 Enjoying the Bilkent Concert Hall
The Bilkent Symphony
Orchestra has arranged another series of wonderful performances, not only at the music
hall here on campus, but also at the Bilkent Erzurum Concert Hall. The works of Strauss,
Mozart, Brahms, and other composers will be performed at the Bilkent Concert Hall, while
Ędil Biret and Emil Tabakov will be performing pieces from Beethoven at the Erzurum
Concert Hall, Tuesday, February 26.
It is worth going to these events because you will be amazed by the
talent of the performers. Classical music is a genre that is too often overlooked by
college students, as most young adults prefer to listen to pop radio stations or go to
rock concerts. However, I believe that people should be listening to classical music at
our age, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a classically trained pianist. We may
not have as many responsibilities as adults, but we probably have more things to worry
about. I don't know about you, but my friends and I are almost always worried about
something - whether it's classes, homework, exams, presentations or essays. It's not easy
being a student!
So, what does music have to do with any of this? The answer is simple: music affects mood.
We listen to up-beat pop tracks when we work out, or slow ballads when we're in love. It
makes sense that we should listen to classical music when we're studying. It is generally
acknowledged that slow, quiet music can encourage relaxation and reduce anxiety.
The fact that many forms of classical music are purely instrumental is a plus. Lyrics can
be an easy distraction when studying.
Soothing, classical music clearly seems to have a positive social effect. Since the days
of the Ottoman Empire, music therapy has been used, with positive results, in the
treatment of certain mental illnesses like schizophrenia. As well, a six month research
study from 2004 showed that when the British Transport Police piped classical music into
London Underground stations in some of the cities more dangerous neighborhoods, robberies
were cut by 33 percent, staff assaults decreased by 25 percent and vandalism went down 37
percent.
As Bilkent students, we are lucky! We don't even have to leave campus to hear great
classical music! The Bilkent Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the Bilkent Concert
Hall, with tickets available at the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts. Check out http://www.bso.bilkent.edu.tr
for more information, including the schedule for the upcoming month.
By Sera Devor (AMER/III)
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