Upcoming Winds of Change Performance!

The first Wind Ensemble of BiH has been invited to perform for United Nations Day being celebrated in Sarajevo on October 23rd.

The ensemble was invited to perform both due to it's image as an ensemble representing the ethnic diversity of Bosnia-Herzegovina and because of the high quality of the music they offer.  The group previously performed at a UN Conference in Sarajevo last fall and was received with great enthusiasm by all who attended.

On the 23rd the group will perform a mixture of regional and international music.  Pieces like "Jovano Jovanke" and "Sitno Kolo" will represent the Balkans while Piazolla's "Chiquilin de Bachin" and Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" will offer international flavors and reflect the group's versatility.

It is very exciting for the Winds of Change to be offered opportunities to perform for new audiences and keeps the musicians fresh and ready for whatever tour they will embark upon next!

"Spring & Swing"

Preparations for Winds of Change spring 2009 tour began as soon as Triangle Tour ended. Selecting new songs, planning venues, considering guest performers are just a few of the activities which kept the artistic team busy. Last week all the planning came together in the "Spring & Swing" tour in Banja Luka and Sarajevo. The repertoire for the tour featured an eclectic mix of music- including Jazz, Classical, and Traditional Balkan.

The ensemble members came together from all over Bosnia-Herzegovina and various parts of the world to rehearse together. As always, the ensemble was led by Prof. Willem van Merwijk from the Netherlands. He arranged some wonderful new pieces for this tour and included some favorites from tours past. Trombonist, Jaume Gavilán Agulló, rejoined the group (from Spain via the Netherlands) to add his own talent and youthful energy. Shira Majoni, violist from Israel, returned for her second time, as the group's single string player. And for the first time the group was joined by oboist Irma Kort from the Netherlands.

The local members of the group were also mostly long-time members: Tina Korać Hasanović (piccolo), Zerina Herenda (flute), Esma Sulejmanagić (flute), Tanja Malić (oboe), Oliver Pinter (oboe), Tibor Masa (bass clarinet), Belma Kahrović (alto saxophone), Timur Sijarić (Tenor Saxophone), Ivan Sušac (trumpet), Ivan Ščitinski (trumpet), and Sabina Šehović (xylophone). Tanja and Oliver came for the week of rehearsal and performance from Banja Luka. Karmen Pervitić, who performed with the group once before, was able to rejoin the ensemble for "Spring & Swing." Tina, who traveled from Mostar to join the group, came despite being in the final stages of recovering from the flu. The local professional musicians who returned to the group again are Adnan Cico (clarinet), Zlatan Mujkić (piano), Enes Seforović (Acoustic Bass), and Davor Maraus (Drums). Adnan was one of the founding members of the group and continues to be an important source for artistic direction and training of the student musicians.

The ensemble was proud to welcome guest singer, Marija Šestić. Marija is from Banja Luka and was the Eurovision contestant for Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2007. She sang George Gershwin's classic, "The Man I Love" and the traditional ballads "Zajdi, zajdi," "Jovano Jovanke," and "Stade se Cv'jece Rosom Kititi." Her renditions of all of these in Banja Luka and Sarajevo were extremely beautiful and moving. Winds of Change could not have asked for a more lovely guest on their tour- the ensemble looks forward to playing with her again in the future.

Willem and Irma arrived in Sarajevo on Monday afternoon, in time to experience Sarajevo's earthquake in the wee hours of the morning. (We could then joke that the earth moves when Winds of Change gathers together.) Shira and Jaume arrived on Tuesday in the midst of the start of rehearsals. Wednesday, Marija joined the ensemble's rehearsals and the group was complete. Thursday was another full day of rehearsal with travel and concert performances on Friday and Saturday.

It is always amazing how much time and energy the members devote out of their already hectic schedules to take part in the rehearsals and concerts. The group is extremely dedicated to creating the best possible performances. They are also very loyal to one another and clearly enjoy the time spent together- whether it is during rehearsals, traveling on the bus, or celebrating after a performance. When everyone comes together it always seems as though no time has passed since the previous tour.

