11/13/24, Bojana Pekovic and Art Family Ensemble

MUSIC 2024 2025

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MUSIC Bojana Peković & Art Family

Gusle through Academic Prism: Permeation Featuring

Bojana Peković – gusle/voice Nikola Peković – accordion Nikola Cvetković – piano Andrija Minčić – clarinet/saxophone Djordje Hartl – drums/percussion

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 8:00 p.m.

Performing Arts Studio Department of Music 1804 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322 Welcome to the Performing Arts Studio in the Department of Music.

404.727.6445 | music.emory.edu | music@emory.edu

Cover Design: Lisa Baron | Cover Photo: Mark Teague

2024 2025

Acknowledgments Tonight’s event is sponsored by the Emory University Department of Music, Emory Arts, Emory Friends of Music, the ECAS Deans Programming Fund, and Republic of Serbia Ministry of Culture.

About The title of tonight’s concert has two main meanings in Serbian. One refers to an action where various viewpoints and life stories merge in a loving and learning environment. The other reflects on the root of the world “prožimanje”––“žetva,”“žnjeti”––an action of harvesting and sifting grains in which the nourishing grains remain over time, referring to the process of cleansing and healing.

Reflecting Bojana’s background rooted in centuries-old intangible treasures of her homeland, Serbia, but also Montenegro, she pushes the sonic boundaries of gusle tradition with her Art Family, seeking to reflect this ancient expression through the prism of today’s time, their lives, contemporary spaces, and aspects of novelty and modern culture.

The audience will hear a range of music, from epic poetry passed from generation to generation to lyrical folk songs, Bojana’s own compositions, contemporary works written for Bojana and her group Art Family, and other “world music” influences.

Program Tonight’s program will be announced from the stage.

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Performers Bojana Peković (b. 1997) is a gusle player from Serbia. Even though Bojana was brought up in the traditional gusle heritage, she is known as a reformer in the field. Bojana has participated in numerous public events and held concerts and workshops throughout Europe, US, and Canada. She contributed to UNESCO’s list of the “intangible cultural heritage of the world” in 2018, noting her “singing to the accompaniment of the gusle.” Bojana completed her Bachelor’s and Master of Art degrees in Global Music at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. In addition to collaborating with artists from various countries, her work is usually presented with her group, Art Family, formed in 2015. Bojana is also a winner of the TV competition show, I Got Talent, alongside her brother Nikola.

Nikola Peković (b. 1991) is an exceptional accordionist who began his musical journey at an early age. He studied at the Faculty of Arts in Niš, Serbia, and completed specialist studies in Spain under the mentorship of Professors Miljan Bjeletić and Alberdi Iñaki.

He is currently completing his doctoral studies in Portugal. Nikola has performed solo concerts across Europe, North America, and Asia, also collaborated with various orchestras, including the RTS Symphony Orchestra and the Belgrade Chamber Orchestra. In the past three years, he has worked closely with composers, premiering over 38 works, 21 of which he performed as a soloist with orchestras. Nikola has achieved notable success in over 50 international competitions, including the World Trophy and the World Cup. Nikola is Associate Professor of Accordion at the Faculty of Arts in Niš.

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Nikola Cvetković (b. 1990) is a concert pianist. He completed a Master’s degree in piano performance at the Faculty of Arts in Niš, Serbia. Nikola has performed across Europe, Canada, and Qatar, earning accolades in various competitions.

Passionate about contemporary music, he started posting piano covers on YouTube in 2008. In 2017, he released “Nikola Cvetkovic Plays Katatonia,” which received international acclaim. His 2019 album, In Retrospect, features original compositions inspired by classical and contemporary music. Nikola has been an Artistic Associate at the Faculty of Arts in Niš since 2015.

Đorđe Hartl (b. 1997) is a professional percussionist and drummer. Raised in a musical family, he began playing drums at the age of five, also studying the piano.

Winner of multiple awards, including the Nisville Jazz Festival’s youngest performer and Drum Dum Festival’s top drummer, Đorđe graduated from the University of Niš, Serbia, in 2024. He has performed at many notable venues, collaborating with renowned artists and orchestras and earning a reputation for his skill and versatility across musical genres.

Andrija Minčić (b. 1986) is a notable clarinetist and saxophonist who graduated from the Faculty of Arts in Niš, Serbia, where he has been on faculty since 2013. Andrija has performed over 250 concerts worldwide, including at prestigious venues like the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Covent Garden in London, and Victoria Hall in Geneva. He has collaborated with prominent musicians, including Istanbul University professors. As a saxophonist, Minčić is highly engaged in Europe, opening for artists such as John Newman and Candy Dulfer. He launched the SAXTIME project in 2020 in partnership with Red Bull corporation, further establishing his influence in the music scene.

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Music at Emory brings together students, faculty, and world-class artists to create an exciting and innovative season of performances, lectures, workshops, and master classes. With more than 150 events each year across multiple Emory venues, audiences experience a wide variety of musical offerings.

We hope you enjoy sampling an assortment of work from our student ensembles, community youth ensembles, artists in residence, professional faculty, up-and-coming prodigies, and virtuosos from around the world. music.emory.edu