29 May Miller Diversified & BGSU Sponsor the Toledo Symphony’s Appalachian Spring Concert for America’s 250th
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Photo credit: Bowling Green State University College of Musical Arts
Miller Diversified and Bowling Green State University are proud to co-sponsor an unforgettable evening with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial. On June 6, 2026, at 8 PM in the magnificent Peristyle of the Toledo Museum of Art, audiences will be transported into history by Aaron Copland’s enduring Appalachian Spring, in a celebration that embodies the belief that vibrant communities are forged through a shared commitment to the arts.
Why the Arts Matter Now
Economic Growth
Research demonstrates that robust arts ecosystems correlate with regional economic development and talent attraction. As Brandon Sehlhorst, Chief Growth Officer, City of Toledo, notes: “The cities that are winning today’s competition for talent, investment, and jobs are the ones that are creating vibrant and authentic places and experiences. Economic development today is about more than sites and infrastructure; it’s about creating places that people feel connected to and inspired by, and the arts are central to that mission.” Organizations seeking to recruit skilled professionals increasingly recognize that cultural vibrancy serves as a competitive advantage. The arts sector generates direct employment, supports local commerce, and creates conditions for long-term economic sustainability.
Cultural Legacy
Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring exemplifies American musical heritage, drawing from traditional Shaker folk music that helped sustain communities through the Great Depression. Music has often played a vital role in maintaining the human spirit and inspiring collaboration, resilience, and the will to push forward. Such compositions preserve cultural memory and provide frameworks for understanding historical and contemporary social phenomena. As America’s 250th approaches, intentional stewardship of musical traditions ensures that these significant cultural artifacts survive as a reminder of where our country came from and provide a lens into a time otherwise lost to future generations.
Human Development
Participation in the arts strengthens cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills. The arts cultivate essential capacities—tenacity, courage, empathy—necessary for individual and collective flourishing. Historical evidence indicates that arts education remains foundational to professional training in disciplines that can range from creative arts to C-suite executives in seemingly unrelated fields. The arts develop a wealth of “soft” skills that allow for efficient learning, communication, and teamwork, and the willingness to put oneself on the stage for the greater good. Continuing to support arts education provides these opportunities for everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background. In some ways, the arts act as an equalizer, where human storytelling takes precedence over financial and social achievement.
Real Connection
The arts facilitate authentic human connection and shared experience in an era of digital fragmentation. They create opportunities for community participation and deeper engagement with meaning-making processes. Artists collaborate and perform on a stage that inherently permits access solely based on desire to create and share.
Institutional Partnership and Community Impact
Miller Diversified, BGSU, and the Toledo Symphony represent sustained institutional commitment to northwest Ohio. Through long-term partnership and shared mission, these organizations demonstrate that thriving communities require intentional investment in cultural and artistic infrastructure. Bill Mathis, Dean of the BGSU College of Musical Arts, affirms: “When educational institutions and regional businesses work together to support the arts, entire communities benefit. BGSU’s collaboration with Miller Diversified reflects a shared commitment to this idea, celebrating the vital role the arts play in enriching civic life and contributing to the economic and cultural vibrancy of our region.”
Join the Celebration
Attend the concert. Experience the music. Be part of the story.
The arts are foundational to community health, and our investment in this evening reflects over a century of Miller Diversified’s community stewardship legacy. To learn more about the values and history that drive Miller Diversified’s mission, we invite you to watch our commemorative “Simple Gifts” video and look forward to celebrating America’s vibrant cultural heritage with you at this landmark anniversary.
ABOUT MILLER DIVERSIFIED
Miller Diversified is a family-owned company in Maumee, OH that offers real estate development, construction, brokerage, property management, and a real estate investment fund. The company has been in business for over 100 years and has a strong commitment to providing the greatest possible outcomes for clients and customers. For more information about Miller Diversified, visit millerdiversified.com.