Youth on Stage and Behind the Scenes: What Awaits You in Zadar Early Next Week?
In just a few days, the Ceremonial Hall of the University of Zadar will become a meeting place of youth, talent, and collaborative music-making. Through a unique synergy of experienced orchestral professionals and a new generation of musicians, this evening brings fresh energy and confirms that the Zadar and Croatian music scenes have a bright future ahead.
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The Zadar Chamber Orchestra concert, conducted by Davor Kelić, will take place on Monday, November 16, at 8:00 PM in the Grand Hall of the University of Zadar. The project has a strong educational focus, offering students the opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians. The program features works by Lisinski, Grgin, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, and Sarasate, alongside performances by three young soloists: Marta Zrilić (clarinet), Karla Jelena Miličević (cello), and Katarina Kocelj (violin).
Tickets are on sale on November 12, 13, and 16 at the Providur’s Palace information desk from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. On the day of the concert, the box office moves in front of the concert venue one hour before the program begins.
Davor Kelić graduated in conducting from the Academy of Music in Zagreb and has been active at the Komedija City Theatre since 2018. He has collaborated with leading Croatian orchestras (HRT Symphony Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra), reached the finals of the Lovro von Matačić Competition (2023) as the first Croatian conductor to do so, and in 2026 earned acclaim conducting the operetta The Queen of the Ball (Kraljica lopte) at the Croatian National Theatre in Split.
Marta Zrilić (clarinet) is a Zadar native currently pursuing her master's degree at the Arts Academy in Split (in the class of Prof. Mate Bekavac), having also furthered her studies in Belgium. She is the winner of numerous awards (including the Davorin Jenko Competition) and regularly performs as a soloist as well as with orchestras such as the Croatian National Theatre in Split.
Karla Jelena Miličević (cello) was educated in Zadar and at the Academy of Music in Zagreb (in the class of Prof. Krešimir Lazar), and as of October 2026, is studying in Hamburg through the Erasmus+ program. She is a multiple winner of prestigious awards (Grand Prize in New York, the Oscar of Knowledge, and the Papandopulo Competition) with extensive domestic and international concert experience.
Katarina Kocelj (violin), born in Zadar, is a student at the Academy of Music in Zagreb in the class of Prof. Marco Graziani. She has won numerous first prizes at national and international competitions (HDGPP, Matija Bravničar, the Oscar of Knowledge) and performs with renowned orchestras, including the European Union Youth Orchestra (2026).
As part of the finale of the Kulturvator project, in collaboration with the KONTEJNER association, the final workshop of this project is taking place - a free two-day Technical Planning Workshop led by experienced expert Filip Pacak.
The workshop is intended for individuals aged 16 and older who are interested in the organization and production of cultural and artistic events such as concerts, exhibitions, panel discussions, or festivals, with no prior experience required.
Through theoretical and practical work, participants will master the basics of pre-production and organization, including selecting an adequate venue, understanding technical riders, drafting budgets, and planning technical teams and production timelines. The program also covers an introduction to the fundamentals of audio, video, and lighting equipment, power connections, troubleshooting the most common issues, and an overview of current market rates for equipment rental and technical crew labor. In the final practical segment, participants will use concrete examples to independently draft and prepare the technical execution of various events.
The workshop is led by Filip Pacak (BA in Audio Production from the SAE Institute in Ljubljana), a longtime sound engineer, lighting designer, and technical production manager with extensive experience gained at Močvara Club, Pogon Jedinstvo, the KONTEJNER association, and as part of the core production team of INmusic Festival.
The final workshop of the Kulturvator project will be held on November 16 and 17, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Multimedia Hall of the Rector’s Palace. Participation is free of charge, and spots are limited to 10 participants with prior registration.