Trumpet in the Hands of the Woman in Contemporary Serbian Popular Music

The case of the “Danijela” trumpet orchestra from Arilje

Abstract

The “Danijela” trumpet orchestra from Arilje is the first ensemble in Serbia whose ‘first trumpet’ and leader, in every sense, is Danijela Veselinović (1993). Apart of Danijela, there are men in the orchestra; they are Danijela’s brothers, cousins and colleagues from the University. Such orchestras (of the family type), in which women play, or in which the leader is a woman in the ensemble, are not unknown in the world as they even existed in the 19th century. This paper analyses the relationship between men and women regarding theory of gender and the way it is covered by the media and in other ways. Through this theory, I examine Danijela’s approach to the trumpet in every detail, as an instrument that is considered as a ‘male’ instrument in Serbia today. This is based upon my personal interview with Danijela Veselinović. This consideration of the trumpet as a male instrument is not unusual, bearing in mind its historical background and its role in society. Through an ethnomusicological comparative analysis of three interpretation, I shall to try to conclude whether, as regards performance, it is a ‘copy’ of the male trumpet orchestra or whether it just leaves a personal touch, and also, whether that touch comes from the gender viewpoint, or, simply said, whether it is a question of the influence of the formal musical education which Danijela’s trumpet orchestra possesses.