Branko Mrak

Branko Mrak began his musical journey at the age of ten at the Logatec Music School, where he was taught by professors Otmar Senegačnik, Uroš Polanc, Ivan Polanc, and Matej Krajter. As the youngest member of the Slovenian Youth Symphony Orchestra, at the age of twelve—while most of his peers were still busy looking for lost LEGO bricks—he performed Dvořák’s 8th Symphony under the baton of Marko Munih. After three years of education, he successfully passed the entrance exams at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, specializing in jazz trombone under the mentorship of renowned professor Ed Neumeister.

In 2009, he founded the Big Band Wonderbrass, performing as both a soloist and conductor for four successful years across Slovenia and abroad. The following year, he became the conductor of the Alpina Žiri Wind Orchestra, and in 2013, he took on the same role with the Vogrsko Wind Orchestra. In 2014, he founded the music school for the Alpina Žiri Wind Orchestra in Žiri, which educates around 50 students annually in woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. He also became the director of the school.

As a composer, Branko Mrak recorded the album Žirokenrol in 2016, which features his compositions for wind orchestra and jazz band. He also contributed as a conductor and producer during its production. As a trombonist and soloist, he has performed with distinguished orchestras, including the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, the Slovenian Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, and the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana.

He has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Marko Letonja, En Shao, Reinhold Pleschberger Schmolzer, Sigi Feigl, Tadej Tomšič, Žarko Prinčič, and Mitja Dragolič. As a member of the Academy of Basel’s Contemporary Music Ensemble in Switzerland, he performed under the baton of Jürg Henneberger, contributing to the preparation and execution of the Little Prince installation, which was presented at a concert during the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

In 2002, he recorded with the group S.K.A.T. for their debut album Nasedla ladja. He has also played with bands such as Fehtarji and Slon in Sadež, further enriching his musical experience. In March 2023, he arranged compositions for the group Same Babe for their tribute concert to Viki in Kino Šiška.

His creativity extends to instrumental funk with the group D’Zombies, pop rock with Josip Brass, and performances with Cherry Wine. As part of the Prešeren Theatre Kranj ensemble, he performs in the theatrical production Predsednice, directed by Jure Novak, alongside Darja Reichman, Vesna Jevnikar, and Tina Resman.

Together with Maja Predatoria, he prepared a musical program for Alpina’s fashion shows and footwear presentations by Peter Kozina. Between 2021 and 2024, he led the Vrhnika Big Band, organizing remarkable concerts featuring prominent guests like Uroš Buh, Rok Šinkovec, Maja Keuc, Lea Sirk, Neisha, Tomaž Gajšt, Blaž Jurjevčič, Uroš Perič, and Tadej Tomšič. As a conductor, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including a gold plaque with commendation, as well as gold and silver plaques. In 2016, he introduced the music subscription series for the Alpina Žiri Wind Orchestra, organizing at least four concerts annually with original arrangements and compositions created for the occasion.

He has also participated in music seminars with renowned American drummer Ari Hoenig and saxophonist Rick Margitza, further honing his expertise.

His diploma concert at GMPU Klagenfurt, where he is completing his artistic studies in jazz trombone, is set to take place in 2025 in collaboration with his big band.