Yesterday was a busy day all around at the A&I events in Istanbul. Berklee student Emir Cerman, who worked with Jason Camelio in International Programs for a year to bring the auditions to Istanbul, kicked-off the day with a presentation about student life at Berklee.  

Cerman left no stone unturned in his lengthy talk.  He covered everything from popular majors – including his own major Film Scoring, of course – and opportunities to join student-run enterprises, to where to get the best coffee and how to set up a Bank of America account.

Emir Cerman, Stephen Croes, Sam Skau, Michael Shaver

While Michael Faquharson gave a clinic on arranging and production in the MMA’s performance hall, local media descended on the events, and the rest of the team gave interviews with TV and newspapers including Kanal-1, TRT, Show TV, Hurriyet, and Zaman Daily.  On the wall is a portrait of Mustafa Ataturk, founder of modern day Turkey, required by law to be displayed in every room of the school.

Berklee student Ekin Cengizkan (drums) and Michael Farquharson

Stephen Croes gave a clinic about technology at Berklee, covering not only the Technology Division and technology-based classes but also providing a general overview of how technology is integral to nearly everything the students do. Farquharson did double duty, giving another clinic later in the day on performance and improvisation, before heading back to the hotel for an interview with newspaper Posta.

Capping off the day, Emre Yildiz of MMA hosted a jam session with Berklee students, MMA students, and musicians who would be auditioning in the following days.

Emre Yildiz (at microphone) leads jam session

Emre Yildiz (at microphone) leads jam session

Emir Cerman, Bulut Gulun, Burak Besir

Emir Cerman, Bulut Gulun, Burak Besir

Cerman and fellow Berklee students Bulut Gulun (trombone) and Burak Besir (flute) got into a groove at the session.  Cerman, Gulun, Besir, and Cengizkan will be staying in Istanbul after the A&I to perform compositions written an arranged by Cerman with a 90-piece orchestra at a December 3 concert.  The event is a fundraiser for Turkish organization Contemporary Education Foundation.

And now it’s on to the auditions!

Margot Edwards
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