Author: Jane Topchian

Panorama.am
17:31 11/03/06

KARS AGREEMENT TO BE REVIEWED
On March 16 `Nichol Aghbalyan’ students’ union is
going to organize a conference dedicated to
anti-Armenian agreement signed in 1921 in Moscow (this
year the agreement is 85 years old).
As the organizers mention `by to this agreement
Armenia seemed to be forgotten and neglected’. Without
the participation of Armenia the territories of
Historical Armenia were divided between Azerbaijan and
Turkey. Thus, the agreement is unacceptable and hasn’t
received its real estimation. At the present the
situation has changed; there is no longer Soviet Union
and Armenia is independent, the character of the
relations and the policy has greatly changed as well.
Thus, it should be insisted that the question will be
raise din the future and the Kars and Moscow
agreements will be reviewed consonant to modern
interests of the RA.’
One of the goals of the conference is to prove the
legal and historical injustice of the agreement and
keep it in the centre of attention of political forces
of the country. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAKU DEMANDS THAT EUROVISION “RESPECT TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY” OF AZERBAIJAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.03.2006 18:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan
has sent a letter of protest to organizers of Eurovision song
contest. The Azeri Ministry of Culture “being extremely concerned”
that biography of Andre, a singer, who comes from Armenia, notes he
was born in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, sent a letter to organizers
of the contest. The letter says, “the fact should be considered as
disrespect of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and provocation
that can be interpreted as contest organizers’ supporting Armenia’s
aggressive policy.”
The letter emphasized that “Nagorno Karabakh is an inseparable part
of the Azerbaijani Republic. The world society knows that since
1988 Azerbaijan suffered from Armenia’s aggression. Resulting from
hostilities Nagorno Karabakh and adjacent territories that make 20%
of the territory of the Azerbaijani Republic were occupied. Over one
million people were driven out and became displaced persons.”
The message further notes that “the international community now focuses
on the peace talks with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group, and
facts like this one can have a negative impact on the process.”
Concluding, the letter expresses “confidence that organizers of
the contest, which serves to dialogue of cultures, will be able to
manage the misunderstanding and will display respect to territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, recognized by the international community,”
Day.az reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/18/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Armenia's Military Spending to Keep Pace with Azerbaijan 2) 'Hamshen and Hamshen Armenians' conference concludes in Sochi 3) Turkey Warns it May Take Action against PKK in North Iraq 4) Orange County Community Welcomes His Holiness Aram I 1) Armenia's Military Spending to Keep Pace with Azerbaijan YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--A nearly 20 percent increase in Armenia's military spending next year is a response to the drastic rise in similar expenditures in neighboring Azerbaijan, officials in Yerevan said following Tuesday's closed meeting of parliamentary commissions. National Assembly Standing Defense, Internal Affairs and National Security Commission Chairman Mher Shahgeldian confirmed plans to increase next year's military budget to $150 million. Saying that the move was planned considering Azerbaijan's drastic increase in military spending, the lawmaker added: "We should pay attention to this correlation. Our task in this case is to preserve our qualitative level to ensure the country's defense capability and security." Minister of Defense Serge Sarkisian said the sum is sufficient to ensure the country's defense. "This amount of spending is the minimum to ensure a due level of our army's combat efficiency," he told the media. "For the first time the defense budget has been made not proceeding from the absolute sum of previous years, but from the percentage of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), that is, there is an agreement that at least 3 percent of our GDP should be spent for defense purposes." Meanwhile, Azerbaijan plans to double its military spending in 2006 increasing it to $650 million. During the press conference, Sarkisian also spoke about the possible outcome of upcoming elections in Azerbaijan and how they could influence the Karabagh peace process. "It is natural that if the opposition suddenly wins perhaps the negotiating process would have to begin from scratch, and if the authorities win, I think the negotiating process will be continued," the minister said. Regarding his trip to Washington slated for late October, Sarkisian said it was a routine visit, and not one to intensify military cooperation with the US--at the expense of Armenian-Russian relations. "We wish to be friends with both sides," the minister said. Talking about the upcoming referendum on constitutional amendments, Sarkisian said: "I don't want this referendum to be compared to a football match. I think that in case of proper work, a sufficient number of voters will turn out and will say 'yes' to the constitutional amendments." 2) 'Hamshen and Hamshen Armenians' conference concludes in Sochi YEREVAN (Yerkir)--A three-day conference about Hamshen and Hamshen Armenians ended on October 15 in the southern Russian city of Sochi, home to over 100,000 Hamshen Armenians. Currently a part of Turkey, Hamshen was a historic Armenian region that was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1491. Some Hamshen Armenians adopted Islam, while others emigrated to the Russian Empire. The conference was organized by the History Institute of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) Moscow Armenian Affairs office, with the support of Hamshen Union of the Krasnodar region, and Yerkramas Armenian news center located in southern Russia. Scholars from Armenia, Russia, Iran, and the United States, including UCLA Professor Richard Hovannisian, participated in the conference. ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian, ARF Bureau member and National Assembly Vice-speaker Vahan Hovhannisian, ARF's Moscow Armenian Affairs Office Director Yura Navoyan, European Armenian Federation Chairwoman Hilda Tchoboyan, and ARF Bureau's Armenian and Political Affairs Office Director Giro Manoyan, also participated. The reports of the conference will be published in Armenian, Turkish, Russian and English. Organizers and participants noted that the event holds not only scientific significance but that it also served as a bridge between Hamshen Armenians, Armenia, and diaspora Armenians. There are currently 400,000 Hamshen Armenians, half of which are Muslims. Most Christian Hamshen Armenians reside in Abkhazia and the Krasnodar region of Russia. 3) Turkey Warns it May Take Action against PKK in North Iraq ANKARA (Reuters)--Turkey said on Tuesday it would take steps to end the presence of Turkish Kurd rebels in the mountains of northern Iraq, but stopped short of directly threatening military action. Turkish officials have repeatedly demanded US, Iraqi Kurd, and Iraqi government forces crack down on Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) forces in north Iraq from where rebel leaders direct their fight for Kurdish self-rule in nearby Turkey. "The principal point which we have stressed at these meetings is that the terrorist presence in northern Iraq must be combated," Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told a meeting of his parliamentary party. "So far, Turkey has maintained a patient stance." But, he said: "Our nation expects us to take effective measures to clean up the terrorist presence in the region. We will take clear and effective steps to bring this about. I remind you we will do what is necessary when the time is right." In the 1990s, Turkish forces launched repeated raids into northern Iraq to hunt down PKK rebels in the mountainous region. Turkey still keeps several hundred soldiers inside Iraq, close to the Turkish border, despite Iraqi calls for them to leave. But since the 2003 Iraq war, Turkish troops have not mounted any operations inside Iraq against the PKK which is based on the Qandil Mountain in the far northeast of the country. US officials admit their troops are too tied up fighting the insurgency in Iraq to turn their attention to the PKK which rarely engages in any hostile activity inside Iraq. 4) Orange County Community Welcomes His Holiness Aram I Pontiff meets World Vision, students, and visits Glendale Adventist and Ararat Home LOS ANGELES--His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia kept to his busy schedule, reaching out to all parts of the southern California community and on October 13, traveled to Orange County to visit Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Santa Ana. Greeting His Holiness were leaders from Forty Martyrs Church and the various community organizations as well as clergy from the Coptic Church and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido with the welcoming procession led by the Homenetmen scouts. Anticipating the visit, The Orange County Register newspaper had printed a lengthy article that day about His Holiness. After presiding over Hrashapar service, the community proceeded to the large community center adjacent to the church for a special welcoming banquet cultural program. In his remarks during the banquet His Holiness stressed that there should consistently be greater collaboration and unity in the community and the church with a renewed level of proactive participation, especially with the youth. Earlier His Holiness started his day meeting with the international Christian relief and development organization World Vision in Monrovia, California, where he held leadership meetings to discuss strengthening ecumenical collaboration and partnerships between churches and humanitarian organizations. His Holiness also spent some time at Glendale Adventist Medical Center where he met with the medical center's President Scott Reiner, the center's leadership, and visited patients. The Glendale News-Press and the Associated Press wire service covered his visit to Glendale Adventist. On Thursday afternoon, His Holiness met with over 250 college students at Glendale Community College, an event organized by the ARF Shant Student Association and co-sponsored by the Armenian Student Associations of Glendale Community College, the University of California Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles, and Loyola Marymount University. His Holiness partook in a lengthy open forum question and answer session in order to make the session interactive. He answered questions regarding religion, faith, education, the church, Christianity, and moral and family values. Students came away from the forum feeling enlightened and inspired because of their intimate interaction with His Holiness as he clearly articulated his philosophy on the many current issues facing students in everyday life. As with all the events during the visit, the college student session received an enthusiastic response because of the ability of His Holiness to connect with all people, including the youth. On the previous day, His Holiness visited the Ararat Home in Mission Hills, immediately after returning from Fresno, California. There he met with the Ararat Home's Board of Trustees and staff and spent time with residents. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western United States stated: "His Holiness specifically wanted to visit the Ararat Home to share his love, care, and respect toward our mothers and fathers." All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Boston Herald, MA
Oct 9 2005
Turkey waiting for EU
By Boston Herald editorial staff
Sunday, October 9, 2005
Eighteen years after it applied for membership in the European Union,
Turkey and EU diplomats have begun formal negotiations on the
application. The talks may take 10 years, but it is important that
eventually Turkey be admitted.

