Holy Spirit Cathedral · Prijezdina 7, 18000 Niš info@choirbranko.rs +381 61 2981 257 018/521-510

Niš Church Choral Society „Branko“ founded 1 September 1887
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HomeAbout usA Lasting Tradition

139 years of tradition

A tradition that lasts

Since 1887, the Choral Society “Branko” has preserved and nurtured the tradition of Orthodox sacred music, connecting generations of singers through faith, culture and song.

The Society's aim
Continuity of liturgical chant
Tours
30+ countries
Honours
Order of St Sava, Classes I-IV
The choir's mission
Nurturing Orthodox sacred music

Since 1887

A choir that grew into an institution

The Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” was founded on 1 September 1887 as the choir of the Cathedral in Niš, only 12 years after the liberation of Niš from Turkish rule.

From its very foundation, the choir “Branko” began to grow into a serious institution. Constant and regular rehearsals, an expanding repertoire, outstanding performances, lectures on music, active participation in the public life of Niš and charitable work marked this period of the choir's activity. Even in the most difficult moments of the First and Second World Wars, the choir did not abandon its mission but continued to take an active part in services.

Numbers that speak

A journey through time

Significant years and events - from the founding at the Cathedral to the highest honours. Scroll and follow the line.

  1. 1887.

    founding

    Founding of the Society

    The Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” was founded at the Cathedral in Niš through the efforts of Bishop Dimitrije Pavlović of Niš and a group of professors of the Niš Gymnasium. The Society officially began its work on 1 September 1887.

  2. 1889.

    Celebration of the Battle of Čegar

    The Choral Society “Branko” takes part in the great celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Čegar, 19 May 1889.

  3. 1893.

    The “Sinđelić” Theatre

    The Choral Society “Branko” takes part in the gala programme marking the revival of the Niš theatre “Sinđelić” at the “Evropa” inn

  4. 1895.

    archive

    Niš and Belgrade sing over the wire

    Participation in the first two-way telephone transmission of a concert between Belgrade and Niš, on 28 January 1895, in honour of Nikola Tesla and his inventions. The Choral Society “Branko” performed from Niš, while the programme was simultaneously transmitted and heard in Belgrade.

  5. 1900.

    Consecration of the flag

    Consecration of the flag of the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” in the Cathedral in Niš, in the presence of King Aleksandar Obrenović of Serbia.

  6. 1902.

    25 years of the freedom of Niš

    The Choral Society “Branko” takes part in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Niš from the Turks, in the presence of King Aleksandar Obrenović and Queen Draga.

  7. 1904.

    Coronation of King Peter I

    The choir took part in a concert held in honour of the coronation of King Peter I Karađorđević.

  8. 1915.

    recognition

    Regent Aleksandar's gold coin

    The Choral Society “Branko” performs at the patron saint's day of the 16th Infantry Regiment “Tsar Nicholas II” in Medoševac near Niš, in the presence of Regent Aleksandar Karađorđević, who rewarded the Society with a gold coin/ducats after its successful performance.

  9. 1923.

    decoration

    Order of St Sava, Fourth Class

    By decree of King Alexander I Karađorđević of 1 May, the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” was awarded the Order of St Sava, Fourth Class.

  10. 1923-1941.

    decoration

    Order of St Sava, Third Class

    The Choral Society “Branko” is awarded the Order of St Sava, Third Class.

  11. 1938.

    archive

    The flag of King Peter II

    On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Choral Society “Branko”, King Peter II Karađorđević became godfather to the Society and presented it with a new society flag. Three golden nails were driven into the flagstaff - gifts from King Peter II, Queen Maria and Prince Regent Paul.

  12. 1986.

    recognition

    A letter of thanks to the Society

    On 7 January, the members of the choral society were presented with a letter of thanks bearing a picture of the choir.

  13. 1990.

    founding

    Revival of the Society

    On 28 September, the first rehearsal of the revived Society “Branko” was held under the direction of the new choirmaster, Mrs Sara Cincarević.

  14. 1991.

    tour

    Beyond the country's borders again

    The voice of “Branko” begins to be heard beyond the country's borders once again.

  15. 1993.

    tour

    Guest performance in Prizren

    The choir performs in Prizren on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Prizren Seminary.

  16. 1994.

    patriarch

    Enthronement of Patriarch Pavle

    The Choral Society “Branko” sings at the enthronement of Serbian Patriarch Pavle at the Patriarchate of Peć, 22 May 1994.

  17. 1995.

    founding

    Children's and Youth Choir

    The Children's and Youth Choir of the Choral Society “Branko” is founded as the junior branch of the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” at the Cathedral in Niš. The choir's founder and conductor is Jovana Mikić.

  18. 1997.

    decoration

    Order of St Sava, Second Class

    Bishop Irinej of Niš awards the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” the Order of St Sava, Second Class.

