News
Turkey’s oldest polyphonic music institution, the Harmony Band Command — founded in 1826 under the name Muzika-i Humayun — is preparing to mark its 200th anniversary, highlighting a nearly two-century legacy spanning imperial, republican and modern-era state traditions.
The institution was established in Istanbul during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II, and was led for 28 years by Italian bandmaster Giuseppe Donizetti, according to the band’s commander, Col. Levent Türkel, speaking to Anadolu Agency.
Türkel said Donizetti was succeeded by Callisto Guatelli and later Spanish conductor Fernando d’Aranda. In 1908, after the beginning of the Second Constitutional Era, Saffet Atabinen — widely regarded as Turkey’s first orchestra conductor — assumed the post.
He added that the institution was later led by a number of prominent Turkish musicians, including Zati Arca and Osman Zeki Üngör, the composer of Turkey’s national anthem, who served as both commander and conductor.
Following the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, the band was relocated from Istanbul to Ankara in 1924, in line with directives issued by the republic’s founder, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, reflecting the shift of the country’s political and administrative center to the capital.
Three ensembles under one command
The Harmony Band Command currently operates through three units: the Ceremonial and Concert Ensemble, the Morale Team, and the Turkish Harmony Stars Orchestra (TÜRKAY).
Officials said the command represents the cultural face of Turkey and the Turkish Armed Forces at high-level state ceremonies and protocol events, and also participates in festivals and concerts at home and abroad.
Ceremonial and Concert Ensemble
The Ceremonial and Concert Ensemble is composed of selected personnel from the army, navy and air force commands, and forms the institution’s core performance unit, said Band Major Fatih Erdoğdu, who leads the ensemble.
Erdoğdu said the 62-member orchestra is built around wind and percussion sections, combining brass instruments — including trumpet, trombone, horn, baritone, euphonium and tuba — with woodwinds such as flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon.
He said the ensemble performs works from the international band repertoire and follows a layered rehearsal program, starting with individual preparation and progressing through group rehearsals before final sessions in a dedicated practice studio known as the meskhane.
Morale Team
The Morale Team is composed entirely of conscripted soldiers selected for musical ability while completing compulsory service. Members receive cultural training alongside their national duties and perform concerts intended to support troops serving under demanding conditions.
The unit’s repertoire ranges from Turkish folk and Turkish classical to Western classical works, and it also provides musical support for high-level protocol activities at the Ankara Garrison, said Band Major Ahmet Kerim Acar, the unit’s commander.
TÜRKAY
The Turkish Harmony Stars Orchestra, known as TÜRKAY, was established on March 3, 2006, as part of efforts aimed at strengthening public engagement through music.
Its repertoire includes specially arranged pop, jazz, folk and contemporary pieces, and it has taken part in public concerts, festivals and events in Turkey and abroad.
After becoming affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense in 2019, TÜRKAY continued to represent the ministry and the country in domestic and overseas activities, said Lt. Col. Kerimcan Nayman, the orchestra’s commander.
Written by N.J.