Charles C. Elias Inducted - San Jose 1982
	Charles Elias needs no introduction to the followers of tamburitza music, since the name Elias and the tamburitza are practically synonymous.  His grandfather and his father were both tamburitza musicians, composers and writers of some of the original folk songs.  So Charles Elias is the third generation of tamburitza musicians in the Elias family.  Being the only son, his father started him on the tamburitza at an early age.  Besides the tamburitza, Charles took up the study and playing of the violin, playing in the high school orchestra during his school years and with the college symphony orchestra, while receiving his education at the University of Wisconsin.  During these years the family tamburitza orchestra was organized, and the "Elias Tamburitza Serenaders" became a reality.  After many years of hard practice for perfection, the family orchestra started out what has to be over 20 years of continuous travel, presenting programs and educational school assemblies in every state in the Union, Canada, and Mexico.  Their affiliation with the Extension Division of the Universities of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, California, and Texas, took them to the higher institutions of learning, introducing the American people to the tamburitza.
	With the untimely death of Father Dragutin Elias, young Charles took up the leadership of the "Elias Serenaders".  During the Second World War years, Charles and his group of musicians entertained troops in various camps all over the United States, under the auspices of the State Department USO.  After the war, Charles turned to teaching, writing, and arranging music.  The Elias Tamburitza Serenaders, with new personnel kept the tamburitza popular in the Midwest, playing for dances, weddings, social events, picnics, and concerts.
	In recent years, Charles has devoted most of his time teaching junior groups and writing and arranging music.  He organized and founded the well known "Silver Strings Tammies" of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  During the past 24 years that he has directed the "Silver Strings Tamburitzans", they have achieved many goals -- performances in various sections of the United States, Canada, and Yugoslavia, and yearly concerts in Milwaukee.  They have also had appearances on many TV shows and released two long-play records.
	Ten years ago, Charles organized adult and junior groups in the Waukegan, North Chicago area.  They have been active in concerts and recordings, also having played around the United States and in Yugoslavia.
	In 1969, he was chosen Guest Conductor of the "Junior Cultural Federation Festival" held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Then in 1973, he was honored by the Milwaukee Croatian Civic Club, being chosen 'Man of the Year' for his contribution and dedication to further promoting our beloved songs and music.  His catalogue of fine tamburitza music, expertly arranged, has brought responses from many of our fine orchestras around the globe.
	Charles Elias has devoted his life to the preservation and advancement of the tamburitza and is dedicated to the fine art of music.
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