Cover for the Piraeus concert
(Translation by George Ginis)

THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE 7th US Army
The music missionary of the USA in Europe

The only military symphony orchestra in the world, the Symphony Orchestra of the 7th US Army is certainly one of the strangest music organizations in existence. Organized on a professional basis, this orchestra has demonstrated many successes in Europe since it was formed in Spring of 1952, and it is the only American orchestra that has participated in the music festival of Passau.

During the 4 years of its life the Orchestra of the 7th US Army has given almost 600 performances, and has acquired a permanent position in European music circles. In some ways, it has become one of the most important missionaries of US intellectual activity in Europe.

So far, the orchestra has had 6 permanent directors, and is continually facing a completely new problem in the music world: the constant rotation of its members who need to return to the USA when their tours of duty end. The average age of its members is 22, but all of them must be very well trained musicians before being hired. The repertoire of the orchestra varies from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart to Hindemith, Copland and Barber.

Henry Lewis, the youngest maestro of the 7th Army Symphony, played bass in the Los Angeles Philharmonic for four years. At that time, he was the youngest member of the orchestra - just 18 years old - and the youngest professional musician in the US.

Lewis was sent to the 7th Army Symphony immediately after completing basic training, and was hired again as a bass player. Last September he was appointed assistant conductor and was recently chosen as director from 11 candidates, at the age of only 23 years.