Komorni Zbor Orfej - Chamber Choir Orfej

Chamber Choir Orfej from Ljutomer was founded in 1989. Since 1994, when they were invited to work with renowned Slovenian conductor, Professor Janez Bole, artistic director of some of the most prominent Slovenian vocal ensembles (such as Slovenski oktet, APZ Tone Tomšič and Slovenski madrigalisti), the choir also performed under the names Slovenski madrigalisti and Gallus Singers. 

The choir's first permanent artistic director was Romana Rek. Since the autumn of 2017, the choir is led by artistic director Andraž Hauptman and assistant Vito Žerdin. 

After receiving a golden plaque at the national choir competition Naša pesem (Our Song) in 2010, Orfej went on to achieve excellent results at several international competitions. 

2022–Golden plaque, prize for the best performance of a piece by a composer living between 1500 and 1750, prize for the best performance of a piece written in the 19th century, and prize for the best performance of a Slovenian folk song adaptation at the national competition Naša pesem (Our Song) in Maribor. Andraž Hauptman also received the competition’s Best Conductor award. 

2022–Golden plaque and Audience Award at the International Choral Competition Ave Verum, Baden, Austria. Andraž Hauptman also received the competition’s Best Repertoire award. 

2019–third place and best European choir in category A at the 56th International Competition of Choral Singing in Spittal, Austria. 

2018–third place in the category of mixed choirs at the international competition Florilège Vocal de Tours in France, a qualifying contest for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. 

2016-Golden plaque and the prize for best performance of a contemporary Slovenian musical piece composed after 1995 at the National competition Naša pesem (Our Song) Maribor, Slovenia, conductor Andraž Hauptman received the award for best programme selection. 

2015-first prize, golden diploma and the Golden Lyre statuette at the international competition Varsovia Cantat in Warsaw, Poland. 

The many prizes and awards place Orfej among the most prominent choral ensembles in Slovenia.