DÜNYA launches its 9th year with 2 new double CD releases, a new logo, a new website as well as new facebook, myspace and bandcamp pages! Now it is possible to purchase DÜNYA CDs and DVDs as well as download individual songs and/or full length albums.

We are also happy to announce that one of DÜNYA’s double CDs recorded by Grammy nominated engineer John Weston, entitled A Story of the City: Constantinople, Istanbul is currently submitted for a Grammy award. This special CD production not only has an important message but also features a largely Boston-based cast of 35 DÜNYA musicians. Please help us get the word around about this project in order to secure our place in the Grammy finals.

We would like to recognize with gratitude the contributions of the DÜNYA staff, members of the DÜNYA advisory board, and our financial supporters, without whom none of these accomplishments would have been possible.

Dr. Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol, president
Dr. Robert Labaree, vice president

At the core of DÜNYA, even before musicianship, lies friendship. DÜNYA’s many ensembles are nothing but friends of DÜNYA coming together to make music. Some of DÜNYA’s friends will tend to appear in more productions along side our core ensemble, composed of myself, Robert Labaree and Cem Mutlu. However, there will also be DÜNYA productions such as A Story of the City: Constantinople, Istanbul in which as many as 35 musicians (friends) will collaborate. Yet even though some of the cast members in such a production may be participating at a DÜNYA event for the first time, they will immediately become a member of the greater DÜNYA family.

DÜNYA has a core ensemble and many circles of friends. Each of our productions will present a musical theme and, depending on this theme and the kinds of instruments required, our core ensemble will be joined by a number of our friends. That’s what makes us a Musicians’ Collective.

Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol