2011 Arif Mardin Music Fellowship Recipient
The American Turkish Society's fifth Arif Mardin Music Fellowship has been awarded to Emir Demirdag, a 19-year-old percussionist from Mersin, Turkey. Emir will be attending the Five-Week Summer Performance Program at Berklee College of Music taking place July 9 - August 12, 2011.
Throughout his high school career, Emir, who taught himself to play the drums with only the aid of instructional DVDs and books, enjoyed remarkable local and national success in Turkey. He is the recipient of his high school's "Best Music Student" and "Most Promising Musician" awards, and has won numerous titles from local talent shows. Most significantly, out of 2,500 bands, Emir's band qualified for the semi-final of the nationwide "Fanta Stage Music Contest for Amateur Rock Musicians."
On behalf of The American Turkish Society, we congratulate Emir and wish him success this summer at Berklee College of Music.
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
Launched by The American Turkish Society in memory of Arif Mardin (1932-2006), world-renowned producer/arranger and vice chairman of the organization for many years, the Arif Mardin Music Fellowship aims to further the education of promising musicians from Turkey and give them a chance to study in the United States. The program is conducted in partnership with Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where Mardin's successful music career began as the first recipient of the Quincy Jones Scholarship. Past recipients of the Fellowship, from earliest to most recent, include Sirma Munyar (piano/vocal), Canberk Kargi (drums), Erol Balci (guitar) and Olgun Acar (percussion).
Throughout his high school career, Emir, who taught himself to play the drums with only the aid of instructional DVDs and books, enjoyed remarkable local and national success in Turkey. He is the recipient of his high school's "Best Music Student" and "Most Promising Musician" awards, and has won numerous titles from local talent shows. Most significantly, out of 2,500 bands, Emir's band qualified for the semi-final of the nationwide "Fanta Stage Music Contest for Amateur Rock Musicians."
On behalf of The American Turkish Society, we congratulate Emir and wish him success this summer at Berklee College of Music.
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
Launched by The American Turkish Society in memory of Arif Mardin (1932-2006), world-renowned producer/arranger and vice chairman of the organization for many years, the Arif Mardin Music Fellowship aims to further the education of promising musicians from Turkey and give them a chance to study in the United States. The program is conducted in partnership with Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where Mardin's successful music career began as the first recipient of the Quincy Jones Scholarship. Past recipients of the Fellowship, from earliest to most recent, include Sirma Munyar (piano/vocal), Canberk Kargi (drums), Erol Balci (guitar) and Olgun Acar (percussion).
- Published in Culture & Art
- Written by Admin TOA
Young Turkish violinist Burcu Göker, known as the "new diva of the violin," will perform at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall in May. Göker will perform at Carnegie Hall together with American pianist Eric Jenkins on May 2, a statement from the Turkish Culture Ministry said Wednesday. After their concert in New York, the two musicians will come to Turkey and stage performances in five provinces as well as northern Cyprus starting May 9, the statement said.
Famed lawyer Mark Geragos -- one of the most outspoken people in the L.A. Armenian community -- is furious that Cosmopolitan ran a picture of Kim Kardashian on the cover of Turkish Cosmo, saying it's another example of Turks rubbing salt in the wound of the Armenian people.
Turkey's television drama industry has played a pivotal role in enhancing the country's popularity in the Arab world. "Five years ago the image of Turkey was that of the oppressive Ottoman Empire," Joseph Husseini of Bright I in Lebanon, a media training facility, told Xinhua, adding "the first year Gumus was broadcast, Turkey became the top travel destination."
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of Evliya Çelebi, the famous 17th century Turkish traveler who journeyed across the Ottoman Empire and neighboring lands over a period of four decades.
Istanbul (CNN) -- Turkish singer and actor Ibrahim Tatlises was in critical condition Monday after being shot in the head by unknown assailants early Monday morning, his doctor said on television.
To commemorate Turkey's second ambassador in Washington Münir Ertegün and his sons Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegün, the Turkish Embassy in Washington will host a series of jazz concerts. The first concert took place Tuesday with a performance by the Grammy-nominated Orrin Evans Trio. The event drew great interest
Mardin has long been a favorite destination for local film and TV series producers and has now started to attract Hollywood producers as well. With its architectural, cultural and social texture and a history dating back some 7,000 years, Mardin has lured many local directors for movies, documentaries, TV series and clips.
For the first time, two ads tied for the top Super Bowl commercial as selected by consumer panelists rating the ads as they aired in the game for USA TODAY'S 23rd annual exclusive Ad Meter. Both starred dogs acting like, well, people.
U.S. forward Jozy Altidore has joined Turkish side Bursa on a six month loan from Spain's Villarreal. Altidore, 22, is the second striker to join the defending Turkish champions in the transfer window, as Kenny Miller also signed from Scotland's Rangers. The American made just two appearances off the bench for Villarreal in La Liga and his only goals were in the early stages of the Copa del Rey, the country's league cup. 
Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving soldier to have served on the Western Front during World War One will turn 110 tomorrow and two artists have united to share his legacy with the world. Buckles now becomes the oldest person to become a filmmaker. Frank Woodruff Buckles was born in 1901 and has survived WWI, WWII, is lobbying for a National World War One Memorial in DC, is the oldest person to have ever testified before senate and can now add film producer to his resume.
The breakup of the Ottoman Empire set thousands upon thousands of forlorn refugees on the move. Most western chronicles of this era focus only on those of the Christian faith who suffered. TCA is now publishing an annotated map displaying the trails of 5 million Ottoman Muslims who were displaced from the Balkans, Caucasus, and Crimea between 1770-1923. The map also records and provides historical context for the 5 million Ottoman Muslims who died between 1864-1922 in the wars that were fought to dismantle the Ottoman Empire. Prepared by Justin McCarthy, Professor of History at the University of Louisville, the map is a powerful visual tool for both the historian and the casual viewer who seeks better to understand the cataclysm that effected so many millions, Muslim and Christian alike, during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. 
In the Washington, DC area, a group of Turkish professional volunteers started airing the first “Turkish-American Hour” show in September 2005. Since that time, they have produced over 60 programs. They received the Community Access Magic (CAM) Award in the International Category from Prince George’s County Community TV (PGCTV) two years in a row, in 2007 and 2008. The leading name of Turkish American TV, Hurriyet Ok, at the same time works at the World Bank. Ok answered TURKOFAMERICA’s questions. 
