PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 20, 2007
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CHOIR ASSOCIATION HONORS MAESTRO KHOREN MEKANEJIAN
By Lydia Kurkjian
Few musicians have the chance to be recognized for their achievements during
their lifetime. But when that musician is Maestro Khoren Mekanejian,
coordinator of music ministry for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern), it is only fitting to celebrate all that he has
accomplished.
On Sunday, June 3, 2007, the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of
America (AACCA) organized a gala celebration of Maestro Mekanejian’s
life-work, including his unique musical arrangement of the sacred music of
the Divine Liturgy.
The celebration marked the grand premiere of the "Khorenian Badarak" at St.
Vartan Cathedral in New York City. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Fr.
Mardiros Chevian and presided over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Eastern Diocese. The hymns of the liturgy were sung by the St.
Vartan Cathedral Choir. Faithful and friends of Maestro Mekanejian who had
traveled from as far away as Canada and California packed the Cathedral.
Most in attendance experienced the "Khorenian Badarak" for the first time
and many were moved to tears by the angelic sounds of the St. Vartan
Cathedral Choir and altar servers. The choir, which had been practicing for
this special occasion for weeks in advance, consisted of both professional
and nonprofessional singers from around the tri-state area, with Florence
Avakian serving as organist. Soloists included Maestro’s daughter Hasmig
Mekanejian, Vagharshag Ohanian, Anahid Zakarian, Dr. Levon Capan, Maro
Partamian, Solange Merdinian, and Anoush Barclay.
During the celebration, Archbishop Barsamian presented the Maestro with the
St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and Encyclical on behalf of His Holiness Karekin
II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
"In the decades you led the choir of the Mother See, you brought your grace
and rich experience to the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by assuring it
was conducted properly," the Catholicos wrote in his Encyclical. "You also
composed a new melody for the Divine Liturgy which was sung in the Mother
Cathedral numerous times and was accepted with love by our devoted
faithful."
CELEBRATING A LIFE
Following the Divine Liturgy, the AACCA hosted "Maestro Khoren Mekanejian:
The Man and His Music," a tribute dinner and program in Maestro’s honor.
Archbishop Barsamian offered the invocation, opening the afternoon’s
celebration.
Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, serving as master of ceremonies, welcomed the crowd
of almost 250 people, commenting that the guests were gathered to honor a
man who "connected our children all over the Diocese and at our camps to
their roots, history, and heritage through our Armenian songs."
Arpie Kouzouian, chairman of the AACCA, detailed Maestro’s background,
highlighting his accomplishments and thanking the AACCA Central Council for
the hard work and dedication that went into planning this event.
Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, Diocesan Vicar of the Eastern Diocese and one of
Maestro’s notable former students, raised a glass in toasting his former
instructor who taught in the seminary at Holy Etchmiadzin when Armenia was
still under Soviet rule. He noted that Maestro’s other students include His
Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians; Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese; Fr.
Untzag Nalbandian, and Fr. Zenob Nalbandian.
Fr. Najarian said Maestro instilled in his students a sense of love and
appreciation for liturgical music at a time when it was not easy to be a
Christian. "In those days, it was hard to stay true to the music," Fr.
Haigazoun said. "But Maestro never wavered."
Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, spoke on his
relationship with Maestro and the partnership they have forged over the
years. Along with serving the parishes of the Diocese, Maestro oversees
liturgical music at the Cathedral.
"Anyone who thinks a priest can do it on his own is wrong," Fr. Chevian
said. "Teamwork is important. Maestro and I work side by side. I never
worry about being prepared for the major feast days or special occasions
here at the Cathedral."
MUSICAL CAREER
After these kind remarks, the crowd enjoyed dinner and a movie. A
commemorative DVD, entitled "The Man and His Music" and edited by Artzagank
Armenian TV, used archival footage and stills to take viewers through
Maestro’s childhood, beginnings as a musician, and his work with the Church.
Of particular interest to the crowd was his work within the Diocese.
Maestro Khoren came to New York in 1993 when Archbishop Barsamian invited
him to conduct the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir.
"We are thankful to our Primate for his far-sighted vision in inviting
Maestro Khoren to come to our Diocese," Fr. Nalbandian said. "And not only
to invite him, but to create the music ministry position. We are thankful
for that."
Since coming to the Diocese, Maestro’s role has expanded greatly. Along
with working with the AACCA and teaching the students of St. Nersess
Seminary, Maestro travels to Diocesan camps during the summer months and
gives music lessons at area Armenian schools on Saturdays.
Before the most recent celebration, Maestro had been awarded the Soorp
Mesrob Mashdotz Medal and Encyclical from the Catholicos of Cilicia Karekin
I in 1991 and the Mashdotz Medal from Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I
in 1997.
During the banquet, the Primate spoke about Maestro’s passion for music and
how he has put his skills to good use bringing people closer to God.
"Life is God’s gift, but with this gift God also gives us talents. Using
these talents we make life meaningful," Archbishop Barsamian said. "For 70
years of life, Maestro Khoren has been using the gifts God has given him to
strengthen our Church and the Armenian community."
REFLECTING ON PASSION
After the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" and Maestro blew out the candles on
his cake, he reflected on the past 70 years. He expressed his love and
gratitude for his family: his wife Flora, son Hagop, daughter Hasmig,
son-in-law Manuel, and their two children, Ani and Levon. Maestro
especially thanked the young servers of the dinner, his former students, who
worked so hard all afternoon to make the evening a success.
Arpie Kouzouian and Anoush Givelekian, chair and vice-chair of the AACCA
respectively, presented Maestro with a commemorative plaque in honor of his
continued passion to the sacred music of the Armenian Church.
The day-long program ended with the riveting musical performance by the
Cathedral Choir. Maestro introduced and conducted each song, all of which
were handpicked because of their significance in Maestro’s career.
Maestro’s daughter, Mezzo Soprano Hasmig, sang a particularly moving
rendition of "Hokees (My Soul)" dedicated to her father.
Maestro enthusiastically signed copies of "The Songs of My Life," his new
biography and songbook published by the AACCA which is now available through
the St. Vartan Bookstore.
"I am not happy I turned 70," he said with a smile. "But I am happy that
the audience has understood my work. When God gives life, he gives every
person a purpose. This is my purpose. I made a promise to Vasken I, and I
am grateful that I was able to keep it."
If they were unfamiliar with his life work previously, all those in
attendance could now attest to what the AACCA’s Givelekian had to say about
Maestro: "We have a living legend in our midst, and we must take advantage
of all he has to offer. His legacy will be alongside Gomidas and Yegmalian;
his rendition of the Divine Liturgy is truly a masterpiece!"
— 6/25/07
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): During a 70th birthday celebration, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate, presents Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, coordinator of music
ministry for the Diocese, with the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and
Encyclical on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Arpie Kouzouian and Anoush Givelekian, chair and
vice-chair of the AACCA respectively, present Maestro Mekanejian with a
commemorative plaque during a gala celebration at the St. Vartan Cathedral
on June 3, 2007.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Maestro Khoren Mekanejian leads a choir during a
celebration of his life and work organized by the Association of Armenian
Church Choirs of America (AACCA).
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