Mlada Srbadija was assembled in 2002 as part of the Gracanica Church School Programme.
The history of children playing tambure in Windsor goes back to the 1940's when Matija Stankovich formed a group called "Srbadija". Until the late 1970's, there were children who played tambure, either as part of the Church School or Cika Mate taught them privately.
In 2002, Dr. Art Stoyshin was asked if he knew where to find tambure, so once again children could learn to play songs of their heritage. Being a tambura player himself, he asked his friends in Canada and the United States if they had any instruments for sale. From Schererville, Indiana, Milan Opacich knew of some instruments that had fallen silent. Milan, who made tambure, taught how to play as well as being an active tambura player himself, thought he could help. The Gracanica Church Board agreed that tambura music, along with Orthodox religion, church music, Serbian language and dance were all important parts of children's heritage.
So, Dr. Stoyshin went to Schererville, and bought 13 instruments through the generosity of our church -primas, bracs, cellos and bugarias. He personally donated 2 more instruments. Having caught Windsor's tambura enthusiasm, Milan Opacich sent along, music, fingering charts, picks, and strings to maintain the instruments. A problem for us was now the bass. We had the tambura bass from the 1940's, ( which is actually a rare 1920's original tambura bass ), but the front face had shattered. Milan Opacich was able to build a new face, using the original mother of pearl inlay from the old instrument! Finally, we could put children together with instruments.
Lily Ciganovich was able reconfigure the class schedule to open up time for the tambura lessons to be a part of the programme. In September 2002, 9 children, ages 10-13 picked up tambure for the first time. Gordana Grmusa, who had learned to play tambura from Cika Mate, was the teacher. The children learned how to pick and tremolo their instruments. Remembering Cika Mate and "Srbadija" as well as the bass and original prima, the group was named 'Mlada Srbadija'.
By January of 2003, the group played for the first time, at the Sv. Sava celebration. In the fall of 2003, Dr. Janice Drakich of Windsor donated 11 more instruments. This gift opened up availability of instruments, so that by 2004, there were 21 children playing tambura, in two different classes.
"Mlada Srbadija" has played for Windsor's Carrousel of Nations, Sljivofest, SSS Gracanica's Fall Concert, Serbian Singing Federation Festival in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Serbian Heritage Museum opening of the Music Exhibit featuring a History of Tambura Music in Windsor, 2004 Serbian Day, Vidovdan in Niagara Falls, and the 2009 Kiwanis Music Festival.
This group was included in Tamburitza America. Tamburitza America is a historic journey through America from the origins of the tamburitza tradition in the country's industrial towns where work revolved around mines, mills and factories. It recalls vibrant communities where tamburitza was heard, in boarding houses pool halls, saloons and later in taverns, church haslsrestaurants and balroooms.
The history of children playing tambure in Windsor goes back to the 1940's when Matija Stankovich formed a group called "Srbadija". Until the late 1970's, there were children who played tambure, either as part of the Church School or Cika Mate taught them privately.
In 2002, Dr. Art Stoyshin was asked if he knew where to find tambure, so once again children could learn to play songs of their heritage. Being a tambura player himself, he asked his friends in Canada and the United States if they had any instruments for sale. From Schererville, Indiana, Milan Opacich knew of some instruments that had fallen silent. Milan, who made tambure, taught how to play as well as being an active tambura player himself, thought he could help. The Gracanica Church Board agreed that tambura music, along with Orthodox religion, church music, Serbian language and dance were all important parts of children's heritage.
So, Dr. Stoyshin went to Schererville, and bought 13 instruments through the generosity of our church -primas, bracs, cellos and bugarias. He personally donated 2 more instruments. Having caught Windsor's tambura enthusiasm, Milan Opacich sent along, music, fingering charts, picks, and strings to maintain the instruments. A problem for us was now the bass. We had the tambura bass from the 1940's, ( which is actually a rare 1920's original tambura bass ), but the front face had shattered. Milan Opacich was able to build a new face, using the original mother of pearl inlay from the old instrument! Finally, we could put children together with instruments.
Lily Ciganovich was able reconfigure the class schedule to open up time for the tambura lessons to be a part of the programme. In September 2002, 9 children, ages 10-13 picked up tambure for the first time. Gordana Grmusa, who had learned to play tambura from Cika Mate, was the teacher. The children learned how to pick and tremolo their instruments. Remembering Cika Mate and "Srbadija" as well as the bass and original prima, the group was named 'Mlada Srbadija'.
By January of 2003, the group played for the first time, at the Sv. Sava celebration. In the fall of 2003, Dr. Janice Drakich of Windsor donated 11 more instruments. This gift opened up availability of instruments, so that by 2004, there were 21 children playing tambura, in two different classes.
"Mlada Srbadija" has played for Windsor's Carrousel of Nations, Sljivofest, SSS Gracanica's Fall Concert, Serbian Singing Federation Festival in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Serbian Heritage Museum opening of the Music Exhibit featuring a History of Tambura Music in Windsor, 2004 Serbian Day, Vidovdan in Niagara Falls, and the 2009 Kiwanis Music Festival.
This group was included in Tamburitza America. Tamburitza America is a historic journey through America from the origins of the tamburitza tradition in the country's industrial towns where work revolved around mines, mills and factories. It recalls vibrant communities where tamburitza was heard, in boarding houses pool halls, saloons and later in taverns, church haslsrestaurants and balroooms.