ENSEMBLES 2026

Vocal Ensemble Brevis

Vocal Ensemble Brevis is one of Croatia’s leading female choirs and a distinguished artistic project founded and directed by conductor Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković, DMA & Ph.D. in collaboration with pianist Davor Dedić. Internationally recognised for its artistic excellence, the ensemble has built a reputation through major concert appearances, award-winning competition performances, recording projects, and long-standing collaborations across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.
In 2026, Vocal Ensemble Brevis celebrates 30 years of continuous and successful artistic activity, marking three decades of dedicated contribution to choral art, cultural exchange, and the international promotion of Croatian musical heritage.
The ensemble’s artistic identity is grounded in exceptional vocal technique, a refined and recognisable choral sound, imaginative repertoire programming, and a distinctive stage presence. Brevis is particularly valued for interpretative originality and for integrating music into broader artistic concepts, creating performances that leave a lasting artistic impression and foster a strong connection with audiences. The ensemble brings together highly trained singers, many of whom are professional musicians.
Since its founding in 1996, Vocal Ensemble Brevis has become an essential participant in the cultural life of Osijek and Croatia and an active ambassador of Croatian choral artistry worldwide. The ensemble has released several critically acclaimed albums in both Croatia and the United States, further strengthening its international artistic presence.
A central element of Brevis’s artistic mission is the promotion of Croatian music and Croatian composers on the global stage. Through carefully curated programmes, commissions, recordings, and international performances, the ensemble continuously presents Croatian musical creativity to new audiences. This concert continues that mission, offering international listeners an insight into the richness and diversity of Croatian choral repertoire.
Vocal Ensemble Brevis has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious concert venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Grand Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, and the Sydney Opera House. Alongside its concert activity, the ensemble has achieved remarkable success at leading international choral competitions, consistently receiving the highest awards. Its distinctions include first prizes and gold awards at renowned competitions such as the Helsingborg Choir Festival in Sweden, the World Choir Games in Xiamen (China) and Gangneung (South Korea), the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the United Kingdom, and the International Choral Competition “Prof. Georgi Dimitrov” in Varna (Bulgaria). Further recognitions include jury special prizes and championship awards in St. Petersburg, Sydney, Rimini, Tours, Aarhus, Niš, and other international centres of choral excellence, confirming the ensemble’s sustained artistic excellence and international reputation.
Through three decades of continuous artistic achievement, Vocal Ensemble Brevis remains a prominent representative of Croatian culture on the global stage, combining musical precision, expressive depth, and a clear artistic vision dedicated to the promotion of Croatian choral music worldwide.

Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković

Conductor

Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković is a versatile Croatian conductor, vocalist, pedagogue, and artistic leader whose work integrates historically informed performance practice with innovative interdisciplinary approaches. Her artistic concept frequently expands traditional choral performance through the inclusion of movement, theatrical elements, dance, and multimedia, creating conceptually unified and visually compelling concert experiences.
She completed Master of Arts studies in choral conducting at the University of Pécs, solo singing at the University of Zagreb, and music education in Osijek. She holds two doctoral degrees: a Ph.D. in Pedagogy and a Doctor of Arts degree in Music Performance and Interpretation. Her conducting expertise has been further refined through professional development at internationally renowned institutions, including the Eastman School of Music and Westminster Choir College (USA).
Dr. Radočaj-Jerković is a full professor at the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, where she is actively engaged in higher education, artistic research, and the education of new generations of musicians. Alongside her academic career, she maintains an intensive conducting activity, leading several vocal and choral ensembles in addition to Vocal Ensemble Brevis.
As an artist, Dr. Radočaj-Jerković has received some of Croatia’s highest professional recognitions, including the national Ivan Filipović Award for outstanding achievements in higher education and the City of Osijek Coat of Arms Award for exceptional contributions to music and cultural life.
Under her artistic leadership, ensembles have achieved more than thirty international competition awards, including gold medals and top prizes at major choral events in St. Petersburg, Llangollen, Helsingborg, Xiamen, Varna, Sydney, Aarhus and Gangneung. She has conducted performances at some of the world’s most prestigious concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and the Grand Philharmonic Hall.
Her artistic activity encompasses extensive recording work for radio and television, and the release of thirteen albums of choral music. Alongside her performing career, she is active internationally as an author, lecturer, competition jury member, and serves as Croatia’s representative in the World Choir Council, contributing to the development and promotion of global choral culture.
Through her combined work as conductor, researcher, and educator, Dr. Radočaj-Jerković has established herself as one of the leading figures of contemporary Croatian choral art, recognised for artistic excellence, pedagogical influence, and sustained international engagement.

Davor Dedić

Pianist

Davor Dedić is a Croatian pianist, arranger, and pedagogue whose artistic activity spans classical, jazz, and popular music. Recognised for his stylistic versatility and refined collaborative musicianship, he has developed a multifaceted career combining concert performance, composition, arranging, and music education.
For more than thirty years, he has maintained a close artistic partnership with Vocal Ensemble Brevis and the children’s choir Osječki zumbići, participating in numerous award-winning projects and performing hundreds of concerts in Croatia and abroad. As collaborative pianist, he has appeared at internationally renowned venues including Carnegie Hall (2013) and the Sydney Opera House (2017).
Alongside his classical activity, Dedić is an established jazz pianist and former member of the HGM Jazz Orchestra. His artistic achievements include the prestigious Porin Award, Croatia’s highest recording industry recognition.
His creative work also encompasses composition for documentary and short films as well as theatre sound design, reflecting a broad engagement with interdisciplinary artistic production.
Davor Dedić currently serves as a senior lecturer at the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, where he is actively involved in the education of young musicians while continuing an intensive concert and collaborative career. Through his work as performer, arranger, and educator, he contributes significantly to contemporary Croatian musical life across multiple genres and artistic platforms.

Photo credits: Tomislav Šilovinac