Türkiye’s oldest polyphonic music institution turns 200

ANKARA

Türkiye’s oldest polyphonic music institution, the Harmony Band Command, founded in 1826 under the name Muzika-i Hümayun, is celebrating its 200th anniversary.

Following the proclamation of the republic, the Harmony Band Command was relocated from Istanbul to Ankara, the new capital, in 1924 in line with the directives of Türkiye’s founder Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The institution assumed its current structure in 1975 with the inclusion of the Morale Team, composed of enlisted musicians performing their compulsory military service and was further expanded in 2006 with the establishment of the Turkish Harmony Stars (TÜRKAY) Orchestra.

Today, the Harmony Band Command showcases the cultural face of Türkiye and the Turkish Armed Forces at high-level state ceremonies, as well as at festivals and musical events both at home and abroad.

The Harmony Band Command was founded in Istanbul in 1826 by Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II and Italian bandmaster Giuseppe Donizetti, who served as its head for 28 years, the band’s commander, Col. Levent Türkel, told state-run Anadolu Agency.

“Following Donizetti’s death, Callisto Guatelli and later the Spaniard Fernando d’Aranda served as commanders and conductors of our institution,” he said.

According to Türkel, after the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era, Saffet Atabinen, the first Turkish orchestra conductor, assumed the post in 1908.

“Subsequently, many distinguished musicians, including Zati Arca and Osman Zeki Üngör, the composer of the Turkish Independence March, served our institution as both commanders and conductors,” he added.

Under the Harmony Band Command, there are three separate musical groups: the Ceremonial and Concert ensemble, the Turkish Harmony Stars and the Morale Team.

Members of the Ceremonial and Concert ensemble first rehearse individually on their specialized instruments, then collectively with their group before going on duty. Final rehearsals before concerts are held in a space known as the “meşkhane” (practice studio).

The orchestra is composed of elite personnel from the army, navy and air force commands and functions as a special unit, said Band Maj. Fatih Erdoğdu, commander of the Ceremonial and Concert ensemble.

He noted that the orchestra consists of 62 members and is made up of wind and percussion instruments.

“In addition to brass instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, horn, baritone, euphonium and tuba, our orchestra also includes woodwind instruments like the flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon. We perform distinguished works from the global band repertoire in our concerts,” he said.

Morale Team

The Morale Team is carefully selected from among soldiers serving in the force commands. Conscripts with musical talent are included in the unit and receive cultural training alongside their national service.

Consisting solely of conscripted soldiers, the Morale Team takes part in concerts aimed at boosting the morale of troops serving under challenging conditions.

“The Morale Team can perform various genres, including Turkish folk music, Turkish classical music and Western classical music. It also provides musical support for high-level protocol activities at the Ankara Garrison,” said Morale Team Commander Band Maj. Ahmet Kerim Acar.

The Turkish Harmony Stars orchestra, known as TÜRKAY, was established on March 3, 2006, as part of the Turkish Armed Forces’ efforts to strengthen ties between the army and the public.

Since its founding, TÜRKAY has taken part in numerous public concerts, festivals and events in Türkiye and abroad.

“Our repertoire consists of specially arranged pop, jazz, folk and contemporary pieces. After being affiliated with the National Defense Ministry in 2019, our orchestra has proudly and successfully represented our country and ministry in activities both at home and abroad,” TÜRKAY Commander Lt. Col. Kerimcan Nayman said.