Presidential Symphony Orchestra

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Presidential Symphony Orchestra (Turkish: Cumhurbaskanligi Senfoni Orkestrasi) is the presidential symphony orchestra of Turkey located in capital Ankara.

After The Auspicious Incident and closing of the Janissary in 1826 by Mahmud II the Mehter Band transformed to a westernized band. Later on September 17, 1828, Giuseppe Donizetti started his job as the head of the new band. Until Vahdeddin the band is called Mizika-i Humayun (Mızıka-ı Humayun, the Royal Band). With Vahdeddin's reign it will be called Makam-i Hilafet Muzikasi (Makam-ı Hilafet Muzıkası).

After the foundation of the Turkish Republic, the orchestra moved to the new capital Ankara on April 27, 1924 with the order of Atatürk. After moving to Ankara, Musiki Muallim Mektebi (Music Teachers School) also formed in 1924 with the efforts of Zeki Üngör. This school later became the basis of the Ankara State Conservatory.

On June 25, 1932 orchestra received the title of Presidents office and called Riyaseti Cumhur Orkestrasi. With this new formation the band and the orchestra clearly separated.

When Zeki Ungor left the position, Ahmet Adnan Saygun appointed as the conductor of the orchestra in 1934. After Ahmet Adnan Saygun's illness Dr. Ernst Preatorius appointed as the conductor of the orchestra in 1935. Dr. Preatorius held this position until he died in 1946.

Later Hasan Ferit Alnar became the conductor of the orchestra until 1957. In 1957 a new law passed and the name of the orchestra changed to Cumhurbaskanligi Senfoni Orkestrasi (Presidential Symphony Orchestra).