The concert in Banja Luka was at the Children's Theater, which was a brand new venue for Winds of Change. This was their second performance in Banja Luka, where they first performed at Banjski Dvor in December 2007. Irma was also making a return to the city, where she had previously led workshops and masterclasses for oboe at the Fine Arts Academy. The group played beautifully and enjoyed the opportunity to connect and reconnect with people and musicians of Banja Luka.

The performance on Saturday, was in Sarajevo at the Center for Children and Youth in Grbavica. The ensemble drew a full and very enthusiastic audience, which included friends, family and new fans coming to experience the group for the first time.

The weather also warmed up just in time for the "spring" theme. While it was still gray and even snowing the week before, sunshine and warmer temperatures drew people out to socialize and enjoy some live music. "Spring & Swing" was yet another excellent Winds of Change performance.

Report: Triangle Tour

Winds of Change enjoyed the successful completion of their Triangle Tour from during the week of November 10th to 16th in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia.








The week started off with a bang on Monday the 10th as Willem van Merwijk, Jaume Gavilán Agulló and Shira Majoni from abroad and Tina Korać-Hasanović, Oliver Pinter, and Tanja Malić from various parts of BiH all arrived in Sarajevo to begin rehearsal for the Tour. From the moment the musicians picked up their instruments to begin practice at the Youth Center in Grbavica, there was a new excitement and energy in the air. Novo Linđo, the very first song the ensemble rehearsed together and which incorporates traditional Dalmatian elements, promised to be a real show-stopper. Those watching from the side-lines struggled to sit still.

Tuesday and Wednesday brought continued progress in preparation and an exciting press conference where donors had to chance to express their motivations for supporting the project. His Excellency, Ambassador Karel E. Vosskühler of the Netherlands attended as well as Mr. Gonzalo Luque, Cultural Attaché of the Spanish Embassy. To conclude, Winds of Change performed to offer a taste of the concerts to come to the press and their supporters.


A mini-performance was given on Thursday night, November 13th at the Radon Plaza Hotel in Sarajevo. The ensemble's presence was requested for a regional UNDP Conference there to showcase for international guests both the talents of Bosnian and Herzegovinan musicians and the importance of cultural collaboration. The group played an abbreviated version of the Triangle Tour repertoire which was met with an overwhelming demand for encore. The evening was a positive omen for things to come.

On Friday morning the group packed onto a bus bright and early (nothing new after their adventure to the Netherlands last spring) to head to their first concert venue in Trebinje. The road wound precariously through the mountains and the weather became increasingly gray, but everyone arrived safe and sound and ready for action.







The audience that night at Dom Mladih in Trebinje was small- but this was no surprise. The adventurous blend of music Winds of Change performs, which combines traditional, contemporary, Balkan and Jazz influences was a whole new experience for the citizens of the small town. However, those who were curious and open enough to come investigate were not disappointed- the energy in the hall was palpable. By the time the dancers from Montenegro took the stage to conclude the concert, people could hardly stay in their seats. The Tour was off to an excellent start.

Crossing the border into Montenegro the next day to get to Podgorica was a slow process. While Winds of Change may be run and organized by "Musicians without Borders" this title meant little to those at the Border Control. Entering a new country with a large group proved to be tedious. Ultimately the ensemble made it to Podgorica though and prepared for their second concert at the venue Informativni Centar "Budo Vuković."

That evening proved to be a huge success- the hall was full and the audience was excited. The musicians played beautifully, and with the singing of Amira Medunjanin and the dancing of the Montenegran couple combined to create a truly unique and impressive performance. The richness achieved by the uniting of different cultural elements was also evident as the predominantly Montenegran audience clapped wildly for songs from everywhere from Dalmatia and the surrounding region, to France and the United States.

Sunday brought two more border crossings and a final performance at the historic Marin Držić Theater in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It was an excellent final performance, in a venue to match. One of the most exciting things about this particular concert was that a recording was made as the first step in production of a Winds of Change compact disc. The group is greatly excited about the doors having their own CD will open in the future. (Keep an eye on the blog and the Musicians without Borders BiH website for forthcoming information on its release!)

