The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra is welcoming preschool children to a series of concerts running until Friday, October 3, with two performances daily at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall. The side-splitting program, Jeanloup and Etienne: The Orchestral Clown, is brought to life by composer and conductor Stephan Hodel and clown Kurt Bucher.

Filled with laughter, play, and joyful music, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra Hall resounds with children’s applause at the end of this charming program about Jeanloup, a clown who dreams of joining the orchestra, much to the dismay of conductor Etienne. Swiss composer and conductor Stephan Hodel uses an engaging plot and colorful music to introduce children to the magic of orchestral sound through a wide variety of styles and influences. The program features excerpts from famous works such as Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance, alongside recognizable motifs from both classical and rock music.

Hodel has always nurtured a passion for composing for large ensembles and exploring different cultural influences. This curiosity led to his collaboration with professional clown Kurt Bucher, who performs under the stage name Jeanloup, in a project designed to introduce children to the world of music in a fun and imaginative way. A percussionist at heart, Kurt dreamed of being a clown from an early age. After playing with kitchen utensils as instruments, he now showcases his musical talents on the xylophone, much to the delight of the audience.

The Orchestral Clown program is designed for group visits, organized in cooperation with preschools. The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra’s next educational events will be the ever-popular concerts for babies, scheduled from October 29 to 31.