HomeBranko Children's Choir
Children's and youth choir · junior branch of the Society
Children's Choir Branko
At the Cathedral in Niš since 1995.
- Founded
- in 1995
- Conductor
- Jovana Mikić
- Choir patron saints
- Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope and Love and their mother Sophia
- Honours
- Grand Prix · Hajnówka 2026
Official biography
Young voices of the Cathedral
The Children's and Youth Choir of the Choral Society “Branko” was founded in 1995 as the junior branch of the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko”, with the aim of bringing Orthodox sacred music and the rich tradition of Serbian choral singing closer to the youngest generations. Today the choir is one of the most important junior ensembles of the Society, continuing its tradition through new generations of young singers.
The church children's and youth choir was founded in 1995 as the junior branch of the Society “Branko” of the same name, at the Cathedral in Niš. It takes part regularly in services and is active in the cultural life of the city. The choir has performed at many festivals, including “Choirs among Frescoes” in Belgrade, the “International Choir Festival” in Niš and the “Music Edict” festival in Niš.
The choir has also performed widely abroad: it has visited Greece several times (Patras, Athens); in Bulgaria it performed at the Balchik palace complex at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria as a representative of young artists from Serbia (2008); in Poland it took part in the festival “Days of Church Music” in Hajnówka (1st place, 2009); organised by the Serbian-Austrian friendship society “Most”, it performed in Graz, Austria, presenting Serbian sacred and secular music (2010); in Italy it gave concerts in Rimini and Barletta at the invitation of the Dante Alighieri Society (2011); in Pomorie, Bulgaria, it performed at the sacred music festival “Dostojno jest” (2012); at the festival “Kalozhski Blagovest” in the Belarusian city of Grodno it won 1st place (2013); in Białystok, Poland, at the Vidovdan festival (2014); in Moscow, Russia, it took part in the Christmas gala concert at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour as the only representative of Serbian choirs (2015).
At Easter 2016 the choir took part in the International Paschal Festival organised by the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, receiving the festival laureate's charter signed by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 the choir performed for audiences in Berlin (Germany), Vienna (Austria), Iași (Romania) and Lausanne (Switzerland). In November 2019, at the invitation of the Arab Orthodox community, the choir gave a concert in the Church of St Elijah in Jerusalem, attended by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The ensemble's repertoire consists primarily of sacred compositions of all the peoples of the world. The programme covers a wide range of sacred music from the Middle Ages to the present day, from unison sound to polyphony. The ensemble performs sacred music a cappella, as tradition requires in Orthodox churches. The ensemble is also drawn to the ethnic sound of the region it comes from, performing with equal love compositions that present the folk heritage of the Balkans; this repertoire is performed with instrumental accompaniment. Beyond that, its interest extends to other peoples and their music, symbolically showing that music is the most beautiful bridge between peoples.
Founder and conductor since 1995
Jovana Mikić
Jovana Mikić was born into the Timotijević family of priests in Prizren in 1970, where she received her basic musical education. In her youth she conducted the parish children's choir in Đakovica. She graduated in sociology from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade in 1994. She revived the choir “Braničevo” in Požarevac and conducted it from 1992 to 1994. In 1995 in Niš she founded the junior branch of the Church Choral Society “Branko” (the Church Children's and Youth Choir “Branko”), which she has conducted from its foundation to the present day.
More than a choir
Growing up through song
At “Branko”, children grow not only as singers but also as people.
The Children's and Youth Choir is not just an ensemble but a place where friendships, discipline, self-confidence and a sense of belonging are formed. Through rehearsals, journeys, performances and shared moments, children learn to listen to one another, to be part of a whole and to create together something greater than themselves.
In this way song becomes much more than music - it becomes part of their growing up, a memory that stays and a bond that lasts for years.
At “Branko” you learn not only how to sing, but also how to grow together.
- Friendshipbonds that last for years
- Disciplinerehearsals, punctuality, responsibility
- Self-confidencestages at home and around the world
- Belongingpart of a whole, part of a tradition
From Balchik to Jerusalem
Journeys and encounters
Festivals, gala concerts and services across Europe and in the Holy Land.
- GreecePatras and AthensSeveral visits to Patras and Athens.
- 2008.Balchik, BulgariaBalchik palace complex, at the invitation of the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, as a representative of young artists from Serbia.
- 2009.Hajnówka, PolandFestival “Days of Church Music” - 1st place.
- 2010.Graz, AustriaSerbian sacred and secular music, organised by the society “Most”.
- 2011.Rimini and Barletta, ItalyConcerts at the invitation of the Dante Alighieri Society.
- 2012.Pomorie, BulgariaSacred music festival “Dostojno jest”.
- 2013.Grodno, Belarus“Kalozhski Blagovest” - 1st place.
- 2014.Białystok, PolandVidovdan festival.
- 2015.Moscow, RussiaChristmas gala concert at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, as the only Serbian choir.
- 2016.Moscow, RussiaInternational Paschal Festival - laureate's charter.
- 2017-2019.Berlin, Vienna, Iași, LausanneConcerts in Germany, Austria, Romania and Switzerland.
- 2019.JerusalemConcert in the Church of St Elijah, in the presence of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
- 2025.Orăștie, RomaniaGrand Prix and award for best conductor.
- 2026.Hajnówka, PolandGrand Prix - overall winner among 30 choirs from nine countries.
Honours
Awards and honours
-
2026.
Grand Prix - overall winner
Hajnówka, Poland
45th International Orthodox Festival “Hajnówka Days of Church Music”, competing against 30 choirs from nine countries - the choir's greatest competitive success to date.
-
2026.
Order of St Roman of Đunis, First Class
Metropolitan Arsenije of Niš
On the occasion of 30 years of existence and successful work.
-
2025.
Grand Prix
Orăștie, Romania
Main award of the festival of sacred choral music; the choir was the only foreign participant. Jovana Mikić was named the festival's best conductor.
-
2016.
Laureate's charter
Moscow, Russia
International Paschal Festival organised by the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, signed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
-
2013.
1st place
Grodno, Belarus
Sacred music festival “Kalozhski Blagovest”.
-
2009.
1st place
Hajnówka, Poland
At the festival “Days of Church Music” in Hajnówka the choir won first place.
Become part of “Branko”
How to join the Children's Choir
If you love to sing and want to become part of a choir where friendships, self-confidence and a sense of belonging are born through music - welcome to the Children's and Youth Choir “Branko”.
Choir rehearsals are held every Wednesday from 8 pm and Saturday from 5 pm in the choir rooms within the Cathedral complex in Niš. New members are always welcome to come, meet the conductor and the choir and feel the atmosphere of singing together.
For all information about joining the choir, you can speak to us directly at a rehearsal.
Come and meet us - perhaps a beautiful musical friendship begins right here.
- Rehearsals
- Wednesday from 8 pm and Saturday from 5 pm
- Where
- Choir rooms in the Cathedral complex in Niš