Maribor Octet: Boys and Girls

Pupa or young lady? Sea or river? Refošk or Frankinja? What is it like when a proud Styrian meets a rebellious Primorec and they try to answer these "fundamental" questions?

The Maribor Octet began its musical journey in the autumn of 1973, when nine young men gathered at II. Gymnasium in Maribor with the desire to form an octet. Since 2020, the ensemble has been composed of a new generation of singers who, with the same dedication, preserve the rich heritage of the original group. For the current members of the Maribor Octet, incorporating the Maribor dialect into their rehearsals is essential, as none of the singers are "native" Maribor residents. Nevertheless, when asked why they bear the name Maribor Octet, they unanimously respond that their life paths have led them to Maribor in various ways. In this city, they began to engage more intensively with music, which eventually connected them and left a unique mark on their artistic expression. Maribor has also influenced them in a special way, which is why they proudly carry this name and sincerely thank the city through their singing and the preservation of the rich Slovenian tradition of male ensembles.

In their first year of operation, the singers performed throughout Slovenia and participated in the International Male Choir Festival in Ajdovščina. In June 2024, the octet took part in an international competition in Tuzla, where they won the Grand Prix of the competition. Despite the younger composition, their mission remains true to tradition—seeking beauty primarily in Slovenian folk and art songs. The artistic director of the Maribor Octet is Špela Drašler.

The Maribor Octet consists of
Marko Perger, Matevž Štrekelj, I. Tenor
Žiga Novak, Erik Zavolovšek, II. Tenor
Uroš Jurgec, Anton Pori, Baritone
Aljaž Komprej, Smiljan Pintarič, Bass