Lithuanian Armed Forces Headquarters Band

The Lithuanian Armed Forces Headquarters Band (Lithuanian: Lietuvos kariuomenės orkestras), also known as the LKO HQ Band is a Lithuanian musical unit stationed in Vilnius, being attached to the Grand Duke Gediminas Staff Battalion and one of 5 that are based in the country.[2] It is the largest professional military band in Lithuania as well as in the military bands in the other Baltic States, being larger than the Kaitseväe Orkester and the Central Military Band of the Latvian National Armed Forces. The orchestra is currently led by Egidijus Ališauskas,[3] with assistance from the deputy commander, Lieutenant Dainius Pavilionis.[4]

Lithuanian Armed Forces Headquarters Band
Lietuvos kariuomenės orkestras
The shoulder patch of the orchestra
Active4 September 1991 (1991-09-04)
Country Lithuania
Allegiance Lithuania
Branch Lithuanian Armed Forces
Size60
Garrison/HQVilnius
Nickname(s)LKO Orchestra
AnniversariesSeptember 4
Commanders
Senior Director of Music/CommanderCaptain Egidijus Ališauskas
BandmasterLieutenant Dainius Pavilionis
Notable
commanders		Major-General Justinas Jonušas[1]

History

On September 4, 1991, the Lithuanian Armed Forces Band was founded following the restoration of Lithuania's independence. The band was then managed by Major General Justinas Jonušas (1938–2013) and was made up of 57 civilian and military musicians, many with prior experience in military bands in the Soviet Union. It was formed in the basis of the HQ Band of the Vilnus Garrison under the Soviet Army, which served as the official military band of the city during Soviet times and was the Lithuanian SSR's principal band for state celebrations.

The main purpose of the band is to participate in the official meetings of high ranking foreign guests and in ceremonial events of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. In addition, the orchestra also conducts regular concerts on public holidays, and competes in musical festivals. As of date, the or orchestra has released seven CD. The orchestra also prepares parades performed during various holidays.[3][5][6]

Performances and Collaborations

Since its creation, the orchestra has worked with the military bands of many other countries that are members of the European Union and NATO. The orchestra has successfully participated in military music festivals and has performed in Germany, Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Estonia, Sweden, Guinea, Czech Republic. In 1996, it won 1st place in the Grand Prix at the International Orchestras in Poland, and in 1999, participated in the NATO Military Orchestra Festival in Kaiserslautern Germany.[6]

References
  1. "Mirė Lietuvos atkurtos Lietuvos kariuomenės Garbės sargybos orkestro kūrėjas Justinas Jonušas" (in Lithuanian). Alfa.lt. 2013-12-28. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  2. http://www.lietuvoskariuomene.lt/en/military_insignia/news_1889/the_lithuanian_army_orchestra_at_the_amber_hope_opening_ceremony
  3. Aleknaitė-Bieliauskienė, Rita (2016-11-18). "Groja Lietuvos kariuomenės orkestras". 7 meno dienos (in Lithuanian). 37 (1189). ISSN 1392-6462.
  4. "Dainius Pavilionis - LMS nariai - Muzikusajunga.lt" (in Lithuanian). Lietuvos muzikų sąjunga. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  5. "Lietuvos kariuomenės orkestras" (in Lithuanian). Lietuvos varinių pučiamųjų instrumentų orkestrų asociacija. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  6. Stanevičiūtė, Sofija (2017-11-25). "11.25. Lietuvos kariuomenės orkestras – šalies pasididžiavimas!" (in Lithuanian). Lietuvos aidas. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.