Famous composer Halil Çolakoğlu has passed away

Senior Colonel Halil Çolakoğlu, the composer of the Land Forces March, has passed away at the age of 87.

Announcing the sad news, singer Onur Akay stated, "We have lost Senior Colonel Halil Çolakoğlu, one of the last generation of band composers and the composer of the Land Forces March, which we listened to during the August 30 Victory Day concerts, at the age of 87."

Çolakoğlu, who served for years as a band commander and bandmaster in military bands within the Turkish Armed Forces Land Forces Command, composed numerous well-known marches, including the Cyprus Victory March and the Mehmetçik March.

FUNERAL DETAILS ANNOUNCED

Halil Çolakoğlu's funeral will be held on October 3, 2023, at the Ataköy 5th Section Mosque following the afternoon prayer, and he will be laid to rest at the New Ayazağa Cemetery. May he rest in peace," he stated.

WHO IS HALIL ÇOLAKOĞLU?

Born in Erdek in February 1936, Halil Çolakoğlu served for many years as a band commander and bandmaster in the Turkish Armed Forces military bands.

In 1952, he won admission to the middle school section of the Military Music School in Ankara and received music lessons from many important instructors, most notably Hikmet Şimşek. Later, the artist, who was admitted to the Wind Instruments Department of the Ankara State Conservatory and graduated in 1976, performed many official military ceremonies and public concerts, mostly on national holidays, in the bands where he served for 32 years in the Turkish Armed Forces.

Retiring with the rank of senior colonel, Halil Çolakoğlu went down in history as the 16th Bandmaster in the 163-year history of the Harmony Band, which is a continuation of the Mızıka-i Hümayun tradition.

Throughout his professional life, Çolakoğlu composed a total of 44 works, primarily in the field of military music, including marches for military bands and school anthems.

News Source: 12punto