Pop Hor Amateur Choir Expands Across Serbia

Apr 26, 2026, 08:13

Introduction

Pop Hor, an amateur pop choir founded in Gornji Milanovac, has expanded its activities to ten Serbian towns. The group focuses on inclusivity and mental well-being rather than formal musical skills.

Main Body

Founded in 2022 by Nenad Azanjac and his wife, Pop Hor follows a model used by international community choir projects. The organization does not require auditions or the ability to read music, which allows people of all ages to participate. Since it started, about 2,000 people—mostly women—have joined. The choir mainly sings Serbian popular music, along with some Bosnian and Croatian songs, and performs at various local and international events. The growth of the choir happens during a difficult time in Serbia, marked by economic instability and political divisions. For example, in 2024, young people led protests against President Aleksandar Vucic's government following a fatal railway accident caused by poor infrastructure. Participants like Nevenka Bila and Radmila Kozarac have claimed that the choir acts as a psychological balance to these tensions, helping people connect and reduce their stress. From a medical point of view, experts support the benefits of these group activities. Professor Aleksandra Djuric from Singidunum University emphasized that singing together lowers cortisol levels and releases positive hormones. As a result, the choir provides a mental break from constant news and societal pressure. Furthermore, founder Nenad Azanjac noted that some members join through therapeutic referrals, asserting that the main goal is social integration rather than musical perfection.

Conclusion

Pop Hor continues to grow within Serbia, and the founder has expressed his intention to expand the project throughout the wider Balkan region.

Vocabulary Learning

audition (n.)
trial performance / a short performance to show suitability for a role試音；試演
Example:She felt nervous before her audition for the leading role in the musical.
emphasize (v.)
highlight / to give special importance or prominence to something強調；重視
Example:The teacher wanted to emphasize the importance of regular practice.
inclusivity (n.)
inclusion / the practice of including people from many different backgrounds包容性；共融性
Example:The company promotes inclusivity by hiring people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
infrastructure (n.)
basic systems / the basic physical and organizational structures needed for a society基礎建設；基建設施
Example:The government is investing heavily in the city's transport infrastructure.
integration (n.)
combination / the process of becoming part of a group or society融合；整合
Example:The program aims to support the social integration of new immigrants.

Sentence Learning

The organization does not require auditions or the ability to read music, which allows people of all ages to participate.
Relative Clause: The relative pronoun 'which' refers to the entire preceding clause, describing the result of the situation.關係子句：關係代名詞「which」在此指代前面的整個子句內容，用以描述該情況所產生的結果。
Founded in 2022 by Nenad Azanjac and his wife, Pop Hor follows a model used by international community choir projects.
Passive Voice / Reduced Relative Clause: The past participle 'Founded' functions as a reduced relative clause to provide background information about the subject.被動語態 / 簡化關係子句：過去分詞「Founded」充當簡化關係子句，為句子的主體提供背景資訊。
The growth of the choir happens during a difficult time in Serbia, marked by economic instability and political divisions.
Past Participle Phrase: The phrase 'marked by' acts as an adjective to describe the specific characteristics of the 'difficult time'.過去分詞短語：「marked by」短語起形容詞作用，用以描述該「艱難時期」的具體特徵。
Professor Aleksandra Djuric from Singidunum University emphasized that singing together lowers cortisol levels and releases positive hormones.
Noun Clause: The 'that' clause functions as the direct object of the reporting verb 'emphasized' to state a specific fact or finding.名詞子句：「that」引導的子句作為報導動詞「emphasized」的直接賓語，用以陳述特定的事實或研究發現。
Furthermore, founder Nenad Azanjac noted that some members join through therapeutic referrals, asserting that the main goal is social integration rather than musical perfection.
Present Participle Phrase: The word 'asserting' introduces a participle phrase that provides additional information or explanation regarding the speaker's statement.現在分詞短語：「asserting」引導的分詞短語為說話者的陳述提供額外的補充資訊或解釋。