In the fall of 1983, father Ante Jurić, assistant pastor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Croatian Catholic church, along with the support of Emil Plečko and Ivica Abramović founded the Tamburica Orchestra under the auspices of the church. Tamburaški Orkestar Kardinal Stepinac was founded to gather Croatian girls and boys and teach them how to play the Croatian national instrument - the "tamburica". Along with playing the tamburica, the orchestra also sung and danced various folklore choreographies. Through the activities of the orchestra, the rich culture and traditions were preserved and passed on to younger generations. Not only does the group accept new students yearly, it was also able to develop a generation of young teachers who with love and enthusiasm continue the work of the orchestra to this day.

TOKS has performed right accross western Canada as well as toured in Croatia since its formation in 1983. Some of hilights include participating in the 29th International Folklore Feestival in Zagreb (Smotra Folklora), performing for Croatian soldiers injured during the war for independence and pariticipating in festivals, particularly the festival in 2003 after a nine year absence.

Today TOKS has grown to a level that it has never achieved before with one senior orchestra and three junior classes. Even with all the good times we have experienced, we know that our best moments are yet to come...

Visit Tamburaški Orkestar Kardinal Stepinac online: www.toks.ca