Music-Culture II

One of the most famous music-cultures in Dallas is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO). Since May 22, 1990, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has performed numerous concerts both locally and internationally. What started as a 40 member ensemble became a major, award-winning American orchestra. In 1945, the DSO appointed Antal Dorati as music director and became fully professional. The DSO performs locally in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, built in September 1989. Designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei and acoustician Russell Johnson, the Meyerson Symphony Center cost over $60 million to build and can seat 2062 people. The DSO’s first conductor was Hans Kreissig and its 15th and current director is Dutchman Jaap van Zweden who joined in February 2007. “The Dallas Symphony's mission statement is to entertain, inspire and change lives through musical excellence.” Through their risk-taking and innovative music, the DSO wants to make more music lovers. The DSO performs weekly The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is an important part of the music-culture in Dallas because it brings the wonderful serenity of relaxing classical music to enrich the traditional and cultural atmosphere in the city. You can find more information about the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at http://www.dallassymphony.com/

Music-Culture I

I am Turkish and I am a Muslim. Therefore, one of the most influential music-cultures for me is religious Turkish songs called ilahi which means "divine". Growing up, my parents preferred that I listened to religious music rather than popular music which aren’t always suitable for children. So, I would always listen to religious Turkish music; in the car, on TV, or even when I studied. When I was a baby, my mother would sing these songs to me when trying to put me to sleep. I really enjoyed this genre because it incorporated a lot of traditional Turkish instruments, which I was used to hearing in other traditional songs, with religious lyrics which spoke to me and revitalized my soul. The music in this genre is usually very soothing and soft which makes it relaxing and easy to listen to. I have never stopped listening to this genre. The songs I listened to as a child became classics for me. Later on, when I was older, I joined the choir at the local Turkish community center. It was a religious choir so I began spending time singing the songs I had always loved. I had been in the choir for about 8 years. What was most import for me as I grew up listening to these religious songs was that it made me think about my religion and often evoked feelings of peace and love for God. This made me more religious which made me happy. Even now in college, where most of my friends only listen to rock or rap songs, I find it nostalgic, peaceful, and relaxing to listen to religious Turkish music. Here is a sample of one of my favorite genres (Mustafa Demirci - Sultanim).