Turopolje's JANE Sing Their Way to Gold at the Choir Olympics
The vocal-instrumental ensemble from Velika Gorica won a gold medal in the folklore and indigenous music category at the 18th Choir Olympics in Helsingborg.
The vocal-instrumental ensemble from Velika Gorica won a gold medal in the folklore and indigenous music category at the 18th Choir Olympics in Helsingborg.
The vocal-instrumental ensemble JANE from Velika Gorica has achieved yet another outstanding international success. At the 18th Choir Olympics held in Helsingborg, Sweden, they won a gold medal in the folklore and indigenous music category, thereby confirming not only their own quality but also the strength of Croatian traditional heritage on the world stage.
The ensemble, comprising sixteen members, has been preserving Croatian folk and church heritage through song for more than twenty years, and since 2008, they have regularly participated in the world's largest choral competition. Behind them are numerous performances, accolades, and international guest appearances, and this gold joins their first one, won at the Olympics in Latvia.
"It means a lot because it's the biggest choral competition in the world. We always enjoy going there, presenting our cultural heritage, Velika Gorica, and Turopolje, but also seeing where we stand among world choirs," said the members of JANE for RVG.
The ensemble's name is no coincidence. As they explained in a conversation with host Gianna Kotroman, they came up with the name themselves because it is a traditional Turopolje name that is short and catchy. Their longtime accompanists, the tambura players, were promptly given the fitting name Jankići, thus creating the recognizable duo of Jane and Jankići.
Ensemble leader Dražen Kurilovčan revealed how the songs for the repertoire are chosen. The emphasis is on unity and the personal feelings of the singers.
"In principle, we agree among ourselves. I am the ensemble leader, but it's not set in stone that things must go exactly as I say. Usually, the girls suggest what they'd like to sing, and then we find common ground. It's very important that they sing what they love, what they want, and what makes them feel good," Kurilovčan told RVG.
He added that good results only come when there is genuine love for what one does.
The members also shared technical details of their preparations. Traditional singing requires the use of the entire vocal cords, not just the edges, so warming up before each performance is crucial. They always tailor their technical exercises to the upcoming repertoire, and the vocals must be open and have a specific timbre.
Rehearsals are held two to three times a week, and although they are not currently seeking new members, they welcomed two new girls at an audition two years ago. Before major performances, they have a special ritual: they gather in a circle with the Jankići, place their hands in the center with a bow on top, and together shout "Jane!"
When asked about the importance of traditional music for younger generations, the ensemble says that everyone can listen to what they want, but they should also nurture and preserve their own. Kurilovčan was even more direct.
"Traditional music must be preserved and nurtured. A people without tradition is not a people. I think we are very proud of our tradition. Croatia is known for its tradition. Every village and every hamlet has its own specific way of singing, music, dress, and dance. If we don't preserve that, we are left without our traditional culture, and that's where the identity of a people is lost," emphasized the ensemble leader.
To conclude, he added that he is very proud and that it is a great pleasure to work with these "lovely ladies." The members, in turn, believe that this is a good start for more traditional music in the media space, and their increasing activity on social media is bringing them more and more followers.
