Conductor’s Corner

Serving the Rochester community as Music Director and Conductor of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra since 2014, Zeljko Milicevic graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Violin Performance. He completed his Master of Music in Education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In 2007, he earned a Certificate in Orchestral Studies from Wayne State University with an emphasis in Conducting and Violin Performance.

A sought-after conductor, violinist, educator, clinician and adjudicator, Milicevic began his service in public education in 1990 and has taught music to students at all grade levels. He has led orchestra programs in Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools, Utica Community Schools, and Farmington Public Schools. He retired from Oxford Community Schools in 2015 where he was Director of Orchestras and District String Coordinator, grades K-12. In addition, he has been on staff as Adjunct Professor of String Pedagogy at Oakland University in Rochester, MI since 2005.

A member of the Flint Symphony Orchestra since 1987, Milicevic was appointed to the position of Associate Concertmaster in 2011. His role as Concertmaster of the Bijou Orchestra, a 13-member salon theatre orchestra located in Bay City, MI, has afforded him numerous memorable performances in the mid-Michigan area including the revival of silent movies set to live music, performing as soloist, and presenting period reviews in concert specializing in music from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. He has also performed with many of Michigan’s regional orchestras including the Michigan Opera Theatre, Saginaw-Bay Orchestra and The Midland Symphony Orchestra.

An avid chamber musician, his career includes engagements with numerous ensembles. He performs with the Ivybrooke Strings where he engages in a variety of chamber music settings including trios and quartets and specializing in violin and piano duo. The duo enjoys performing recitals and performing for community groups in the Rochester area. Milicevic is also a violinist with the Classic Impressions String Quartet comprised of principals of the Flint Symphony Orchestra. His most recent recording projects include a musical portrayal based on the book Einstein’s Dreams with the Bijou Orchestra, and the piano trios of Mendelssohn and Haydn recorded with the Ivybrooke Strings. As an outreach of the Flint Symphony Orchestra, he is a violinist with the Troubadours ensemble.

Milicevic has previously directed the Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra and Symphony of the Lakes. Presently, he serves as Music Director and Conductor for the Detroit Medical Orchestra in Detroit as well as Senior Director with the Oakland Youth Orchestras where he has conducted the Symphony Orchestra since 1994.