The Bilkent Symphony Orchestra (BSO) was established as an original art project of Bilkent University in 1993. The Orchestra is composed of eminent artists who are the teaching staff of the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts. It is the first private and academic art community in Turkey. Participating in our artistic life with more than fifty activities every year, the ensemble has distinguished itself with concerts, television and radio recordings, as well as more than 40 CDs it has released. The Orchestra’s main tenets include organizing activities to enrich the cultural life of our country through concerts and recording series such as the Bilkent Symphony Digital, Bilkent Odeon Concerts, Turkish Composers Week and the Bilkent Anatolia Music Festival, spreading the appreciation of quality music through touring concerts, participating in international activities, as well as cooperating with organizations and institutions organizing such activities. The Orchestra cherishing the principle of rendering art functional in social life has carried out a variety of activities in cooperation with various agencies, institutions and non-governmental organizations since its foundation in 1993. The Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, which was awarded the prizes of “Contribution to Universal Friendship and World Peace” and “Cultural Representation from Local to Universal”, was named “UNICEF Turkey Goodwill Ambassador” in 2009.