Monday, November 17th saw the departure of the International Musicians from the region- however, the Bosnian and Herzegovinan musicians took advantage of their beautiful surroundings in Dubrovnik and enjoyed a leisurely day in the sun, recovering from the work of the previous week. It was great for them to have some time to just talk, laugh, and enjoy one anothers' company before heading back to their busy routines of school, work, and exams.


The friendships the musicians have are just as important to the project as the music they make because they serve to break down borders between the different groups in the region. This was the main goal of the Triangle Tour and from the smiles on the musicians faces as they spoke with one another, to the cheering of audiences in Trebinje, Podgorica and Dubrovnik, the Tour was certainly a success!

The Musicians Introduce Themselves

Jaume Gavilán Agulló

Jaume Gavilán Agulló was born in Cocentaina (Alicante, Spain) in 1986. He studied elementary and secondary conservatory in Onteniente and Alicante. When he was 18 he moved to Rotterdam (the Netherlands) to study First Phase at Codarts Hogeschool voor de kunsten with George Wiegel, Jörgen van Rijen and Pierre Volders. He is the Solo trombonist of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the former second trombone of the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic. He has played with The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Jeneusses Musicales World Orchestra and the Netherlands Blazers Ensemble. He is a member of the Internation Trombone Ensemble, 3.1 Trombone Quartet, West-East Divan Orchestra and Winds of Change.

Shira Majoni

Shira was born in Florence, Italy in 1989 to a family of musicians. She started studying the violin at the age of five and in Summer 2001 she made "aliya" with her family and settled in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 2004, she started her viola studies under the guidance of Prof. Lilach Levanon.

Shira performed as a soloist with the Thelma Yellin symphony orchestra and is a member of the Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival where she has performed with many important artists. In summer 2007 she took part in Wilfried Strehle's mastercourse at the Summer Academy in the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and in Bruno Giuranna's mastercourse at the Accademia Chigiana in Sienna. In October 2007, she was accepted to the class of Prof. Giuranna at the Accademia Stauffer in Cremona.

Shira is a member of the West-East Divan Orchestra and of The Winds of Change, and receives scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.

"Triangle Tour"

The Musicians Introduce Themselves

Samir Ismić

Samir Ismić rođen 01.06.1970 godine u Bijeljini gdje i završava osnovno muzičko školovanje. Srednju Muzičku školu upisuje u Tuzli a završava u Sarajevu. Muzičku Akademiju upsisuje u Prištini gdje je i završava 28.12.1996. godine. U Sarajevskoj Filharmoniji zapošljava se u martu 1997 godine gdje i danas radi kao timpanista. U međuvremenu diplomira u Sarajevu u klasi Profesora Joakima Anterota, na solističkom smijeru udaraljke.

Samir Ismić was born 01.06.1970 in Bijeljina where he also finished his Elementary Music Education. He enrolled in Music High School in Tuzla and finished in Sarajevo. He attended the Music Academy in Pristina and graduated 28.12.1996. The Sarajevo Philharmonic began to employ him in March 1997 where he works today as a timpanist. In the meantime, he graduated in Sarajevo in the class of Professor Joakim Anterota as a solo percussion major.

Tina Korać

Tina Korać, rodena 12.6.1991 godine u Mostaru. Živi u Čitluku, pohađa Srednju glazbenu školu Ivana plemenitog Zajca u Mostaru, 4. nazred u klasi prof. Vilme Tarčuki, te pripremni nazred Univerziteta u Grazu (Austrija) u klasi prof. Wilsa Kramena. Član je puhačkog ansambla "Winds of Change" (Sarajevo), u kojem svira piccolo flauta. Također je član crkvenog studentskog zbona u župi Krista Kralja, Čitluk. Čest je sudionik školskih koncerata. Održala je koncert uz pratnju gudačkog orkestra "Mostar Sinfonietta" u Mostaru i Sarajevu. Sudjelovala je na masterclassu kod prof. Vanesse Britz (Admont, Austria 2008.) gdje je dobila i priznanje za uspješno. sudjelovanje.

