Last Friday our school hosted their annual Christmas concert.
There were several performance groups: the junior high band, concert band, brass band, junior choir, secondary choir, and teacher choir. David performed with the teachers. Our school atrium serves many purposes. It makes a fun performance hall.
This student was the narrator. She shared the reason for Christmas:
The seniors have been raising money for their end-of-the-year trip. They sold treats and hot drinks at the event:
The performance groups did a fantastic job! It was a fun night.
Last night, David and I went with another couple to a jazz concert. We saw the Murat İşbilen Quintet perform. The group featured 2 guitar players, a bass player, a percussionist, and a violinist. The concert was held on the campus of Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi (known in English as Middle East Technical University) as part of the Ankara Jazz Festival.
When I heard it was a jazz festival, I was expecting to hear the blues. The group’s sound was instead a beautiful mix of classical guitar, latin rhythms, and folk music. Our friend said their style fit more into the smooth jazz category. It was amazing to watch the guitarist’s fingers fly! At times it was hard to believe that so many different sounds were being produced simultaneously from the same instrument.
They did not mention anything about restricting photography or recording, so I took a short video:
This year is the 16th annual Ankara Jazz Festival. There are performances at various locations throughout the city from January through March. We hope to maybe see one or two more groups!
David started taking classical guitar lessons when he was 6. I think the concert really inspired him, and he tried out some of his old sheet music when we got home. It was a night of great company and great music!
