A new era of Greek military music began during the First World War. A General Inspectorate of Military Music based in Athens and a military music band based in Thessaloniki were both established. Defined the concept of military music as one consisting of folk bands, choirs and model bands. At the time, each band had the following numbers: 76 people (Military Band of Athens), 50 people (Military Band of Thessaloniki) and 42 people (Army Band). From 1917 to 1937, the inspectorate was led by internationally acclaimed National Composer of Greece and later a member of the Academy of Athens Manolis Kalomiris. Alexander Kazantzis (director of the Thessaloniki State Conservatory and professor of violin) occupied the position of Thessaloniki Inspector until 1929 when the post was demobilized and abolished. The Department of Military Music took part in the Asia Minor campaign of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), following the 1st Battalion's Army Headquarters in their military operations.
