The Second National Güldan Tunal Violin Contest, organized by Mersin University State Academy of Music, was held from October 2nd to the 6th. Bilkent University students from the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts and Music Preparatory Primary School won five awards in three categories. Forty-two musicians from 10 educational institutions, including one international institution, participated. In the youngest age category, open to musicians born in 1995 or later, Bilkent University Music Preparatory Primary School fourth grade student, Elvin Hoca, took first place and sixth grade student, Safura Ahundzade took second place. Elvin Hoca was also awarded "Special Turkish Composer's Prize." In the middle age category, for musicians born between 1990 and 1994, Bilkent University Music Prepatory Primary School ninth year student, Aybek Alimov took third place.

In the oldest age category, open to musicians born between 1982 and 1989, Eren Kuştan took first place and Deniz Toygür took second place. Eren Kuştan is a graduate from Bilkent University Music Preparatory High School and is currently continuing his studies at the Academy of Music Hanns Eissler in Berlin. Deniz Toygür is an undergraduate in her second year in the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts at Bilkent.

We celebrate all of our students for their outstanding achievements in the contest.

Yeşim Güvezne (POLS/IV)