Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra embarks on first US tour, will be joined by Ohio National Guard’s 122nd Army Band in concert

COLUMBUS, OH, UNITED STATES

10.03.2014

Courtesy Story

Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra has invited the Ohio National Guard’s 122nd Army Band to perform during its first U.S. tour, Oct. 7 at Severance Hall in Cleveland. Together, they will perform the American and Serbian national anthems.

Through the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP), a component of the Defense Department's efforts to build worldwide partnership capacity in support of the National Security Strategy, Ohio has been partnered with the Serbian Armed Forces since 2006.

“While this is not an SPP-sponsored event, it demonstrates how the military-to-military relationships developed through SPP over the years have opened doors to broader connections between partners,” said Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general. “This special event is a natural part of the evolution of Ohio’s strong partnership with Serbia.”

For the first time in its 90 years of existence, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will be appearing on the world’s most prestigious classical music scene, by touring the U.S. From an artistic standpoint, the tour of four major American cities (Chicago, Cleveland, Washington D.C. and New York during the Oct. 6-9 time frame) brings valuable experience and prestige to the orchestra, which could earn future invitations to perform in the most renowned concert halls in Europe and Asia, according to information provided by the orchestra and its publicist.

During the last few years, the orchestra has had several successful tours and guest performances in countries including Italy, Austria, Sweden, France, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia.

Highlights on the international stage include appearances at the 2010 Ravello Festival, the first post-war guest performance at the opening of the Julian Rachlin and Friends Festival in Dubrovnik, Croatia and a 13-concert tour in Italy in 2011.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2014
• Date Posted: 10.03.2014 17:32
• Story ID: 144264
• Location: COLUMBUS, OH, US