Life & Work with Kemal Oksal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kemal Oksal.

Hi Kemal, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am an Orchestral conductor & music producer. After Succeeding as a principal tubist for more than ten years at Istanbul State Opera & Ballet Orchestra, I comprehend my desire for orchestral conducting. I embrace various styles and genres –movie score, world music, pop, rock, jazz, opera, and orchestral– and has taken part in several concerts and recordings as a conductor, arranger, and producer. I served as Assistant Conductor & Arranger of Cinema Symphony Orchestra in Istanbul, Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra in Boston, MA and guest conductor for the NCO (new conductors orchestra in Manhattan). I am also the founder of the Mulm Productions –a music production & entertainment company to help talented classical, opera, and jazz and pop musicians by creating unique orchestral projects. I am now an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music where I teach conducting, advanced music production and orchestration.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was not easy end up where I am now. I had moments that feeling invisible for others no matter what I did for my career. Every time I felt that I kept going. I produced, arranged and composed. Being resilient is crucial for an Artist.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an arranger and orchestral conductor, my desire is to combine different music styles and serve them in orchestral-symphonic form. I love to give add symphonic power to any music genre. I recently produced an “earthquake relief project” for the victims of Türkiye earthquake. I orchestrated & conducted a folk song from the disaster area with a symphonic orchestra, choir, world music instruments and soloists. In total 100 musicians involved for that meaningful project. Project release on Berklee College of Music’s YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxYYFGeSiIc

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
It was not easy to end up where I am now. I had moments that feeling invisible for others no matter what I did for my career. Every time I felt that I kept going. I produced, arranged and composed. Being resilient is crucial for an Artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kemaloksal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kemaloksal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oksalkemal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kemaloksal
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxYYFGeSiIc

Image Credits
Hakan Demirci