Biography

Gürsel Koçak - The Founder and the General Director of the Ensemble - born on 03.09.1960 in Antakya.

He began his first music studies in 1977 at the Conservatory of Istanbul Municipality, continuity of the old "Darul'elhan". which represents [he roots and the traditions of the Turkish Music.

In the conservatory his lecturers include Mr. ismaif Hakki Ozkan (musical theories), Miss Suheyla Altmisdort (singing & repertoire), Mrs. Muazzam Sepetcioglu (literature). Miss. Diirdane Attan (folk music)

In the 80's he participated the traditional home-group lectures of Mr. Nezih Uzel. In this group he advanced his musicaf studies by taking private lessons from many masters like, Mr. Bekir Sitki Sezgin, Mr. Kani Karaca, Mr. Kemal Tezergil, Mr. Necdet Tanlak and Mr, izzet Eskidemir. where he learned Mevlevi Ayin(s) in 15 makam (s) and many ilahi (s).

In 1982 he has graduated from the conservatory and has been appointed as a member of the "Icra Heyeti" {Official Performance Orchestra).

He participated in 1989 / Istanbul Music Festival cs a solo singer.

He founded the Moda Music Association in 1992 and starts to give group lessons to local amateur musicians.

He participated in 1994 / Istanbul Music Festival as a solo singer.

In cooperation with Mr. Bekir Sitki Sezgin, he worked in many concert and TV productions.

As well as being a professional singer in Turkish Music, Gursel Kocak also plays "Kudum" and "Bendir", which are authentic percussion instruments.

He is employed by the State Conservatory of the Istanbul University under the title of singer & lecturer in Turkish Music. As well as recently being assigned as the Assistant Director of the "Icra Heyeti" (Official Performance Orchestra).

Araştırmacı bir kimliğe sahip olan, Klasik Türk müziğinin çeşitli alanlarında geleneğe bağlı ve düzeyli icraların içerisinde olmaya özen gösteren Gürsel KOÇAK, bu anlayışı yansıtan organizasyonlarla 1998 yılında; Cemal Reşit Rey konser salonunda “Küme faslı”, “Sema gösterileri”, 2000 yılında Kurmuş olduğu “İstanbul Otantik Türk Müziği” gurubuyla; Lütfü Kırdar, İş sanat gibi konser salonlarında “Ramazan’ a Vuslat”, “Bektaşi Nefesleri”, “Birlikte Söyleyelim” adı altında birçok projeyi hazırlayıp, yönetti.

Türk musıkisinin otantik vurmalı sazları olan kudüm ve bendir de çalan Gürsel Koçak,halen İstanbul Üniversitesi Devlet Konservatuarı Türk Müziği Bölümü’nde Sanatçı Öğretim Elemanı unvanıyla, Türk Musikisi İcrâ Heyeti Şef yardımcılığı görevini devam ettirmektedir.

Concerts Abroad

In 1987, he performed a solo concert "Bektashi Nefes(s)" in Greece, Island of Mitylene.

In 1989, he joined "Bosporus Group" as a singer and percussion player for their concerts in Greece. As the director of "Istanbul Sema & Mevlevi Group", he has organised various Sema Rituals in Belgium and Holland between the years 1993 and 1996.

He has directed "The Fasil Group", which has participated in Turkish Arts Festivals comprising many European countries.

He has toured with "Istanbul Mevlevi Group" and participated in many concerts in Italy. France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Finland and Germany between the years 1983 and 1990.

Photo exhibition in Holland And Belgium.

1992, he gave a group concert "Bektashi Nefes(s)" in Finland.

He has participated in "MUSICA SACRA INTERNATIONAL" MUSIC FESTIVAL IN Germany.

In 199S, he has participated in Moers Jazz Festival and directed the first Turkish Group participated in this festival and gave a group concert "Bektashi Nefes(s)".

Again in the year 1998, he performed a group concert "Bektashi Nefes(s)" in Austria.

Concerts Organised And Directed Nationwide

In 1997, he has conducted the "Kiime Fasli" (a kind of Big-Band Fasil) in Cemal Re§it Rey Concert Hall. In 2000, he has performed the "Lyric History" concert.

In 2001, he has conducted the "Yahya Kemal Conceit" in Is Bank Cultural Centre.

In 2001, he has conducted "The Advent of Ramadan" concert in Is Bank Cultural Centre.

In 2002, he has conducted "Let's Singalong, Let's Listen" in is Bank Cultural Centre.s

In 2002 he has performed a group concert "Bektashi Nefes(s)" and in Is Bank Cultural Centre.

In 2002, he has organised "Direklerarasi" Music & Drama Expositions of Ramadan in Is Bank Cultural Centre.

In 2002 he has conducted the "Meydan Fasli" (open-air Big-Band Fast!) in Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall.

CD Productions

In 1996, 2 separate CDs, commemorating the 150'" anniversary of the death of Dede Efendi : Neva and Huzzam Mevlevi Ayin (s).

Various artists : Hamdi DEMİRCİ, Oktay AKTÜRK, Cihangir DEMİRTAŞ, Münip UTANDI, Gürsel KOÇAK, Recep BİRGİT, Rahmi SÖNMEZOCAK, Kani KARACA, Rıza RİT

In 1997, a CD called Bektashi Nefes (s). Original repertoire has been prepared by the famous composer RaufYektain the20's.

“BEKTAŞİ NEFESLERİ 2”

In 1998, he has directed the project of the CD called "Our Women Composers". This production has been the first study on women composers of its kind.

In 2000, he has released the CD called "Ramadan llahi (s)'.

In 2000, he has organised and directed the 2 CD's called "Riza Rit I & II".

In 2002, he has organised and directed the 2 CD's called "Classical Turkish Music Compositions I 8.II".