Situated on the Anatolian Plateau in between the Black and Mediterranean seas, Turkey’s extraordinary geodiversity-from beach resorts to Cappadocia’s fairy rocks to the Taurus Mountains- and location in between Europe and Asia have made Turkey’s ancient culture similarly diverse. Modern Turkey continues to reflect this diversity, and the music scene filled with folk, popular, and classical performers reflects this emblematic status. With no dearth of appreciative and hospitable audiences, annual music festivals, and exceptional artists, you and your group can expect to contribute to the potpourri culture that makes Turkey a truly spectacular destination.

Classical Movements starting traveling to Turkey in 1994, with over 50 different trips and in recent years for groups including the Yale Symphony Orchestra, Yale Alumni Chorus, Yale Glee Club and the Yale Institute of Music

Sights & Sounds

  • Istanbul
  • Turkish State Opera and Ballet
  • Presidential Symphony Orchestra
  • Tekfen Symphony Orchestra
  • Istanbul Symphony Orchestra
  • Istanbul Festival
  • Süreyya Opera House
  • Hagia Sophia Basilica
  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque
  • Topkapi Palace
  • Izmir
  • Roman Ruins
  • Beachside resorts
  • Ottoman Palaces
  • Ankara

Testimonials

Press

“The musical director and conductor of the Yale Glee Club said the group chose the destination ‘because of the wonderful friendships they discovered in Turkey.’ The Turkish word ‘dost’ (friends for life) is the reason we are performing in Istanbul,’ said Jeff Douma.”

-Hürriyet Daily News, Hatice Utkan | August 5, 2010

“Khubat Abbas Abdul Razaq, a cellist and one of the orchestra’s four women members, said: “I just want to say this is an honor to come to Washington and to play here.”

Samir Yosif, a double-bass player, said: “We want to let the American people know that we have a culture, that we have something to give them. It’s a great honor to be here and we thank the people who have helped us here to play.”

-The lndependent/UK, December 12, 2003

“Blue Heart has followed its clients’ suggestions to map out its expanding destinations. Vacationers travel from Guangzhou to Hong Kong by train visit the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and Tian’anmen Square and take in a performance of the famed Shanghai Acrobats.”

-Tour and Travel News, Michael Milligan | May 8, 1995

“The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra visit involved a human element that transcended the usual business of arranging orchestra tours for Neeta Helms, executive vice president of Classical Movements. She ushered the musicians from their first nerve-wracking security checks at New York’s JFK Airport to their last tourist stop at Rockefeller Center on the way out of the country.”

-Symphony Magazine, Rebecca Winzenreid | March, 2004

“Kevin Fox, who is working with the Neemrana Foundation, the Capital City Minstrels and Delhi School of Music in the Capital, says that the Indian singers are very keen on the music and are eager to do more and learn more about choral singing. He adds, ‘I’ve met some excellent directors and teachers here who are working very creatively to spread the musical and social benefits of group singing.'”

-Mail Today, Srijani Ganguly | Feb 15, 2017