Awards and Contests

Music contests also created an outlet for amateur musicians to express their talent and gain attention. The most established and oldest one is the one organized by nightclub Roxy. Its contestants and winners include now famous rock musicians such as Teoman, Şebnem Ferah and Kurban. Rock ‘n Dark Express, Miller Music Factory (both by Efes Pilsen), and Nokia Supersound are also well-reputed contests. Recently the winners of these contests have not really made it to larger public.

TV channels also have their own “American Idol” type shows which cater to a more mainstream public. These include Popster, Türkünü Söyle, and Akademi Türkiye, and are also seen as possible paths to success by many young people. In terms of classical vocal singing, the Leyla Gencer Şan Yarışması is having its sixth year in 2010. It is named after the diva Leyla Gencer and organized by Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts and La Scala where Gencer was an established singer.