? Date: December 3, 2009
? Location: Lütfi Kırdar Convention Center
The Meeting of Music and Talent
Hosted by the Contemporary Education Foundation (ÇEV) and organized by the Young Talents project General Coordinator Berrin Yoleri, a special gala concert was held at the Lütfi Kırdar Convention Center on the evening of Wednesday, December 3, 2009.
On this special night, four talented musicians continuing their education at Berklee College of Music performed:
- Emir Çerman
- Bulut Gülen (trombone)
- Burak Beşir (flute)
- Ekin Cengizhan (drums-percussion)
Accompanied by the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra, they performed their own compositions as well as pieces by Sezen Aksu and Burak Kut, which they arranged with their own unique interpretations.
Renowned Artists and the Orchestra
Guest artists Sezen Aksu and Burak Kut also performed these pieces accompanied by the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra during the night.
On behalf of Berklee College of Music, Vice President David McKay was also among the esteemed guests of the event.
Special Support: As a guest of the Contemporary Education Foundation, renowned composer Tibor Pustzai came to Turkey to voluntarily conduct the orchestra on this night to support the students.
Berklee College of Music – The Pinnacle of Music Education
Berklee College of Music, one of the world’s most prominent music schools, came to Turkey for the first time as part of its scholarship tours.
It is no surprise that the institution, which has introduced numerous important names to the music world for over half a century, is recognized as the most important laboratory of music education for today and tomorrow.
Illustrious Alumni
Berklee College of Music was established to meet all the needs of students who have decided to pursue music as a career, and to this day, it has ensured the development of many important names who have shaped the music world. Among them are:
- Arif Mardin (renowned music producer)
- Ahmet Ertegün (founder of Atlantic Records)
- Quincy Jones (legendary producer)
- Diana Krall (renowned jazz pianist)
Berklee’s International Scholarship Tour
Berklee College of Music held its “scholarship tours”, which it conducts in many countries, in Turkey in 2009.
Event Program
Various events were organized within the scope of the program:
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Promotional meetings
Audition Process
Between November 23-26, 2009, Berklee College of Music’s audition exams were held at the Modern Music Academy in Istanbul.
Berklee’s unique student selection and evaluation process allows applicants to demonstrate their strong musical abilities and advance toward their academic goals. At the same time, it enables the institution to assess a prospective student’s aptitudes and their ability to succeed within Berklee’s dynamic environment.
Scholarship Tours on a Global Scale
Aiming to meet with talented musicians, Berklee College of Music’s worldwide scholarship tour, every year:
? Scope: Visits more than 40 cities in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
? Total Scholarship Value: The total monetary value of the scholarships awarded so far is over 20 million dollars.