The Muslim world is torn by a struggle between the peaceable
majority and intolerant fundamentalists who seek religious rule under
a new caliphate eventually embracing the whole world. Nothing would
go further to convince Muslims that they have nothing to fear and
everything to gain from modernity and the West in general, and
secular government in particular, than the recognition of Turkey as a
full member of Europe.

Turkey’s economy is oriented to the West, it has been a member
of NATO for more than a half-century, and its government has been
determinedly secular since 1925, even though it is now led by a party
that calls itself Islamic.

Turkey has jumped through hoop after hoop to prove to critics in
Europe that its values are acceptable. It abolished the death
penalty, legalized use of the Kurdish language and finally has begun
to examine whether the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians
in 1915 and after was the genocide that the rest of the civilized
world considers it.

There are more hoops, such as the country’s refusal to recognize
Cyprus, on which it must relent if it wants to join the European
Union because Cyprus is now a member. But hoops are what negotiations
are about.

Europe’s fears are more of an obstacle to membership than
Turkey’s policies and values. Many workers in the original Common
Market member countries fear wage and other competition from the new
members to the East, and politicians often play to those fears. There
is a certain irony in this, for hundreds of thousands of German
workers are Turks recruited to make up labor shortages caused by
World War II.

Austria has been devious in trying to block negotiations by
tying them to the status of Croatia, which it is backing for
membership. The rest of Europe at least has recognized this is not
1683, and no conquering Turkish army is knocking at the gates of Vienna.

Monday September 26, 2005 17:31
Armenian Genocide Special on NPR and TheBBC World
Radio programs
Turkey’s Past Report (5:30)
Armenians say that hundreds of thousands of their people were killed
by Ottoman Turks in 1915. The Turks deny this claim. This weekend
Turkey had its first public discussion about the Armenian massacre.
The World’s Jennifer Glasse has more.
Audio Link:
Genocide Interview (2:55)
The members of the popular band, System of a Down, are all of Armenian
descent. They are taking part in a rally to try to get the Speaker of
the US House to hold a vote on legislation about the Armenian
genocide.
Audio Link:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CANDIDATE UNTIL TRIED
A1+
| 19:27:25 | 26-09-2005 | Politics |
The present mayor of Nor Hachin Armen Qeshishyan who is in criminal
isolator will participate in the elections of mayor on October 9. On
September 24 he killed the head of the Electricity network of Nor
Hachin Ashot Mkhitaryan.
According to the legislation Armen Qeshishyan can participate in the
elections as the court has not found him guilty yet.
The only known reason for the assassination is pre-electoral: the
preset mayor had put forward his candidacy, and Ashot Mkhitaryan was
for his opponent Babken Margaryan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief
================================================
Monday 26 September 2005
RUSSIA: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO BE CONFISCATED?
Its registration liquidated in 2003 for “administrative violations” and
with subsequent registration applications denied, the Emmanuel
Presbyterian Church in Mozdok in Russia’s North Caucasus now faces the
confiscation of its “beautiful Gothic-style” prayer house, church
administrator Olga Mazhurova told Forum 18 News Service. The local
administration told the congregation in early September that there is
enough evidence to file suit for its confiscation, though no date for a
court hearing has been set. The church admits it “made mistakes” over the
way the church was built without planning permission, but claims it has
been blocked from regularising its position due to local suspicion of its
foreign connections. Officials at Mozdok district prosecutor’s office have
refused to discuss with Forum 18 why they are seeking to confiscate the
church.
RUSSIA: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO BE CONFISCATED?
