Sarajevo, Dayton philharmonics to perform during NATO Parliamentary Assembly session in Dayton

From left: Patrick Nugent, president and CEO of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance; Sue Edwards, president of Wright State University; Gabriel van Aalst, president and CEO of Dayton Live; and Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) announce the "Concert for Peace" Monday at the Schuster Center. Photo by Russell Florence Jr.

Credit: Russell Florence

Credit: Russell Florence

From left: Patrick Nugent, president and CEO of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance; Sue Edwards, president of Wright State University; Gabriel van Aalst, president and CEO of Dayton Live; and Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) announce the "Concert for Peace" Monday at the Schuster Center. Photo by Russell Florence Jr.

The Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a “Concert for Peace” Thursday, May 29 at the Schuster Center in conjunction with the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session.

The announcement was made at a news conference Monday at the Schuster Center. Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, was joined by Gabriel van Aalst, president and CEO of Dayton Live, Patrick Nugent, president and CEO of the Dayton Philharmonic, Vedran Tuce, director of the Sarajevo Philharmonic, and Sue Edwards, president of Wright State University.

Dayton is the only city in the United States where the Sarajevo Philharmonic will perform on this tour. The Spring Session, which will take place May 22-26, will include a number of unique features and special guests in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords.

The Sarajevo Philharmonic, with assistance from the Dayton Philharmonic, will also perform for the NATO parliamentarians and invited guests at the closing dinner of the Spring Session at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Conductor Marin Alsop poses for a portrait at the Metropolitan Opera on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in New York. She will conduct the "Concert for Peace" May 29, 2025 at the Schuster Center. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

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Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

The “Concert for Peace” will be conducted by world renown director Marin Alsop, the first woman to serve as the head of major orchestras in the United States, South America, Austria and Great Britain. The NATO concert will be conducted by DPO Music Director and Artistic Director Neal Gittleman.

Turner visited Bosnia nearly three years ago in the hope of bringing the Sarajevo Philharmonic to Dayton for this auspicious NATO occasion. He is thrilled his dream will come to fruition.

“This is going to be a concert for peace to commemorate peace in the Balkans, the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, but also a concert for our community,” Turner said. “Sarajevo Philharmonic and the Dayton Philharmonic will be joining together for this concert and our community will be able to come together as we did 30 years ago to commemorate what occurred here and what was accomplished in peace in the Balkans.”

“We are really honored that we will be able to be a part of the ‘Concert for Peace,’” Tuce said via Zoom. “Music is the universal language and we will show the world how it works.”

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10). Photo by Russell Florence Jr.

Credit: Russell Florence

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Credit: Russell Florence

Van Aalst, who noted the concert was funded in part by a grant from the Dayton Foundation and generous support from a particular friend of the arts, is also anticipating a fruitful partnership.

“In collaboration with the Dayton Philharmonic, the (Sarajevo Philharmonic) will put on an exceptional evening that unites cultures and celebrates the power of peace,” van Aalst said. “We’re thrilled to present this magnificent event showcasing the unifying force of music. The arts and entertainment scene in Dayton is vibrant and exciting. We’re looking forward to presenting an evening that celebrates Dayton’s legacy of championing for peace and shines a bright spotlight on our flourishing arts community.”

Nugent eagerly awaits the collaboration as well.

“We are really honored to have been invited to participate in this pair of concerts,” Nugent said. “Our musicians are so excited to be working together with (the Sarajevo Philharmonic) musicians.”

From left: Patrick Nugent, president and CEO of Dayton Performing Arts Alliance; Gabriel van Aalst, president and CEO of Dayton Live, Sue Edwards, president of Wright State University; and Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10). Photo by Russell Florence Jr.

Credit: Russell Florence

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Credit: Russell Florence

During the Spring Session, the Sarajevo Philharmonic will be hosted by Wright State University. The musicians will live on campus and use the Creative Arts Center facilities.

“We will make them feel more than welcome,” Edwards said. “We’re also going to enjoy them using our facilities to practice (including) our fantastic Concert Hall. Our students are incredibly excited for them to join us. We have a very talented music program so they are very excited for them to come and watch them practice their craft in our facilities.”

As preparations for the Spring Session develop, Turner is confident the “Concert for Peace” will be a world class event for a world class city.

“This is going to be an exciting time and an incredible opportunity for our community to celebrate,” he said.

Tickets for the “Concert for Peace” will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Dayton Live. For tickets or more information, call 937-228-3630 or visit daytonlive.org.


NATO ASSEMBLY IN DAYTON

CareSource properties and the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center will host the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Spring Parliamentary Assembly on Memorial Day weekend. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-Dayton), Montgomery County Commissioner Debbie Lieberman and Dayton City Councilman Chris Shaw last year jointly announced plans to bring more than 600 delegates and staff members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to the area May 24-26.

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