About Music School “Josif Marinković” – Zrenjanin
Music School “Josif Marinković” in Zrenjanin stands as a pillar of musical education and cultural tradition in the region of Vojvodina, Serbia. With roots tracing back to the 19th century, Zrenjanin has long been a center of musical activity. Choirs, orchestras, and musical societies flourished under the guidance of passionate enthusiasts, laying the foundation for a formal music education system.
Following the end of World War II, the need for organized musical instruction led to the establishment of the City Lower Music School in 1948. Originally offering piano, string, and wind instrument departments, the school quickly became a cornerstone for young musicians. As interest and enrollment grew, the first generation graduated in 1954, and the need for a secondary-level institution became evident.
In the 1961/1962 school year, the Secondary Music School opened with two departments: theoretical-teaching and artistic. Together, the lower and upper levels formed a unified institution under the name Music School “Josif Marinković”, honoring the renowned Serbian composer. The date of his death, May 13, was later declared the school’s official Day of Celebration.
Over the decades, the school underwent numerous educational reforms, adapting to changing systems while preserving its core mission: to provide high-quality music education. It became a four-year secondary school by 1983, offering individual, group, and class instruction in various musical disciplines.
The school has been led by sixteen directors, each contributing to its growth and development. Their dedication ensured that the institution not only survived but thrived as a vital part of Zrenjanin’s cultural identity.
Today, more than seventy years since its founding, Music School “Josif Marinković” continues to be the right place for taking the first musical steps—fostering talent, enriching lives, and inspiring future generations.
For more about the school’s history, see the publication: Mr. Saveta Stojanović, Music School “Josif Marinković” 1948–1998, Atelje FORSA, Zrenjanin, 1998.