By Geraldine Fagan, Forum 18 News Service
A 600-strong Presbyterian church in the Northern Ossetian town of Mozdok
in Russia’s North Caucasus looks set to have its prayer house confiscated
by the local state authorities. Emmanuel Church’s administrator Olga
Mazhurova acknowledged to Forum 18 News Service on 20 September that her
community had “made mistakes” in the past over the way the church was
built, primarily due to a lack of legal expertise, but claims it has been
blocked from regularising its position due to local suspicion of its
foreign connections. Mozdok is close both to Beslan – where Emmanuel has
given material support to victims of the September 2004 school siege – and
to the conflict zone of Chechnya and Ingushetia. Officials at Mozdok
district public prosecutor’s office have refused to discuss with Forum 18
why they are seeking to confiscate the church.
The Mozdok Presbyterians – who are predominantly Russian, Ossetian and
Korean but also Armenian and Chechen – have been able to gather freely for
worship at their building since the church’s registration was liquidated in
2003, Mazhurova told Forum 18. At the beginning of September 2005, however,
they were informed by the local administration that there is now sufficient
evidence to file suit for the confiscation of their prayer house, she said,
although no date for a court hearing has yet been set.
Founded by South Korean missionaries, Emmanuel Church bought two adjacent
plots of land in Mozdok in approximately 1997, according to Mazhurova, and
then knocked down the two village houses located there. Repeatedly refused
planning permission – in her view due to its foreign connections – the
church nevertheless completed construction of its 1000-seater “beautiful
Gothic-style” prayer house at the site in approximately 2000, she said,
hoping to legalise it post factum. “We decided on that course of action
because we had no lawyer at the time.”
Instead, however, the local authorities began to take note of the church’s
administrative violations in an atmosphere increasingly hostile towards the
Presbyterians, Mazhurova continued. “We didn’t have much contact with the
local authorities, so they thought the church might be a cover for
espionage – there is an aerodrome near here – or conducting anti-Russian
activity. Local press articles began to maintain that we were turning
people into zombies, almost killing them.” When laws became more complex,
she added, what had seemed like minor technical violations “snowballed
against us”.
As well as pointing to the absence of planning permission, Mazhurova told
Forum 18 that local officials claimed Emmanuel’s English-language classes
and medical centre were not properly registered. Pavel Bak of the
Moscow-based Pentecostal union to which the church is affiliated told
Forum 18 on 20 September that a further violation was considered to have
taken place when South Korean and US missionaries working with the Mozdok
Presbyterians some years ago overstayed the validity period of their
Russian visas. As a result, according to Mazhurova, a local Mozdok court
liquidated Emmanuel Church in September 2003. For the next two years, she
added, the community tried to register anew without success.
Protestant communities in Russia are increasingly reporting bureaucratic
opposition to their church building projects (see F18News 24 August 2005
<;). On 21 September, a secretary at Mozdok district public prosecutor's office who was clearly familiar with the situation asked Forum 18 to ring a different number at the same office in several hours' time. He declined to name the official dealing with the Presbyterians' case, but claimed that anyone answering the given number would be able to respond to Forum 18's query, promising to warn staff so that they could seek out relevant documentation in the mean time. Telephoning the number at the appointed time, however, Forum 18 was told that the person dealing with the Presbyterians' case was on holiday. The person who answered claimed that he did not know anything about the case and refused to discuss anything by telephone. To Forum 18's knowledge, Emmanuel's is the first case in which a religious organisation has been liquidated for purely administrative violations since - and contra to - a 7 February 2002 ruling by Russia's Constitutional Court. Concerning, but not limited to, the Moscow branch of the Salvation Army, this stipulated that a religious organisation may be liquidated only if found to be conducting anti-constitutional activity or "properly proven to have ceased its activities". In August 2002 an independent Baptist community in the Pacific port of Vanino founded by US missionary Dan Pollard avoided liquidation as a result of this ruling. Latterly, however, a charismatic church in the Tuvan capital Kyzyl similarly escaped liquidation for minor administrative violations only by voluntarily disbanding (see F18News 18 July 2005 <;). Forum 18 notes that last year's liquidation of the Moscow organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses was ordered on the basis of alleged anti-constitutional activity (see F18News 29 March 2004 <;). For a personal commentary by an Old Believer about continuing denial of equality to Russia's religious minorities see F18News <; For more background see Forum 18's Russia religious freedom survey at <; A printer-friendly map of Russia is available at < s/atlas/index.html?Parent=europe&Rootmap=russi >