Tina Korać was born 12.6.1991 in Mostar. She lives in Čitluk, and attends Music High School in in Mostar in the 4th grade in the class of Professor Vilme Tarčuki. She is preparing for University in Gratz, Austria in the class of Wilse Kramen. She is a member of the wind ensemble "Winds of Change" in which she plays the piccolo. Additionally she is a member of the student chuch choir in Krista Kralja Parish, Čitluk. Often she participates in school concerts. She performed in a concert as accompianament to orchestra "Mostar Sinfonietta" in Mostar and Sarajevo. She participated in masterclasses with Professor Vanesse Britz (Admont, Austria 2008) where she received an award for outstanding participation.

Ivan Sušac

Zovem se Ivan Sušac. Rođen sam i živim u Čapljini. Sviram trubu i srednju glazbenu sam završlo u Dubrovniku. Studiram u Sarajevu 2. godina Muzičke Akademije. Omiljena vrsta muzike mi se Jazz. Omiljeni hobi mi se golf.

My name is ivan Sušac. I was born and live in Čapljina. I play the trumpet and finished Music High School in Dubrovnik. I am studying in Sarajevo and am in my second year at the Music Academy. My favorite type of music is Jazz and my favorite hobby is golf.



Olivér Pintér

Moje ime je Oliver Pinter. Rođen sam 29.12.1986. u Senti . Zivim u Adi s porodicom , gde sam i zavrsio nizu muzicku skolu ( klarinet i harmonika ) . Maturirao sam 2005. i 2006. godine u Subotici na teoretskom i instrumentalnom odseku u klasi klarineta kod Lazara Kondića , sa odličnim uspehom . Iste (2006.) godine sam upisao Akademiju umjetnosti u Banja Luci kod prof. Nikole Sdića . Ove godine sam uspešno upisao treću godinu . Veoma mi se sviđa Banja Luka , kao i atmosfera na Akademiji . Volim da sviram i uzivam u muzici . Volim sve vrste muzike - od klasične do zabavne .

Prihvatio sam ovaj poziv jer volim da se druzim i da upoznajem nove ljude i nove gradove .


My name is Oliver Pinter. I was born 29.12.1986 in Senti. I live in Adi with my family where I also graduated from Music School in Clarinet and Accordian. In 2005 and 2006 I finished study of clarinet in the departments of theory and instrumentation in Subotica under Lazar Kondić with high marks. The same year, I enrolled at the Arts Academy in Banja Luka with Prof. Nikola Sdić. I am now in my third year. I really enjoy Banja Luka, and the atmosphere at the Academy. I love to play and enjoy music. I love all types of music- from classical to popular.

I accepted the invitation to play with Winds of Change because I love friendship, meeting new people, and experiencing new cities.



Tanja Malić

Rođena 27.6.1987. godine. Student treće godine muzičkog odsjeka Akademije umjetnosti u Banjaluci, smjer etnomuzikologija u klasi profesora Dimitrija Golemovića. Takođe je i učenik trećeg razreda srednje muzičke škole „Vlado Milošević“ u Banjaluci, odsjek za obou, u klasi profesorice Veronike Antunović. Član je duvačkog orkestra „Winds of Change“ iz Sarajeva, kamernog orkestra „Arion“ iz Banjaluke, crkvenog hora „Sv.Andrej Kritski“ iz Laktaša i banjalučkog Univerzitetskog hora iz Banjaluke. Dugogodišnji je član Kulturno umjetničkog društva „Slavko Mandić“ iz Laktaša, sa kojima je učestvovala na mnogim festivalima širom Evrope.

