Bosphorus to Boston

Turkish Music Concert Series

Bosphorus to Boston is a Boston-based concert series dedicated to the live performance of Turkish music in its many forms, presented by local and international musicians living and performing in the Greater Boston area.

Inspired by the cultural continuity between Türkiye and Boston, the series brings together artists who share a deep connection to Turkish musical traditions — whether through heritage, study, collaboration, or long-term artistic practice.

At its core, Bosphorus to Boston exists to create a consistent, high-quality performance platform for Turkish music and the musicians who carry it.

Mission

The mission of Bosphorus to Boston is to:

• Present Turkish music as a living performance tradition

• Support local world musicians interested in performing Turkish repertoire

• Create opportunities for global artists based in Boston to share this music

• Offer audiences authentic, intimate, and acoustically rich concert experiences

• Build a sustainable performance space for Turkish musical expression

The series emphasizes performance excellence, ensemble musicianship, and respect for tradition — while allowing room for individual interpretation and creativity.

The Music

Concert programs may include:

• Turkish classical music

• Ottoman-era repertoire

• Turkish folk traditions

• Turkish popular music

• Works by historical and contemporary Turkish composers

Rather than focusing on academic comparison or fusion, the series centers on the act of performing Turkish music itself — on stage, in front of an attentive audience, in real time.

The Musicians

Bosphorus to Boston brings together:

• Turkish musicians living in the U.S.

• International artists who have studied Turkish music

• World musicians engaged with makam-based traditions

• Guest performers visiting from Türkiye and abroad

Each concert features a carefully curated ensemble, offering musicians the opportunity to perform Turkish repertoire in both traditional and newly formed configurations.

This approach allows the series to remain dynamic while maintaining a clear artistic identity.

The Venue

Concerts take place at:

Church of the Good Shepherd
Watertown, Massachusetts

The church offers a warm, intimate, and beautifully resonant space ideally suited for live acoustic music.

With its natural reverberation, close audience connection, and candlelit atmosphere, the venue supports deep listening and creates a sense of closeness between performers and listeners — echoing the traditional intimacy of Turkish music gatherings.

The Concert Experience

Bosphorus to Boston concerts are designed to be:

• Fully acoustic whenever possible

• Intimate and welcoming

• Accessible to both Turkish and non-Turkish audiences

Brief spoken introductions, program notes, and translations are often included to help listeners follow the musical flow without turning the evening into a lecture.

The focus remains on sound, emotion, and presence.

Artistic Direction

The Bosphorus to Boston Concert Series is founded and artistically directed by:

Volkan Efe
Musician and cultural curator specializing in Turkish classical and folk music, makam traditions, and ensemble performance practice.

A Home for Turkish Music in Boston

Bosphorus to Boston aims to become a permanent home for Turkish music performance in the Boston area — a place where musicians meet, repertoire grows, and audiences return not just to listen, but to belong.

From classical to folk, from historical to contemporary, the series celebrates the enduring richness of Turkish music through live performance.