Bogazici Jazz Choir (Turkish: Boğaziçi Caz Korosu) is a vocal ensemble founded in 2011 byMasis Aram Gözbek.[1] The choir has won numerous awards both inTurkey and internationally.
The choir's primary aim is to introduce polyphonic music to wider audiences and represent Turkey in international competitions.[2][3][4]
The foundations of the Bogazici Jazz Choir were laid in 1994 within theBogazici University Music Club (BÜMK). When Masis Aram Gözbek joined as the conductor in 2007, the group operated under the BÜMK umbrella between 2007 and 2011. In 2011, the choir became an independent ensemble under the name "Bogazici Jazz Choir."[1]
The choir gained public recognition in 2011 after a jazz performance at theTaksim metro station went viral online.[5][6]
During theGezi Park protests, the choir adapted the lyrics of "Entarisi Ala Benziyor" into "Çapulcu Musun Vay Vay" and "Kızılcıklar Oldu Mu" into "Çapulcular Oldu Mu" as a form of musical support. These adaptations quickly gained popularity and were widely sung during the protests.[7] Choirs abroad also took interest in these adaptations and requested permission to include them in their repertoires.[5]
The choir's repertoire includesjazz andcontemporary music pieces as well as arrangements ofTurkish folk music andTurkish classical music. Additionally, a cappella performances play a significant role in their programs.[2]
Bogazici Jazz Choir has performed at numerous festivals worldwide and has won various international awards. The choir's first international success came in 2008 at the "Vokal Total" competition inAustria, where they won silver diplomas in bothpop andjazz categories.[8]
In 2010, at the 6thWorld Choir Games inChina, they won second place in the Contemporary Music category and third place in both the Chamber Choir and Jazz categories, earning three gold diplomas.[9][10]
In 2011, at theWorld Choir Games in Austria, the choir won the world championship in the Contemporary Music and Folklore categories and finished second in the Mixed Choirs category.[11] They also won two additional gold medals in the Grand Prix, bringing their total to five gold medals.[12]
In 2012, at the 7thWorld Choir Games in theUnited States, the choir won three more gold medals.[9]
In 2014, inBulgaria'sVarna city, at the 35thInternational May Choir Competition, the choir won first place in the Mixed Choirs category, and conductor Masis Aram Gözbek received the Young Conductor Special Award.[11]
In 2016, at the 64thEuropean Young Musicians Festival inBelgium, the choir won first prize in two categories.[8]
In 2019, at theOhrid Choir Festival inNorth Macedonia, where 34 choirs from 13 countries competed, the choir won the Grand Prix, first place, Best Stage Performance, and Category Championship awards.[13]
In 2021, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the choir participated in the BarcelonaInternational Choir Festival online and won first place in the Mixed Choirs category with their video performance.[14]