The Bilkent Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1993 as an original artistic project of Bilkent University. Developed by the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, the orchestra is composed of over 90 proficient artists and academicians of the Faculty from Turkey and 12 countries. Turkish and foreign artists, continuing their post graduate studies at the Institute of Music and Performing Arts also participate in concerts to further expand the orchestra. With these characteristics the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, is the first private, international and academic, artistic ensemble in Turkey. Starting as the "Bilkent Sinfonietta" the symphonic orchestra now has the identity of an ensemble of orchestras, comprising the "Bilkent Chamber Orchestra" an "Ensemble of Wind Instruments" and various other orchestral formations. With Turkish and foreign guest conductors, soloists and choirs, the ensemble of orchestras has distinguished itself through its season events of
over 80 concerts per year and the television and radio broadcasts of these performances. The national label Bilkent Music Production has released over 30 CD's of the orchestras concerts. Amongst the Orchestra's latest recordings are the Tchaikovsky and Sancan piano concertos with Jean-Philippe Collard under the baton of Emil Tabakov for EMI. Productions
released in 2007 include A. Adnan Saygun's piano, violin, viola and violoncello concertos by CPO in collaboration with Peer Musik and the Tabakov Concerti by Naxos. Bilkent Symphony Orchestra had been declared as "UNICEF Turkey Goodwill Ambassador" in the year 2009.