Sevda Cenap And Muzik Vakfi

The Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation (Sevda-Cenap And Müzik Vakfı, commonly known as SCA Müzik Vakfı) is an established cultural and performing arts institution located on Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi in the Çankaya district of Ankara. Tracing its historical roots back to the Ses ve Tel Birliği Cemiyeti founded in 1940, the organization transitioned into a recognized Music Facility in 1965 before attaining its formal foundation status in 1973. Operating from the central cultural corridor of the capital, the institution functions as a dedicated pillar for classical polyphonic music, instrumental pedagogy, and musicological research in Turkey.

Music lovers, researchers, and students visit the foundation to participate in an active year-round agenda spanning live orchestral performances, chamber recitals, instrumental masterclasses, and major international festivals. Rather than operating purely as an administrative entity, the foundation maintains dedicated event spaces and educational initiatives designed to nurture musicians from foundational training through professional stage careers. In addition to organizing symphonic concerts and academic symposia, the foundation awards student scholarships, sponsors national youth ensembles, and confers prestigious lifetime achievement honors. By uniting performance production with historical archival publishing, the foundation provides an enduring resource for classical music appreciation in Ankara.

Programme and What's On

The foundation manages a diverse performing arts and educational programme led by flagship festivals and competitive gatherings. Its most prominent initiative is the International Ankara Music Festival (Uluslararası Ankara Müzik Festivali), which has reached its 38th and 39th editions; according to international cultural listings, the festival has been an official member of the European Festivals Association (EFA) since 1993. The foundation also organizes and supports events such as the Turkey Guitar Meeting (Türkiye Gitar Buluşması), the METU International Classical Guitar Festival, the Denizli Jazz Festival, the AGORA-GLORIA Music Festival, and the Sound of Europe concert series.

Orchestral and chamber music programming features regular performances by Orkestra Akademik Başkent, the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Başkent Chamber Orchestra, and the Kremerata Baltica Soloists appearing with the Baku Chamber Orchestra. Performance schedules feature seasonal milestones including Season Closing, March 14, and Valentine's Day concerts, alongside solo recitals by pianists such as Gülsin Onay, Dengin Ceyhan, and Ayça Yılmaz. Additional performances include violin soloist Roman Kim, cellist Poyraz Baltacıgil with the Semplice Quartet, and specialized duo recitals exploring Beethoven's violoncello sonatas.

Competitive camps and skill-building masterclasses form another core dimension of the programme. The institution organizes the Gürer Aykal Conducting Competition, the Ruşen Güneş Viola Competition, the 2nd International Suna Kan Violin Competition, and the Agora Composition Camp 2026. Practical training includes Piano Master Class Days led by Günay Tuzkaya, Violoncello Master Class Days instructed by Melih Kara, and Intensive Cello Days (Yoğun Çello Günleri). Choral initiatives are supported through the Turkey Choirs Festival (Türkiye Korolar Şenliği), the Women's Choirs Festival, and the 1st National Equal Voices Choirs Composition Competition.

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

The atmosphere at the Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation is distinctly cultural, classical, artistic, and educational. Based within its specialized facilities, including the And Evi building and the And Sanat venue, the space is tailored for acoustic concentration, academic inquiry, and artistic collaboration. The environment is oriented toward active engagement rather than commercial entertainment; visitors regularly share the venue with conservatory students attending masterclasses, music researchers consulting archival literature, and audiences gathered for chamber recitals.

This setting specifically suits classical music enthusiasts, conservatory students, academic researchers, and cultural patrons interested in Turkish and universal polyphonic repertoire. Educational opportunities are provided directly through the Private Sevda - Cenap And Foundation Music Course, while vocal performers participate in ensembles such as the SCA Foundation Women's Choir (Dostluğun Sesi / Voice of Friendship), which performs nationally and internationally, including concerts in Belgrade. Younger musicians are engaged through the Akyurt Children's Choir, the JM Ankara Children's Choir, and the Turkey Youth Choir. The foundation also supports high-level youth orchestral development by sponsoring international concert tours for the Turkey Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (TUGFO) across Bursa, Istanbul, Berlin, Venice, and Hungary.

Visual art exhibitions complement the auditory character of the venue. Visitors attending recitals and lectures can view rotating presentations, which have included solo sculpture exhibitions by Asaf Erdemli, the Celebrating the Republic Group Painting Exhibition, and historical Republic Day photography collections. The overall ambiance appeals to individuals seeking an integrated cultural center where choral rehearsals, fine art displays, and classical performances take place side by side.

Location and Practical Details

The Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation is located at Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi No: 114/43 in the Çankaya district of Ankara. Situated within the Kavaklıdere neighborhood, the venue is positioned directly adjacent to Kuğulu Park and stands in immediate proximity to the And Çarşısı shopping arcade, surrounding dining venues, and local health centers. The location is easily reached via major public bus routes and taxi connections operating along Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi, Atatürk Bulvarı, and the wider Çankaya transit corridor.

For inquiries regarding masterclass registrations, performance schedules, and institutional matters, the foundation can be contacted directly by telephone at (0312) 427 08 55. While major festival galas take place in larger partner auditoriums across Ankara, intimate recitals, masterclasses, and commemorative events are hosted in the foundation's own And Sanat and And Evi facilities.

In addition to performance programming, the foundation operates a specialized publishing department offering biographies, monographs, and research volumes. Published titles cover prominent figures and topics including Ahmed Adnan Saygun, Ulvi Cemal Erkin, Gürer Aykal, Suna Kan, Ruşen Güneş, Ersin Onay, young Beethoven, the Turkish Composer Catalogue, and Ballet History. Music students seeking educational bursaries can obtain official application procedures from the administrative office at the Tunalı Hilmi location. Attendees planning to visit for commemorative programs—such as the Muammer Sun Symposium or the Suna Kan Memorial—are advised to confirm event dates in advance by telephone.

The Mio Angle: Meeting and Events

Within the Mio community, the Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation is recognized as a prestigious meeting point for classical musicians, musicology students, and cultural travelers looking for authentic artistic experiences in Ankara. Rather than serving as an everyday social lounge, it functions as a purposeful destination for attending curated recitals, participating in high-level instrumental workshops, and discovering foundational music publications. It provides an ideal focal point when planning visits around the International Ankara Music Festival or gathering before evening performances in Kavaklıdere.

A notable event for community members to document is the annual SCA Foundation Honor Award Gold Medal (SCA Vakıf Onur Ödülü Altın Madalyası) ceremony. This distinction honors lifetime contributions to polyphonic music in Turkey, having been presented to esteemed figures such as Yüksel Erimtan in 2025, violinist Cihat Aşkın in 2021, pianist Ersin Onay in 2020, and the piano duo Güher and Süher Pekinel in 2019. The foundation also hosts the Ceyhun Atıf Kansu Poetry Award ceremony, creating an intersection between Turkish poetry and classical music.

From a sharing standpoint, community members appreciate the visual atmosphere of And Evi, the display of specialized composer biographies, and the focused moments captured during masterclasses led by instructors such as Melih Kara and Günay Tuzkaya. While standard administrative inquiries and scholarship evaluations carry no entry charges, festival concert tickets are structured to accommodate students and general cultural audiences. Pairing an afternoon recital or masterclass at the foundation with a visit to neighboring Kuğulu Park makes for a comprehensive cultural outing in Çankaya.