UNSRC Orchestra is an international ensemble of musicians who work at the United Nations, as well as other international organisations, agencies, programmes and funds located in New York. The goals of our ensemble are, through music, to promote peace, friendship and cooperation between nations, respect for diversity and universality. By involving those who work in international organizations, the orchestra shows their engagement in these ideals.

Our roster has over 90 active musicians from 26 countries, 17 different departments of the United Nations, and four diplomatic missions.

Music Director

Predrag Vasić is a veteran staff member of the United Nations. He is also a seasoned musician. He began his musical career while still studying conducting at the Academy of Music of Belgrade, Serbia. His early professional experiences as a conductor were in Belgrade's only musical theatre, "Pozorište na Terazijama", and he was at the time the youngest professional conductor in Yugoslavia. During his conducting career, he has performed with many prominent orchestras of the region: Belgrade Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra of RTV Belgrade, Symphony Orchestra of the Armed Forces of Yugoslavia, Zagreb Philharmonic, etc. Even after leaving Belgrade to pursue a UN career, Mr. Vasić continued to collaborate with his old theatre as orchestrator and arranger. Mr. Vasić is currently working at the Strategic Planning and Communications Services in the Department for Economic and Social Affairs.

Executive Council

UN Orchestra is governed by the Executive Council, comprised of five members. They are responsible for the administration, overall policy and direction of the Orchestra. Current members of the council are:

President: Predrag Vasić (Conductor, Music Director)

Vice-President: Marwa Shamy (Flute)

Ms. Shamy has been a member of the ensemble since 2015. She studied flute in her native Egypt, and has played for many years in chamber music settings, as well as with the orchestra of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, UK. She has received a music schoarship during her studies. She is an Arabic interepreter at the Department for Generall Assembly and Conference Management.

Treasurer: Martin Alvarez (Flute)

Mr. Alvarez was one of the founding members of the UN Symphony Orchestra. He has studied flute in his native Philippines. He was a member of a community orchestra for seven years before coming to work at the UN. He currently works at the Department of Management.

Secretary: Bojan Grozdanić (Clarinet)

Mr. Grozdanić has completed high school of music (clarinet performance) and has played in various ensembles. In addition to clarinet, he also play baritone saxophone. He currently works for the Department of Public Information.

Public Relations Officer: Lydia De Bortoli (Contrabass)

Ms. De Bortoli has played the piano for ten years before taking up bass. Before coming to New York, she played in a community orchestra in Lyon, in her native France. She works as a translator at the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management.