Founded several years ago, the Croatian Bagpipe Orchestra is currently active within the Center for Croatian Traditional Instruments. The ensemble made its first appearance in 2004 as part of the annual concerts of the Ensemble Lado. Participants of the Studio for Traditional Instruments of the Ensemble Lado performed at this concert. The next year, the best participants in the seminar for traditional instruments in the seminar of the Croatian School of Folklore and the Folklore in Vinkovci also appeared with the bagpipers at their concerts. At the early appearances the groups of bagpipers called themselves the 'Bagpipe Orchestra of Stjepan Večković''. Since 2007, the official name has been the Croatian Bagpipe Orchestra.
The bagpipers come from various parts of Croatia and each of them is dressed in the traditional folk costume of his/her region. They perform only on old traditional Croatian instruments: shepherd’s pipes, twin-reeds, bajs (violoncello with two strings), samica (a small string and fretted instrument), bagpipes, dude, tamburas and others (ljerica, mih, diple).
All of the members of the orchestra are able to play several instruments and are active in their local cultural and artistic associations. Some of them are also the leaders of or assistants in seminars on traditional instruments throughout Croatia.
Performances of the Croatian Bagpipe Orchestra are interesting and attractive because the bagpipers can also sing well. The orchestra has recently been expanded with the addition of three beautiful singers. Some new traditional instruments have also been introduced into the program.
The orchestra performs folklore and ethno programs. The folklore program is performed in folk costumes and only Croatian traditional songs from various regions are sung and played. The program is adapted to various folklore events, festivals and meetings.
In the ethno program the orchestra performs original songs and melodies and others arranged by new authors in a modern way using different instruments (tamburas, violins, drums and various other rhythmical instruments). The orchestra has made many appearances throughout Croatia and abroad.
The founder and leader of the Croatian bagpipe orchestra is Stjepan Večković, a soloist on traditional instruments of the Ensemble Lado. He also makes traditional instruments and conducts many folklore schools, seminars and workshops that promote traditional Croatian culture around the world.
