Hrvatski 
The DTO started as an idea with a group of people intersted in music and the Tambura. In September of 1957, under the tutelage of the late Andy Benda, a class was organized and practiced at Northern High School. The group elected its first chariman, George Ruzich. After several months of note reading, they transferred this knowledge to the tambura. Our first song was 'Ja Ljubim Milu'. In the spring of 1958, the group moved to the Croatian Home at Six Mile and Orleans. It was there, on June 13, 1959, under the direction of Andy Benda, that the group gave it's first concert. This was such a success that it was decided to have a concert every spring, thus, was born the Detroit Senior Tamburitzans. In 1966 the Detroit Senior Tams beloved teacher and director, Andy Benda, became ill and passed away. It was a great loss that affected everyone. His patience and persistence in teaching others, his dedication to the tamburitzans and cultural heritage will be remembered by all.
In the Fall of 1966, Steve Pavlekovich became the second instructor and director. Steve was well known as a musician, composer, and arranger. The Spring Concert of 1967 was dedicated to Andy Benda.
That same summer of 1967, our director, Steve Pavlekovich was selected by the Croatian Fraternal Union Junior Cultural Federation as their first guest conductor of the mass ensemble of the Junior Tamburitzan Festival performing arts, held at the Childrens Home in Des Plains, Illinois.
The Tenth anniversary year, under the direction of Steve, the group embarked on an ambitious program, and for the first time decided to invite another instrumental group-- "The Detroit Balalaika Orchestra". The Finale was a classic arranged by Steve entitled "Romance for Balalaika and Tambura". This was performed by both groups under Steve's direction.
The Detroit Senior Tamburitzans made their first trip outside Detroit in 1971, traveling to Flint, Michigan, where thay performed under sponsorship of Croatian/Slovene Corp.
In the Summer of 1972, Steve was again honored by the CFU Junior Cultural Federation as the conductor of the mass ensemble performance held at Detroit's Ford Auditorium. We also witnessed the First appearance of the Detroit Star Tamburitzans, Directed by Ken Kosovec, and sponsored by the Mothers Club of Zora Lodge 351.
On April 28, 1974, the DST presented their Sixteenth Annual Spring Concert, for the first time in another envirionment at Roseville High School. It was time to make a move more conductive to our music and better of our listening audience.
In the summer of 1974, Steve, because of his decling health, regretfullly decided not to return as director of DST. Steve had been director for eight years and his contributions to the DST has been immeasurable. His many talents as a musician, arranger, composer, and director, were just a few. His steady influence and complete confidence in the DST will long be remembered by all who played under him. His contibution aslo helped establish the DST as one of the finest tamburitza groups of its kind in the U.S.
Jim Guracech agreed to become our conductor & director in the summer of 1974. once again our group was fortunate to get a person not only known as a fine musician, but one who also has a fine back round in music and conducting. Jim Guracech whose virtuosity on the violin is well known, played with the Eurpoean Theater Army Symphony and wth the 'Balkan Cavaliers' for many years.
In 1976, under Jim's direction, the DST took on a new dimension utilizing the full extent of the tambura with the finale 'Granicari Overture'.
The Nineteenth season started with the formation of an auxiliary of wives of the orchestra members to help serve refreshments after our concerts.
The Twentieth Anniversary year of the DST was an ambitious year for the group. With Juniors graduating from Detroit Star Tammies and other young people in the group, it was decided to change our name to Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra. Bill Cindrich designed a logo for our new image. For this anniversary concert, we invited the Croatian Tamburitza Orchestra of Cleveland, the Penn-Val-Aires Tamburitzans of Pittsburgh, and the Zlatne Tamburtza Orchestra of Alquippa, Pennsylvania. In 1978, DTO was invited to perform with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra on April 19, at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial hall in Pittsburgh, PA. The DTO reciprocated the following year, 1979, and invited Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra to Detroit.