(END)
© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News
Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEW UK AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA APPOINTED
Pan Armenian News
07.09.2005 06:45
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As PanARMENIAN.Net came to know from the Embassy
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Anthony
Cantor will replace Thorda Abbot-Watt, who is completing her diplomatic
mission in the RA in January 2006, at the post of the UK Ambassador
to Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YUNUSOV: KARABAKH PROCESS ACTIVATION CONDITIONED BY INCREASED PRESSURE OF WEST ON YEREVAN AND BAKU
Pan Armenian News
06.09.2005 04:42
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ After Ilham Aliyev coming to power in October 2003,
a natural pause has appeared in the talks, head of the Department of
Conflictology and Migration of the Institute of Peace and Democracy
Arif Yunusov stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. In his
words, a situation has appeared that had already taken place, when
after the resignation of Levon Ter-Petrosyan new Armenian President
Robert Kocharian stated the line pursued in the talks by the Armenian
authorities was incorrect and it was necessary to review many aspects
in the negotiation process. “I. Aliyev behaved the same way, stating it
was necessary to start the talks from naught. This at first caused a
painful response of Armenia, however talks started then and they were
even called “the Prague process.” That was what I exactly meant when
stating in one of interviews in Azerbaijan that a new, recurrent and
of course not last stage has outlined in the negotiation process,”
the expert noted. In his words, “The activation is conditioned with
the increase of West pressure upon Armenian and Azeri authorities
and the domestic political situation in the two republics,” the Azeri
political scientist considers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Symphony celebrates Diamond Anniversary
by LIANNE ELLIOTT
The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario)
September 3, 2005 Saturday Final Edition
When the first notes of music rang out, conductor Raffi Armenian
was thrilled.
He was leading the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony through its first
rehearsal in its brand new concert hall, The Centre in the Square.
Armenian had wondered what the acoustics would be like in the new
building. When he heard the sounds of the symphony float through the
room, he knew he had nothing to fear.
“The most exciting moment was that first rehearsal,” Armenian said
from his Montreal home.
“We realized that we had great acoustics. Acoustics are never
completely foolproof and to really hit the top was quite exciting.”
That first rehearsal at The Centre In The Square back in 1980 was one
of the memories that came to Armenian’s mind as he reflected earlier
this week on the symphony’s long history.
The symphony is launching its 60th anniversary season this month.
Between now and next June, the 53-piece orchestra will give 90
performances in Waterloo Region, Guelph and beyond, beginning with
a free concert in Waterloo Park on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Through it all, the symphony will be reflecting on its 60-year history
and preparing for a 60th anniversary concert in April featuring the
Beaux Arts Trio.
Armenian, who now teaches at University of Toronto and the music
conservatory Montreal, will return to Kitchener to conduct the concert.
He was the K-W Symphony’s artistic director from 1971 to 1993,
leading the orchestra through a number of significant changes.
During those 22 years, the symphony went on its first international
tours, made its first recordings with the CBC and changed from an
amateur to a professional organization.
It has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1945, when a
local choir director suggested that an orchestra be formed to join
his singers in a concert.
An orchestra was pieced together, joining Glenn Kruspe’s Philharmonic
Choir at a concert in a packed Queen Street South hockey arena in
downtown Kitchener.
As the decades went by, the symphony kept playing in auditoriums,
theatres and dance halls, until it finally got its home at Centre In
The Square.
Marianne Leach, who has worked with the symphony 17 years, remembers
seeing the symphony play in the newly-built centre in Kitchener.
One show stands out in particular. In 1989, one of Canada’s best-known
tenors, Jon Vickers, performed his last public concert, choosing to
do so with the K-W Symphony at Centre In The Square.
Leach, a singer who was new in town, was invited to sing in the show.
“I got to see an incredible orchestra, with the soloists working
so well with Raffi,” said Leach, who is the symphony’s artistic
administrator.
“It was my first introduction to the area. It’s a pretty good way to
get introduced to the community.”
While there have been many memorable performances by the symphony in
its six-decade run, there have also been difficult moments.
The symphony dismissed two of its conductors, Chosei Komatsu and
Martin Fischer-Dieskau, sparking bitter debates among symphony members
and supporters.
