PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 10, 2004
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WEEK-LONG SEMINAR HELPS DEVELOP JUNIOR CHOIR LEADERSHIP
By Mary Selvinazian
After a year of planning, the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of
America (AACCA) held its first junior choir leadership development
seminar: a week-long session for the next generation of choir members.
Held at the Diocese’s new Ararat Center in Greenville, NY, from August 3
to 8, 2004, the seminar brought together 12 young musicians — ranging
in age from 14 to 19 — from 10 parishes throughout the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern). The program’s purpose was to
train qualified leaders for future service as choir directors. The
participants were members of their parish choirs, serving as singers,
organists, and altar servers; each came recommended by his or her parish
priest.
The participants were greeted upon arrival by Fr. Untzag Nalbandian,
director of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education, who, on
behalf of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, commended the young people for
being selected for this new program.
Classes were taught by notable faculty members. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian,
pastor of the Holy Martyrs Church in Bayside, NY, focused on the role of
the deacon in the Armenian Church. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, pastor of St.
Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, demonstrated how to properly play
Armenian sacred music on the organ. Dn. Rubik Mailian, choir leader for
the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, discussed voice production
techniques and explored how to direct different vocal sections. Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian, coordinator of Music Ministry for the Diocese, taught
conducting skills to the young participants. Dr. Socrates Boyajian,
choir director for the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., gave a
presentation on western music, led a survey of music theory, and taught
ear training.
Since graduates of this program will be given the title of assistant
choir director, part of their graduation requirement was for each to
direct a segment of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 8, at the St.
Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, during a badarak celebrated by Fr. Arsen
Barsamian. The complete service was sung a cappella, producing a
haunting blend of voices, reminiscent of ancient renderings of the
Divine Liturgy. Along with conducting, the 12 young singers also joined
in the singing, blending their voices with local choir members and
deacons of the St. Peter Armenian Church. This was the result of the
over six hours of daily instruction, and additional practice time, that
each new assistant choir director put in over the four-day period of the
program.
FUN AND LEARNING
Along with the rigorous daily classroom schedule, the young musicians
had plenty of time for fellowship and social activities.
Through evaluation surveys and comments, the participants indicated that
they were highly motivated by the week of instruction and that they
benefited a great deal from each of the courses. Some indicated that
this week was an experience they would not forget, noting that they
learned more about the Divine Liturgy.
Learning to conduct a choir is what they came for, and their comments
indicated they were not disappointed. Each gained enough confidence to
stand before a crowd and conduct; and each indicated that his or her
hope to return next year for more intensive training.
Dr. Socrates Boyajian, of the AACCA Central Council, spearheaded the
junior choir leadership program and served as the coordinator for the
week’s sessions. Assisting Dr. Boyajian were other AACCA Central
Council members: Dn. Gregory Krikorian, Arpie Kouzouian, Mary
Selvinazian, and Anoush Givelekian; each of whom spent the week at the
Ararat Center to ensure the smooth functioning of the program. Former
Central Council member Anna Garabedian, of Springfield, MA, was also
present.
Each parish sending a young member to the program contributed a sum
toward the expenses of the conference. The balance was picked up by the
AACCA Central Council, which received contributions from generous donors
to help fund this worthy cause.
Participating in the first junior choir leadership development program,
were:
Erika Belezarian from St. Mark, Springfield, MA
Alyne Corrigan and Taleen Terjanian from St. Stepanos, Elberon, NJ
Gregory Dalakian from St. Mary, Livingston, NJ
Tamar Derderian from St. Sahag and St. Mesrob, Wynnewood, PA
Elise Durgarian from Holy Translators, Framingham, MA
Harry Lang and Sarah Malconian from Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA
Tamara Martirosyan from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, Providence, RI
Ani Nalbandian from Holy Ascension, Trumbull, CT
Katherine Norris from St. James, Richmond, VA
Dziadzan Sahagian from St. James, Watertown, MA
— 9/10/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Khoren Mekanejian, coordinator of music ministry for
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), works with
student Gregory Dalakian on his conducting technique during the first
junior choir leadership development seminar organized by the Association
of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA) from August 3 to 8, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr Mamigon Kiledjian demonstrates proper organ pedal
technique to young musicians during a junior choir leadership
development seminar at the Diocese’s Ararat Center in upstate New York.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Students at the first junior choir development
seminar are introduced to the Choir Association’s website, which serves
as a useful tool for choir directors.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Deacon Rubin Mailian speaks on vocal technique to
the young participants of the first ever junior choir leadership
development seminar organized by the Association of Armenian Church
Choirs of America (AACCA) from August 3 to 8, 2004.
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