Goran Hlebec, a talented musician and teacher from Zagreb, a long-time member of the renowned Ensemble Lado from Zagreb, transferred his musical experience into a tambura program organised by HKUD Lado from Geelong this January.
Nineteen students, aged 9 to 17, learned to play the traditional Croatian instrument – the tambura.
The goal of the program was to provide students with a solid foundation for playing the tambura. Over the course of 17 days, from Monday, January 6 to Wednesday, January 22, students participated in 15 intensive rehearsals. The progress was outstanding, and by the end of the program, the students exceeded all expectations.
Each student received one of Lado’s instruments for learning and practice at home, ensuring they had access to high-quality instruments.
They were given a bisernica or brač, while one student played the bugarija and another played the bass. The students not only learned the basics of playing but also began reading musical notes and mastering the intricacies of Croatian tambura music. By the end of the program, they successfully learned four traditional Croatian songs, which was an impressive achievement considering the short time frame. – said Anita Jurleta, dance teacher and president of HKUD Lado.
The program culminated on January 22 with an emotional performance by the young tambura players, who performed in front of their families, friends, and society members. They will continue their training with rehearsals under the guidance of Anita Marinović, an experienced musician.
The success of the program in January 2025 has laid the foundation for a sustainable future for tambura music in Geelong, with a new generation of musicians ready to continue the tradition. – Anita Jurleta, president of HKUD Lado Geelong.
Assistance for the program’s realization also came from Croatia through a public call for the submission of projects by Croatian emigrant associations in foreign and European countries for 2024, with a funding amount of 4950 euros.
We sincerely thank all the families, members, teachers, and board members who supported the program. Your dedication, hard work, and belief in the importance of preserving Croatian traditions have helped shape the new generation of HKUD Lado Geelong, and we look forward to seeing where this musical journey will take them. – emphasised Anita Jurleta.
Tekst: Suzana Fantov
Foto: HKUD LADO Geelong