  19. 1999.

    Song even under the bombs

    During the NATO bombing of Serbia, the Society does not stop working; it sings regularly at liturgies and holds rehearsals.

  20. 2004.

    tour

    Across the ocean for the first time

    The Society “Branko” crosses the ocean for the first time. The choir tours several cities in the USA and Canada.

  21. 2006.

    recognition

    The “11 January” Award

    The Choral Society “Branko” receives the “11 January” Award, the highest honour of the City of Niš.

  22. 2007.

    decoration

    120 years and the “Glinka” Capella

    Jubilee celebrations are held to mark 120 years of the Choral Society “Branko”. Bishop Irinej of Niš awards the Society the Order of the Holy Emperor Constantine. As part of the jubilee, the State Academic Capella “Glinka” from St Petersburg, directed by maestro Vladislav Chernushenko, performs in Niš, and the concert ends with a joint performance by the two choirs.

  23. 2008.

    tour

    St Petersburg

    In January the Choral Society “Branko” performs in St Petersburg as part of the festival “Star of Bethlehem”, appearing in several prestigious concert venues, including the State Academic Capella “Glinka”, the Sheremetev Palace and the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory.

  24. 2009.

    recognition

    Grand Prix in Hajnówka

    The choir takes part in the renowned festival of Orthodox choirs in Hajnówka, Poland, where it wins the Grand Prix as the best choir among 29 choirs from 13 different countries.

  25. 2009.

    festival

    “Music Edict” is born

    On the initiative of the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko”, the International Festival of Sacred Choral Music “Music Edict” is founded in Niš. The festival is organised by the Choral Society “Branko”, the Diocese of Niš and the Cathedral in Niš.

  26. 2010.

    patriarch

    Enthronement of Patriarch Irinej

    The Choral Society “Branko” sings at the solemn enthronement of Serbian Patriarch Irinej at the Patriarchate of Peć, 3 October 2010.

  27. 2017.

    decoration

    Gold Medal for Merit

    By decree of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić, the Choral Society “Branko” is awarded the Gold Medal for Merit, for special merit and achievements in nurturing the tradition of sacred choral music, on the occasion of 130 years of existence and work.

  28. 2017.

    decoration

    Order of St Sava, First Class

    The Choral Society “Branko” is awarded the Order of St Sava, First Class, on the occasion of its 130th anniversary; the decoration is presented by Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

  29. Today

    A song that continues

    The mixed choir and the Children's and Youth Choir sing at services in the Cathedral, at concerts and at festivals - and every two years “Music Edict” brings choirs from all over the world to Niš.

Tours

The voice of “Branko” around the world

Over the last three decades the choir has performed in more than 30 countries of Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East. Click a dot or the name of a country.

  • Belarus
  • Ukraine
  • Russia
  • Bulgaria
  • Slovenia
  • Republika Srpska
  • Croatia
  • Montenegro
  • United Kingdom
  • Luxembourg
  • Belgium
  • Poland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Austria
  • Turkey
  • Czech Republic
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Israel
  • India
  • UAE
  • Romania
  • Switzerland
  • Uzbekistan

Swipe through the countries

Festivals and awards

On the greatest choral stages

  • International Festival of Orthodox ChantMinsk · Grand Prix
  • Days of Church MusicHajnówka · Grand Prix
  • Mokranjac DaysNegotin · 1st place and the “Mokranjac” statuette
  • International Choir FestivalRothenburg
  • International Choir FestivalMarktoberdorf
  • Choral CongressTchaikovsky Conservatory, Moscow
  • State VoiceSt Elisabeth Convent, Minsk
  • World Choir FestivalPuebla, Mexico
  • Choirs among Frescoes · BEMUSBelgrade
  • International Choir FestivalNiš

Awards and honours

  1. 01Order of St Sava, First Class2017.
  2. 02Gold Medal for Merit of the Republic of Serbia2017.
  3. 03Order of St Sava, Second Class1997.
  4. 04Order of St Sava, Third Classbetween 1923 and 1941
  5. 05Order of St Sava, Fourth Class1923.
  6. 06Order of the Holy Emperor Constantine2007.
  7. 07Order of the Holy Apostle PaulChurch of Greece
  8. 08Gold coin of Crown Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević1915.
  9. 09The “11 January” AwardCity of Niš, 2006
  10. 10Grand PrixHajnówka, Poland, 2009
  11. 111st place and the “Mokranjac” statuette40th Mokranjac Days, Negotin
  12. 121st prizeInternational Festival of Orthodox Choral Music, Minsk
  13. 13The “Vojislav Ilić” AwardChoirs among Frescoes, Belgrade
  14. 14Special jury prizeHajnówka, Poland