She was born on 27.6.1987. A third year student in the Music Department at the Academy of the Arts in Banja Luka, she studies Ethnomusicology under Professor Dimitrija Golemovića. Additionally, she is a third year student at the Music School „Vlado Milošević“ in Banjaluka, studying oboe with Professor Veronika Antunović. She is a member of the wind ensemble, „Winds of Change“ from Sarajevo, „Arion“ orchestra from Banja Luka, the church choir „Sv. Andrej Kritski“ from Laktašo and Banja Luka University Choir. For a long time she has been a member of the Cultural Artistic Society „Slavko Mandić“ from Laktašo, with which she has participated in many festivals throughout Europe.

The Musicians Introduce Themselves

Belma Kahrović

Rođena 20.9.1991. u Sarajevu.
Idem u Srednju muzičku školu u Sarajevu. Sviram saksofon i klarinet.
U „Winds of Change“ sviram alt saksofon.
Slušam klasičnu muziku, također volim i kubansku i house muziku...

Born 20.09.1991 in Sarajevo.
I go to the Music High School Sarajevo. I play the saxophone and the clarinet. In „Winds of Change“ I play the alto saxophone.
I like to listen classical music, but also Cuban music and House...


Zerina Herenda

Rođena 30.07.1988.
Sviram flautu i student sam Muzićke akademije u istočnom Sarajevu. Volim da slušam jazz muziku!
The „Winds of Change“ daje priliku mladim ljudima da upoznaju izvanredne muzičare i da rade ono što najviše vole da rade, tj. da sviraju.

Born 30.07.1988.
I play the flute and I`m a student at the Music Academy in East Sarajevo. I like to listen jazz!
“Winds of Change” gives young people the opportunity to meet extraordinary musicians and do what they like most of all: playing their instruments.


Esma Sulejmanagić

Rođena 23.08.1989. u Sarajevu.
U ansamblu „The Winds of Change“ sviram flautu. Trenutno sam student 1. godine Muzičke akademije u Sarajevu na odsjeku za muzikologiju, a paralelno pohađam Srednju muzičku školu u Sarajevu gdje sam 4. razred i sviram flautu.
Volim slušati klasičnu muziku, a posebnu francusku muziku i pjevačicu Camille.
„The Winds of Change“ je odlična prilika da upoznam izvanredne muzičare, nove vrste muzike i da radim ono što najviše volim, sviram flautu.

Born 23.08.1989 in Sarajevo.
In the ensemble „Winds of Change“ I play the flute. At the moment I`m a first year student at the Music Academy of Sarajevo in the department of musicology, and I also attend the Music High School Sarajevo, where I`m pupil of the 4th class and I play the flute.
I like to listen to classical music, special French music and the singer Camille.
“ Winds of Change“ is a very good opportunity for me to meet extraordinary musicians, experience new musical styles and do what I like most of all: play the flute.


Timur Sijarić

Sarajevo.
Muzička akademjia Sarajevo – svira saksofon (Alto&Tenor)
Najviše voli muziku, knjige, muziku, putovanja, muziku...
Sluša klasičnu muziku, death metal, jazz i world muziku.

Home town: Sarajevo.
Music Academy Sarajevo – plays the saxophone (Alto&Tenor)
His favorite things are music, books, music, travelling, music...
He likes to listen classical music, death metal, jazz and world music.


Tibor Maša

Rođen 23.04.1984. u Subotici.
Muzička akademija Sarajevo – svira bas klarinet.
Najviše voli muziku, sport, i čitanje.

Born 23.04.1984 in Subotica.
He attends the Music Academy Sarajevo where he plays the bass clarinet.
His favorite things are music, sports, and reading.

Ivan Ščitinski

Rođen 07.04.1988. u Sarajevu.
Završio srednju muzičku školu u Sarajevu, sad sam student 2. godine muzičke akademije u Sarajevu, na odsjeku za harmoniku i duvače, gdje sviram trubu.
Slušam klasiku i jazz, np. Olivera, Gibonija, i u slobodno vrijeme igram košarke.

Born 07.04.1988 in Sarajevo.
I graduated from the Music High School Sarajevo and now I`m a second year student at the Music Academy of Sarajevo in the department for accordeon and wind instruments, where I play the trumpet.
I like to listen classical music and jazz, e.g. Oliver and Gibon, and in my free time I play basketball.