2027 Edition ı 2 weeks between May 20
& June 5, 2027 — dates to be confirmed
Thessaloniki Art & Music Summit
(THAMS) is a new international center for artistic creation, cultural exchange, and contemporary music inspired by Greece.
Organized by Global Arts United (GAU), in partnership with ABLAZE Records, THAMS brings together composers, visual artists, ensembles, and the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO) for two weeks of performances, workshops, collaborations, and cultural immersion in one of Europe’s most historic and vibrant cities.
Each edition celebrates a Greek-oriented theme, drawn from mythology, history, philosophy, or tradition, ensuring that new artistic creation remains rooted in the country’s millennia-old cultural legacy.
Click here for highlights from our past editions or below for our youtube channel:
2027 Edition Highlights
Theme: APHRODITE
The 2027 edition explores Aphrodite, reimagining the ancient figure through new compositions, performances, and interdisciplinary collaborations
Selected participant composers will have Chamber Ensemble Performances with dissonArt ensemble and NO EXIT New Music Ensemble
dissonArt's instrumentation for THAMS 2027 consists of eight performers:
Flute · Clarinet (Bass Cl.) · Percussion · Piano · Violin · Viola · Cello · Double Bass
Additional information about NO EXIT instrumentation will be announced soon
Information for Composers:
Please click here for learning more
Hellenic Music Series
Featuring the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra
Produced by ABLAZE Records, in partnership with Global Arts United
Beginning in 2027, THAMS and TSSO will launch a new alternating-year orchestral recording series:
ı 2027: First recording volume — Aphrodite
ı 2029: Second volume
ı 2031: Third volume, etc.
Each album will feature:
ı A major new work by a participant composer
ı Additional works selected for the project
ı A featured composition by the winner of the International Dimitri Mitropoulos Composition Competition
Composers interested in the Hellenic Music Series will submit their works directly to ABLAZE Records for consideration. Selected works will be professionally recorded by the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra
ABLAZE Records — known for 90+ releases and 20+ international awards — will distribute the series worldwide, expanding the orchestra’s global profile and establishing Thessaloniki as a premier center for contemporary orchestral recording.
Information for Composers:
Please click here for learning more
Educational & Cultural Activities
Participants engage in:
ı Lessons with faculty composers
ı Seminars and masterclasses
ı Rehearsals with chamber ensembles and TSSO musicians
ı Cultural experiences highlighting Thessaloniki’s artistic and historical richness
2028 Edition Highlights
Theme: PROMETHEUS
The 2028 edition explores Prometheus, reimagining the ancient myth through new compositions, performances, and interdisciplinary collaborations
Full-Orchestra Performances with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO)
In 2028, selected participant composers will have their works performed by the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO)—one of Greece’s most distinguished orchestras. Additional chamber music concerts will be given by resident and guest ensembles
Chamber Ensemble Performances with dissonArt ensemble and Ensemble Dal Niente
Instrumentation and additional information will be announced at a later date
Information for Composers:
Please click here for learning more
Educational & Cultural Activities
Participants engage in:
ı Lessons with faculty composers
ı Seminars and masterclasses
ı Rehearsals with chamber ensembles and TSSO musicians
ı Cultural experiences highlighting Thessaloniki’s artistic and historical richness
Long-Term Festival Structure
THAMS follows a clear and exciting pattern designed for artistic continuity:
ı 2026 — Click here for our archive page!
ı 2027 — TSSO recording of Album #1 (Hellenic Music Series) + live chamber concerts
ı 2028 — Live orchestral performances by TSSO + live chamber music concerts
ı 2029 — TSSO recording of Album #2 (Hellenic Music Series) + live chamber concerts
ı 2030 — Live orchestral performances by TSSO + live chamber music concerts
…and so forth.
This structure allows composers to engage with orchestral performance and recording opportunities, while maintaining annual live chamber music concerts, supporting long-term artistic development and professional growth.
Mission Statement
The Thessaloniki Art and Music Summit (THAMS), organized by Global Arts United (GAU) and ABLAZE Records, brings together international musicians, artists, ensembles, and the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra to create and perform new works inspired by Greece. Each edition highlights a Greek-oriented theme—drawn from the country’s history, mythology, philosophy, or traditions—ensuring that contemporary artistic creation remains in dialogue with Greece’s enduring cultural heritage. Through concerts, workshops, and educational initiatives, the festival strengthens Thessaloniki’s role as a cultural crossroads while promoting Greek culture abroad in a living, evolving form.
Rooted in Thessaloniki’s unique identity—a city celebrated in the New Testament, a Byzantine capital and home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, and often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans”—THAMS showcases the city’s history as a meeting point of civilizations. By combining this deep heritage with the energy of today’s vibrant, youthful Thessaloniki, the festival positions the city as an international hub of creativity, tourism, and cultural exchange, carrying the voice of Greece onto the world stage.
A landmark feature of THAMS is the Hellenic Music Series, an orchestral recording project featuring the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra. With a proven track record of more than 90 critically acclaimed releases and over 20 international recording awards, ABLAZE Records has become a respected global voice for expertly performed and recorded orchestral music. The series provides a dedicated platform to showcase the artistic excellence and cultural richness of Thessaloniki’s orchestral tradition, with each volume featuring the Summit’s Composer Competition winner as its keystone work.
Through expert production, worldwide distribution, and international visibility, ABLAZE Records extends and deepens the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra’s already established international profile and reputation for quality recordings. This collaboration celebrates Thessaloniki’s role as a cultural crossroads and positions the orchestra as a beacon of contemporary creativity and a superb artistic force on the world stage.
Program Structure
Typical Edition
For Composers (click here to learn more)
ı Work with the TSSO and/or dissonArt or other chamber ensembles (performance or recording, depending on year)
ı Chamber music rehearsals and concerts
ı Lessons with faculty composers
ı Seminars on orchestration, aesthetics, recording, and industry topics
For Visual Artists (more information soon)
ı Exhibitions connected to the annual Greek theme
ı Interdisciplinary collaborations with composers
ı Opportunities to present new work to local and international audiences
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
A city where antiquity and modernity coexist beautifully:
ı Byzantine walls and UNESCO monuments
ı A vibrant contemporary arts scene
ı Seaside boulevards, markets, nightlife, and youthful energy
ı A welcoming home for international artists
THAMS invites participants to experience Thessaloniki not only as visitors but as creative collaborators in its evolving cultural identity.
Ensembles & Partners