The symphony is currently looking for a conductor. This season,
15 guest conductors from around the world have been invited to work
with the symphony. Many of them will be auditioning to be the next
permanent conductor.
There is no set deadline for choosing the new conductor.
While the decision is being made, Simon Streatfeild remains the
symphony’s artistic adviser and principal guest conductor.
While the conductor search is ongoing, the symphony is continuing with
it’s community programs, performing for the foodbank, seniors’ centres
and other organizations. The symphony also continues to run its youth
orchestra program for more than 100 young musicians in the community.
Armenian said that in its 60-year history, the K-W Symphony has made
a name for itself.
“It is established as one of the major orchestras in Canada,” he
said. “That is a very big responsibility and that is something for
which you have to maintain a standard.
“I hope this is happening and I hope audiences continue to support
the orchestra.”
[email protected]
60 YEARS OF THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY AT A GLANCE
1945
An orchestra forms to accompany the Philharmonic Choir at a concert
in a hockey rink near today’s Queen and Charles streets in Kitchener.
The show draws 2,000 and the orchestra is inspired to stay together
with Glenn Kruspe as conductor and music director.
1960
Frederic Pohl is the symphony’s new artistic director.
1966
The KWS Youth Orchestra is formed, dedicating itself to the development
of young musicians.
1971
Raffi Armenian signs on as artistic director and remains in the role
for 22 years.
1974
The symphony becomes a professional organization when the Stratford
Festival Ensemble, now the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, is formed. The
musicians in the ensemble worked with the Stratford Festival and also
filled the first-chair positions in the KWS.
1980
Centre in the Square opens in the heart of Kitchener, becoming the
symphony’s new home.
1980
First CBC recording of the KWS. The album is called Oktoberfest
Operettas.
1984
First international tour, to Spain.
1986
Raffi Armenian is made a Member of the Order of Canada.
1989
Canadian tenor Jon Vickers performs in public for the last time,
in a concert performance of Wagner’s Parsifal with the KWS.
1992
Repertoire from the Canadian Chamber Ensemble’s Music from Berlin
in the 1920s is selected by Director Woody Allen to underscore the
opening credits of his film, Shadows and Fog.
1993
Chosei Komatsu is the symphony’s new artistic director and conductor.
1999
Electric Thursdays, the now popular Classics, Rock ‘n Roll series,
starts when the Jeans ‘n’ Classics Band from London, Ont. collaborates
with the KWS to perform a Beatles tribute.
2002
Martin Fischer-Dieskau is named principal conductor.
2004
Simon Streatfeild is appointed artistic adviser and principal guest
conductor.
2005
KWS celebrates its 60th anniversary season.
SYMPHONY SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Music in the Park, Sept. 11
Outdoor concert featuring music of West Side Story, Lord of the Rings,
Star Wars and others. Children’s activities, refreshments available.
Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Waterloo Park, Albert Street entrance.
Cost: Free. Bring a chair or blanket.
60 Years of Broadway Musicals, Sept. 15, 16, 17
Pops series kicks off with tribute to Broadway hits such as My Fair
Lady and Phantom of the Opera. Featuring baritone Denys Mailhiot,
conductor Brian Jackson.
Where: Centre in the Square and Guelph River Run Centre
Cost: $38 – $50, package deals and
student/senior rates also available.
Symphonic Songs, Sept. 23,24
Masterpiece series begins with two concerts featuring Canadian
mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, with conductor Simon Streatfeild. Music
of Wagner, Mahler and Rachmaninoff performed.
Where: Centre in the Square
Cost: $27 to $50, package deals, student/senior rates available.
Gala night, Nov. 17
Evening of dinner and dancing featuring popular tunes of the Jeans
‘n Classics band, joined by the symphony.
Where: Marshall Hall, Bingemans
Cost: $75
60th Anniversary Celebration Concert, April 28
Conductor Raffi Armenian, the Beaux Arts Trio and the symphony perform
Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and Symphony No. 3
Where: Centre in the Square
Cost: $45- $65
Tickets
For more information, visit , call the symphony
at 745-4711, or call the box office at
578-1570.
GRAPHIC: Photo: KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY; Members of the
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony command the stage at the Centre in the
Square, their home since 1980. The orchestra has come a long way
from its humble beginnings in 1945.; Photo: RECORD STAFF; Conductor
emeritus Raffi Armenian will return to the podium next April 28 for
the 60th Anniversary Celebration concert.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress