The Junior Orchestra of the Basic Art School named after Bedrich Smetana in Pilsen

The “Junior Orchestra” was founded in September 1999. Almost all sixty members of this ensemble are pupils of the Basic Art School named after Bedrich Smetana in Pilsen. Instrumental cast (flutes, oboe, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, french horn, tube, percussion, bass guitar and keyboards) proves, that this ensemble is not a classical brass band. It’s the orchestra which has the repertoire full of the classical brass music (polka, waltz), dance, film and pop music. The art leader and at the same time the conductor is the teacher of Basic Art School Mr. Milan Bacik, teachers Mr. Jan Bodnar and Mr. Jan Slegr help him with the organization. This ensemble regularly holds educative concerts for primary schools and public appearance for Pilsen city. It arranges exchange stays and concerts with foreign ensembles (Poland, France). It also performs on various musical festivals inside and abroad (Federal Republic of Germany, Sweden and Italy). The orchestra issued the best pieces on 3 CDs.

The band collaborated with TV on the project about the czech music in 2010 when it celebrated the 10th anniversary of its foundation. Still in 2010 the band won the championship of Primary Art School brass bands and advanced to a national round, where it won the 1st place and Gold Zone in its category. The band also won the same price on the international competition in Lesno in Poland.