Turkish American Orchestra debuts in New York with unique blend of music

The Turkish American Orchestra (TAO), founded by two Turkish women residing in the U.S., held its inaugural concert in New York, capturing the audience with a rich, all-Turkish repertoire.

New cultural ambassador in music

According to a statement from TAO, the orchestra, established in New York by Ulku Rowe and Nisan Ak, performed its first concert on Oct. 26 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space. Under the baton of Nisan Ak, TAO delighted the New York audience with a vibrant repertoire featuring compositions by Turkish musicians.

The concert offered symphonic renditions of popular Turkish music, including iconic scores from classic films and TV series such as “Hababam Sinifi” and “Ask-i Memnu,” along with traditional Ottoman classics and Turkish popular music, presenting a diverse array of genres.

The evening culminated with the performance of the anthem “Parla,” composed in honor of the 100th anniversary of Türkiye’s Republic, embodying TAO’s mission: “To bring Turkish music to the world stage with the highest standards.”

TAO aims to support Turkish music students in US

With Rowe and Ak’s leadership, TAO aims to foster cross-cultural appreciation and respect through concerts and educational initiatives. The orchestra unites over 50 professional musicians from across the U.S., both Turkish and American, aiming to perform a wide array of musical styles – from Western classical to Turkish folk, traditional Turkish music to contemporary works.

TAO operates as a nonprofit organization, with a portion of its proceeds allocated to supporting Turkish students seeking music education in the U.S. Through this initiative, TAO hopes to contribute to young talents’ musical training and support their careers in music.