The young composer’s success Aslı Onat, 16.09.2007

The 18-year-old student Egemen Kesikli, a pupil of Güher Pekinel and Süher Pekinel—the founders and directors of the Music Department of the Turkish Education Foundation İnanç Türkeş Private High School (TEVİTÖL)—had his composition included on a CD released in the United States.

World-renowned pianists Güher and Süher Pekinel, while continuing their musical careers, have also been striving for a year to provide world-class education to students coming from various regions of Anatolia, as founders and directors of the TEVİTÖL Music Department. Their students, in turn, do not let the Pekinels down. One of these exceptionally talented young students, composition student Egemen Kesikli, recently had his work composed for wind orchestra included—alongside compositions by young composers from all around the world—on a CD released by Northwestern University in the United States. Süher Pekinel recounts their first meeting with Egemen Kesikli as follows:

“About a year ago, we came to visit the school upon the recommendation of our friends who were volunteering for TEVİTÖL. At the students’ request, I sat at the piano and performed an improvisation. Then I asked Egemen if he would like to try something like that. He sat down and created an original, very beautiful improvisation inspired by the melodies in the improvisation I had played. The progress he has shown since that day has been astonishing; under normal circumstances, it is difficult for a student to grasp such musical depth so quickly.”

At this point, 18-year-old composer Egemen Kesikli, who possesses a maturity far beyond his age, takes the floor and recounts his success story as follows:

“Last year, I had been admitted to the horn department of the conservatory. However, I realized that the horn was not suitable for me and I quit the instrument. I very much wanted to work in composition. At that time, my solfège teacher at the conservatory recommended that I study with Mete Sakpınar. By a great stroke of luck, I had the opportunity to study with him in the newly established Music Department of our school. I had no knowledge whatsoever about writing music. We started from the very basics. After the second semester, the National High School Music Institute of Northwestern University accepted me. At the end of an intensive program, we completed our compositions. My composition was written for wind orchestra. A composition concert was held and the works were recorded on the same day. This recording was then released for sale as a CD by the university.”

A few days ago, Egemen Kesikli performed his composition at a special concert organized at his school for businessmen visiting from abroad, together with his friends from the Music Department, and received great appreciation. Born in Diyarbakır and later settling in Tekirdağ due to his father’s assignment, Kesikli remains extremely modest about his success. Saying, “I am sure there are people in Turkey who are far more talented than I am,” the young composer adds that, in addition to music, he would also like to pursue education in political science and international relations.

“There Are No More Music Classes in Schools”

Güher and Süher Pekinel emphasize that this success demonstrates the importance of music education and express their sadness that nowadays almost no music classes are offered in schools. They state: “In the past, there were very good music teachers and music classes were valued. Because music education was regarded as an indispensable part of general education. Unfortunately, this approach has been abandoned.”

“Music Enables Transparent Thinking”

Güher Pekinel continues her remarks as follows:

“Music fosters being more humane, tolerant, and creative, and it enables transparent thinking. With its structure that unites the mind and the soul, it places your way of thinking into an entirely new system and, through creativity, pushes your personal limits. In our rapidly globalizing world, the education system unfortunately often excludes the soul. This creates an unhappy and unsatisfied youth. However, those who are active in all fields of art are more creative and productive. Our goal and greatest wish is for music classes to be seriously reintegrated into the education system.”

The Pekinels aim to form a chamber orchestra with their students, similar to the Doğuş Children’s Symphony Orchestra. The income generated from concerts will again be allocated to the department in which the students are trained.