Child soloists to give first performance

The Çağlar Music Course in Ankara has formed an orchestra made up of children between the ages of 10 and 15 who can perform at professional standard. The orchestra will give its first performance on Nov. 24 following two years of preparation.

The course’s general art director, Ergün Çağlar, said the Çağlar Chamber Orchestra, which performs within the body of the music course, included 60 children.

Children win seats in the orchestra through an exam, Çağlar said. “Our first performance will be organized on Nov. 24 at the Çağlar Culture Center Maltepe Park Shopping Mall. During the events that will continue until Dec. 5, 60 children will take the stage as soloists.”

The orchestra will perform every 15 days, Çağlar said. “Thanks to our cultural center, the people of Ankara will have the chance to spend their days with music. We have carried out work for two years. During these concerts, we will take the stage with different soloists and conductors,” he added. The orchestra will give its first concert with professional soloists on Dec. 10 and will feature professional teachers from the music course along with conservatory graduate professional artists, he said. The concert program will include works from Bach, Albinoni Adagio, Mozart and others, he said, adding that the goal was to reach a wider audience by creating new works.

“We have gained good experience so far with the symphony orchestra and this concert series will be very unique one,” said one of the youth orchestra soloists, Yasemin Keleş.

Another member, Elçin Sayın, said playing the violin allowed her to escape the stress of school. “I feel very different when playing the violin. It makes me very happy to play in this concert with 60 people.”