Croatia is hosting an international military band conference
Major Milan Milas, the bandmaster of the Croatian Armed Forces band, highlights that music has the ability to communicate values of honour, discipline, and camaraderie without the need for translation
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia are hosting an international conference of military bandmasters in Solin from June 9–11, 2025, with support from the Ministry of Defence.
Twenty-two representatives of the military forces and partner countries of NATO members are participating at the meeting. The conference’s varied schedule of talks, hands-on workshops, and collaborative performances aims to enhance military band conducting standards, foster collaboration, and share experiences.
Music as a bridge connecting cooperation, teamwork, and diplomatic dialogue is the conference’s main theme.
The Commander of the Support Command, Colonel Mile Vukičević, opened the Solin conference by highlighting the value of military music as a means of diplomatic representation and preserving military traditions. He emphasised the significance of such gatherings in strengthening the alliance and fostering greater unity among NATO members and partner nations.
In his speech to the participants, Major Milan Milas, the bandmaster of the Croatian Armed Forces band, emphasised the significance of the conference by saying, “This conference connects us on a human level; it goes beyond music. Without the need for translation, music has the power to convey virtues like honour, discipline, and camaraderie.
This international conference also aims to address issues that all military bandmasters face, including how to attract new members, staff bands, reach young people in the social media age, and get public recognition.”
Bringing the military profession closer to young people and using social media effectively to promote the military profession and military bands were the main topics of this 20th conference.
“The organisation is at the highest level. The hosts are superb musicians and professionals. Events like this give us a chance to share our experiences and realise that we face similar challenges.” According to Colonel Philipp Wagner, bandmaster of the Swiss Armed Forces Band, “one of the biggest challenges we face is how to better present ourselves to the public and how to attract young people and get them interested in a military career and a musical career within a military band.”
Speaking on the function and significance of military musicians, the Canadian Forces Band’s bandmaster stated: “From the Canadian Forces’ point of view, the band represents the military. Since the typical Canadian doesn’t get to see a tank driver, pilot, or ship captain, it is our responsibility to remind the public of the military’s existence. We accomplish this by appearing at various public events. It is our duty to instil a sense of patriotism in the populace and link that sentiment to the military, educating the public about the military’s contributions to society. In my opinion, it creates an emotional bond between the public and the armed forces.”
The conference further solidified the Republic of Croatia’s standing as a recognisable partner in international military, cultural, and protocol initiatives. It also demonstrated that military music is still an effective instrument for fostering connections and articulating the core principles of the armed forces.