History of Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra

     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.

     In 1981 our Director, Jim Guracech , was selected as the guest conductor of the forteenth Junior Cultural Federation Festival held in Denver, Colorado.

      The DTO, in 1982, with the international talents of Vera Svoboda performed at our cabaret night in June. Her husband, Julius Nikos, directed the DTO as she brilliantly entertained the audience. This was a tribute to the musicians of DTO and their flexity and ability to take direction from another conductor on short notice.

     In 1983, the 25th anniversary of the DTO, and under the direction of James Gurecech, the DTO held its Spring Concert. The following groups were invited to celebrate with us: The S.S.S. Ravanica Chior of Detroit, the Detroit Star Junior Tamburitzans and Pennsemble of Pittsburgh, PA.

     A highlight of the orchestra's history was a tour of Croatia and Vojvodina in 1984. In these areas the Tambura is especially appreciated and enjoyed. The ensemble received the highest reviews from music critics for our conductors direction and the orchestra's musicians outstanding performances of folk and classic compositions.

     The DTO has participated and contributed to many humanitarian efforts-- one such event, which raised $6000 was the Croatian-Bosnian benefit concert, held at the Macomb Center for the performing arts, on August 22, 1992. This concert featured the Warren Symphony, Balalaika Orchestra of Detroit, and the Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra. The proceeds from this event were donated to orphan refugee children of Croatia and Bosnia.

     In 1997, our 'Christmas in Croatia" affair raised monies for the hospitalized children with chronic disease in northern Bistra. To view correspondence regarding this donation, click here.

     In 1994, Jim Directed an all-Steve Pavlekovich program in which Steve either wrote or arranged each number. After the concert, Jim announced his retirement. Jim directed DTO for 19 years and under his conducting leadership and talent brought the orchestra to new heights and dimensions.

     Under Jim's direction, the orchestra performed symphonic compositions from classic and semi classic musical scores. In addition the orchestra performed compositions written specifically for the Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra by Croatian composers.

     In the summer of 1994, Ken Kosovec became the fourth director of the DTO. Again, DTO was fortunate in obtaining a person with a great backround in music and the tambura. Ken comes from a tambura family and served as director of the Detroit Star Junior Tamburitzans for many years. He played in several local tambura combos, and was a long time playing member of the DTO.

     The DTO has evolved into one of the finest large tamburtitza orchestras to be found anywhere. From the early formation and growing years, this orchestra has become a seasoned professional group. This has occurred because of patient and dedicated directors and consiencious members. Today, DTO is recognized as one of the most respected leaders in performing compositions for large Tamburitza orchestras. DTO will continue to preserve and further the art of tamburitza music.

                                                                                                                                  John Belavich