Bogazici Jazz Choir (

Turkish Turkish may refer to: * Something related to Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities in the former Ottoman Empire * The w ...

: Boğaziçi Caz Korosu) is a vocal ensemble founded in 2011 by

Masis Aram Gözbek Masis Aram Gözbek (born 5 November 1987) is a Turkish conductor, artistic director, musician and composer. Biography Born in 1987 in an Armenian family, he has won several international awards including a ''World Championship'' and given numer ...

. The choir has won numerous awards both in

Turkey Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...

and internationally. The choir's primary aim is to introduce polyphonic music to wider audiences and represent Turkey in international competitions.

History

The foundations of the Bogazici Jazz Choir were laid in 1994 within the Bogazici University Music Club (BÜMK). When Masis Aram Gözbek joined as the conductor in 2007, the group operated under the BÜMK umbrella between 2007 and 2011. In 2011, the choir became an independent ensemble under the name "Bogazici Jazz Choir." The choir gained public recognition in 2011 after a jazz performance at the Taksim metro station went viral online. During the

Gezi Park protests A wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in Turkey began on 28 May 2013, initially to contest the urban development plan for Istanbul's Gezi Park. The protests were sparked by outrage at the violent eviction of a sit-in at the park protesting ...

, the choir adapted the lyrics of "

Entarisi Ala Benziyor Karsilamas (; ) is a folk dance spread all over Northwest Turkey and carried to Greece by Anatolian Greek immigrants. The term "karşılama" means "encounter, welcoming, greeting" in Turkish language, Turkish. The dance is popular in Northwestern ...

" into "Çapulcu Musun Vay Vay" and "Kızılcıklar Oldu Mu" into " Çapulcular Oldu Mu" as a form of musical support. These adaptations quickly gained popularity and were widely sung during the protests. Choirs abroad also took interest in these adaptations and requested permission to include them in their repertoires.

Repertoire

The choir's repertoire includes

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

and

contemporary music Contemporary music is whatever music is produced at the current time. Specifically, it could refer to: Genres or audiences * Adult contemporary music * British contemporary R&B * Christian adult contemporary * Christian contemporary hit radio * Con ...

pieces as well as arrangements of

Turkish folk music Turkish folk music () is the traditional music of Turkish people living in Turkey influenced by the cultures of Anatolia and former territories in Europe and Asia. Its unique structure includes regional differences under one umbrella. It includ ...

and

Turkish classical music Ottoman music () or Turkish classical music (, or more recently ) is the tradition of classical music originating in the Ottoman Empire. Developed in the palace, major Ottoman cities, and Sufi lodges, it traditionally features a solo singer wi ...

. Additionally, a cappella performances play a significant role in their programs.

Achievements

Bogazici Jazz Choir has performed at numerous festivals worldwide and has won various international awards. The choir's first international success came in 2008 at the "Vokal Total" competition in

Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...

, where they won silver diplomas in both

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop! (British group), a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Album ...

and

categories. In 2010, at the 6th

World Choir Games The World Choir Games (formerly named the Choir Olympics) is the largest global choral festival and competition. Organised by the Interkultur Foundation for choirs from all over the world, regardless of their country of origin, race, genre of mu ...

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

, they won second place in the Contemporary Music category and third place in both the Chamber Choir and Jazz categories, earning three gold diplomas. In 2011, at the

in Austria, the choir won the world championship in the Contemporary Music and Folklore categories and finished second in the Mixed Choirs category. They also won two additional gold medals in the Grand Prix, bringing their total to five gold medals. In 2012, at the 7th

in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, the choir won three more gold medals. In 2014, in

Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...

Varna Varna may refer to: Places Europe *Varna, Bulgaria, a city ** Varna Province ** Varna Municipality ** Gulf of Varna ** Lake Varna **Varna Necropolis * Vahrn, or Varna, a municipality in Italy * Varna (Šabac), a village in Serbia Asia * Var ...

city, at the 35th International May Choir Competition, the choir won first place in the Mixed Choirs category, and conductor Masis Aram Gözbek received the Young Conductor Special Award. In 2016, at the 64th European Young Musicians Festival in

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

, the choir won first prize in two categories. In 2019, at the

Ohrid Choir Festival Ohrid ( ) is a city in North Macedonia and is the seat of the Ohrid Municipality. It is the largest city on Lake Ohrid and the eighth-largest city in the country, with the municipality recording a population of over 42,000 inhabitants as of ...

North Macedonia North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It shares land borders with Greece to the south, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, Kosovo to the northwest and Serbia to the n ...

, where 34 choirs from 13 countries competed, the choir won the Grand Prix, first place, Best Stage Performance, and Category Championship awards. In 2021, due to the

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

pandemic, the choir participated in the Barcelona International Choir Festival online and won first place in the Mixed Choirs category with their video performance.

External links

Official Website

YouTube Channel

References

{{Reflist Turkish choirs Musical groups established in 2011 2011 establishments in Turkey