In a display of diplomacy through art, members of the Ohio National Guard’s 122nd Army Band recently traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, to engage in a joint musical and cultural exchange. Their mission, part of the State Partnership Program (SPP) between Ohio and Serbia, was more than a performance; it was an act of international cooperation, relationship-building, and personal renewal.
The SPP fosters military interoperability, mutual understanding, and long-term diplomatic ties, thereby strengthening regional stability and enhancing the readiness of both nations to address shared challenges. This collaboration between the 122nd Army Band and the Serbian Armed Forces added a unique cultural and ceremonial layer to the partnership. Through joint performances and shared experiences, Soldiers and musicians built camaraderie, honored traditions, and demonstrated that diplomacy often sounds best in harmony.
Selected for their musicianship, leadership, and cross-cultural tact, the four-Soldier team represented the 122nd Army Band and the United States in an unprecedented joint performance. This small team of enlisted M-Day Soldier-Musicians was carefully chosen based on professionalism, mission readiness, and the ability to operate in diverse environments. With broad musical skills and the flexibility to travel on short notice, they formed a versatile ensemble capable of adapting to various performance demands. Just as important, they offered a reliable and resource-conscious fit for the mission’s strategic goals.
Together with musicians from the Serbian Ministry of Defense’s Stanislav Binicki Orchestra, a prestigious ensemble with deep roots in Serbian military and cultural life, the 122nd prepared and performed a joint concert in Belgrade. The program celebrated the musical heritage of both nations and included military marches, patriotic works, and expressive concert pieces designed to reflect unity and shared values.
SSG Arleigh Wiler, a clarinetist, described the experience as transformative. “The outcome was an amazing first concert together, featuring both their musicians and our own SGT Veronica Elliott on saxophone solos that moved the crowd,” Wiler said. Beyond the stage, the personal connections were just as moving. “Talking with the Serbians after the concert was a true exchange. All the pressure was off… Every Serbian I met was so kind and warm.”
SSG Ariel Supinger, who plays flute, echoed the sentiment. “Everyone was so welcoming and friendly! After rehearsal, a few of the members of the band asked us to have lunch with them before taking us to a museum,” she said. “The people, culture, and hospitality were incredible, and I was honored to connect with fellow musicians and share in such meaningful exchanges.”
Supinger also noted the value of working alongside the Air Force during travel. “Seeing the cultural differences between branches and learning about recent developments in our Joint Operations in Ohio was both interesting and pleasantly surprising.”
Each Soldier returned with new insights and renewed purpose. For Wiler, the trip reignited a personal spark: “I didn’t realize how far I had drifted from producing art from my core… now that I’ve found it again, my sense of ownership, impact, and especially vision has returned with force.”
SGT Jen Grimmer, a trumpeter, experienced several firsts, including her first military aircraft flight. “I was really nervous, but it ended up being fine; we flew with members of the Air National Guard, and they helped make it an enjoyable experience.” She especially cherished the joint concert: “I loved performing at the joint concert with the Binicki orchestra… the experience of playing with other professionals was wonderful.”
The team also took note of the practical takeaways. They compared rehearsal styles, observed new leadership techniques, and left with a stronger sense of how to improve their own operations. “We hope to implement some of those realizations in the future,” said Supinger.
In quiet moments, the musicians discovered more about themselves and each other. “It sounds silly,” Wiler admitted, “but I think I saw for the first time that there can be personal expression in classical music.” For Grimmer, it was a reminder of shared humanity: “It gave me more confidence in interacting with people from different cultures.”
From learning Serbian phrases to navigating jet lag, each Soldier embraced the mission with resilience and grace. As Wiler put it: “Be open to everything, put the mission first, yourself last, and put every experience in between in ultimate focus and presence of mind, so you don’t miss something great.”
As these Soldiers return to Ohio, they bring home more than photos and souvenirs. They bring insight, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. They’re ready to channel what they’ve learned into stronger performances and deeper relationships, sharing stories of partnership, growth, and the power of military music to connect people across cultures and continents, and reinforcing the vital role of the State Partnership Program in uniting allies through shared experience.
