Multiculturalism
At Its Best!
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Vancouver
Turkish Choir at the European Festival, May 31, 2014 / Photo
by Nazim Edeer |
Canadians
playing Turkish music at a Greek Festival in Vancouver! This is
what I call multiculturalism, and Vancouverites are doing an excellent
job at it.
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VTC
at the European Festival- Kate Gerson (clarinet)
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The Vancouver
Turkish Choir (VTC) currently is an ensemble composed of singers
and instrumentalists from various ethnic backgrounds and ages, who
all love traditional Turkish music. The ensemble's members have
diverse professional "day jobs", and like to get together
for the hobby that they are passionate about. In 2008 when TCS screened
"Desperate Hours" and my film "Land of Exodus and
Beauty" at the Pacific Cinematheque, I invited Musiki Parea
to play music. I thought adding traditional Greek and Turkish live
music would complement these films and the event very well. I knew
Laura Blumenthal of Musiki Parea, who accepted the invitation. The
screening of the two films with the band's lovely music in between
was a great success. On that day, organizer of the Turkish choir
Demet Edeer met Musiki Parea, and had a vision. She invited the
band to play with the choir, and the rest is history. Since 2008
with the addition of some TurkishCanadian instrumentalists as well
the Turkish choir with a band has had a new and enriched presence.
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VTC
at the European Festival. From left, first row: Laura Blumenthal
(santouri), Erika Gerson (tamboirine), second row: Bahar Çinarli,
Demet Edeer, Özge Göktepe, Tulen Çankaya; third row: Jacob
de Camillis, Alper Dama, Ali Ergüdenler (vocalists).
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VTC
at the European Festival. From left, first row: Mark Hamilton
(guitar), Laura Blumenthal (santouri), Erika Gerson (tambourine),
Kate Gerson (clarinet); 2nd row: Yeshare Sonay, Bahar Çinarli,
Özge Göktepe, Tulen Çankaya, Aysegül Dogar; 3rd row: Sema
Kutay Aydede, Senkal Öztürkler, Ali Ergüdenler, Sapideh Salimi.
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At
the Greek Summer Festival, June 27, 2014. Three of the Vancouver
Turkish Choir musicians celebrating immediately after their
performance; from left: Laura Blumenthal (santouri), Bahar
Cinarli (vocalist), Lisa Ronald (clarinet). Greek Fest photos
are taken by Aliriza Quluncu
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The VTC increased
its visibility in 2014, appearing in 3 festivals in the first half
of the year: Lyrids Folk Dance Festival, Eurofest BC, and the Greek
Summerfest. The repertoire was comprised of wellknown and popular
traditional Turkish songs, such as "Kızılcıklar Oldu mu",
"Muhabbet Bağı", "Vardar Ovası", "Kalenin
İçinde Taş Ben Olaydım", "Tel Tel Taradım Zülfünü"
and so on. The talented Kate Gerson's clarinet solo in "Penceresi
Yola Karşı" always receives a big applause. I truly enjoy going
to the practices. Sevgi Doğan's cheerful personality and dynamic
conducting added to the joy and quality this year. The ensemble
continues to have a very amateur soul; at each practice there are
a few members who cannot attend, but their places are eagerly filled
by newcomers, or some who only join in every now and then. While
this presents some difficulties during performances, it also provides
extra fun during the practices. Şenkal Öztürkler, one of the most
dedicated longterm members, would never miss a practice. Also, the
recent addition of Adam Balmoral was most welcome in the vocals
department. Playing, singing, and possibly having to improvise on
the spot with a slightly different ensemble each time is invigorating.
Practices occasionally are almost like jam sessions. Interested
people only have to bring their instruments (or their voices) and
show up.
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VTC
at the EuroFest. From left, Sevgi Dogan (conductor), Mark
Hamilton (guitar), vocalists: Sema Kutay Aydede, Yeshare Sonay,
Senkal Öztürkler.
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Vancouver
Turkish Choir at Lyrids Folk Dance Festival, April 26, 2014
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Vancouver
Turkish Choir at the Greek Summer Festival, June 27, 2014. On
the left: Sevgi Dogan (conductor); instrumentalists from left:
Lisa Ronald (clarinet), Ilyas Kayran (darbukka), Erman Yavuz
(guitar), Mark Hamilton (laouto), Laura Blumenthal (santouri);
vocalists: Özge Göktepe, Bahar Çinarli, Filiz Bingöller, Bahar
Yilmaz, Irem Cingoz, Burcu Koçer |
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VTC
at the EuroFest. Özge Göktepe while singing "Vardar Ovasi",
next to her, Erika Gerson (tambourine)
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Organizer Demet
Edeer, with her diligent approach, is the force behind the choir.
Laura Blumenthal plays the santouri, Mark Hamilton laouto/guitar,
Erman Yavuz guitar, İlyas Kayran darbuka, Erika Gerson tambourine,
Lisa Ronald and Kate Gerson clarinet, Nesrin and Çağla Altıntaş
violin.
By Bahar
Çinarli
Pictures
by Mesut Orhan
July-August
2014
Old Articles
by Bahar Cinarli:
April 23 Children's Festival By TCS Was Delightful
West Turns Blind Eye to Oppression of Secularists
in Turkey
A Fascinating Recital By Deniz Tahberer And
Wenwen Du
Ice Cream, I Scream!
Two films represented Turkey at the VIFF
Three Monkeys, another fascinating film of
N. B. Ceylan
A Standing Ovation For The Young Talent Deniz
Tahberer
The Band's Visit (Birkur Ha-Tizmoret-2007)
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