Turkey fell in love with the group two years ago when they performed Turkish folk dances on television. With members aged between 50 and 70, the group has recently changed its focus and is currently transforming itself into a folk music choir.The seven-member group, which is part of the Ölüdeniz Municipality’s choir, has been learning Turkish folk songs and performing them with their own unique interpretation. The choir has already received invitations to perform on a number of television shows and also plans to hold concerts in various regions during which they will perform local folk songs.
The group’s leader, David Groom, said singing folk music is harder than performing folk dances. Noting that they can perform the dances the same way they see them, but it is difficult to pick up on the subtleties of songs, Groom said: “I have been living in Fethiye for 10 years. I love Turkey. I love Turkish folk music. We will show how folk songs are interpreted by foreigners with this choir.”
Stating that Turkish folk songs are vivid and enjoyable, a Chinese member of the choir, Chang Li, said: “Our songs are very slow but Turkish folk songs are fast-paced. We have so much fun while singing them. But I have difficulty [singing them], too. It is very hard to sing them since I have just learned Turkish.”
Ölüdeniz Mayor Keramettin Yılmaz said they are happy to teach Anatolian culture and music to people from other countries, adding that it is exciting to have foreigners in the choir. “The people in the choir want to make both the other regions of Turkey and their own countries listen to our folk music,” he said.
