Bilkent Music Days is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Launched in a festival format with a focus on chamber music, the event has, over the past two years, expanded into a season-long program spanning the academic year. Throughout the season, Department of Music alumni, Bilkent-based academic musicians, selected outstanding students, as well as distinguished professional musicians from outside Bilkent, share the same stage.
Prof. Dr. Kağan Korad, faculty member in the Department of Music and founder and artistic director of Bilkent Music Days, said the concert series is designed to bring together generations trained at Bilkent and to welcome them back to their alma mater’s stage.
Noting that Bilkent has trained musicians to high standards since its establishment in 1986, and that many alumni have built significant careers in Türkiye and internationally, Korad said reunifying these artists at Bilkent is one of the series’ core motivations. “In addition to Ankara’s classical music lovers, it will make us especially happy to see our university’s students, academic staff, and administrative staff in our music hall for these series,” he said.
Emphasizing the central place of chamber music in the classical repertoire, Korad highlighted its enduring value for both performers and listeners. “Throughout history, great composers such as Mozart and Brahms have given the highest works of this genre as chamber music,” he said.
The season program features chamber music concerts by renowned guest musicians from Türkiye, alongside performances by Bilkent Music faculty members, as well as symphonic concerts by youth symphony orchestras and standout student performances under the “Young Masters” title.
Young Masters: A chamber music gathering by student ensembles
As part of the 10th Bilkent Music Days, five chamber music ensembles composed of high school and undergraduate students qualified to take part in the festival program after auditions. In the “Young Masters: Chamber Music” concert held on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, Consonare Quartet, Lucent Quartet, İpek & Yağmur Duo, Time Trio and Crimson Trio performed. Alongside chamber music works by Mozart and Suk, the program also included “Arrows of Time,” written for percussion by the faculty’s alumnus composer Aslıhan Keçebaşoğlu.
Concerts are held at Bilkent Music Hall (GE 250–251). Attendees can earn 20 GE points. Tickets are available at bilet.bilkent.edu.tr. For the up-to-date program and announcements, please follow music.bilkent.edu.tr and the Bilkent Music Department’s social media account @bilkentmusicdept.
