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Hovanness Badalian Music Fund Banquet - an event to remember

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  • Hovanness Badalian Music Fund Banquet - an event to remember

    For immediate release

    An Amaras Art Alliance program
    December 17, 2004

    Hovanness Badalian Music Fund Banquet - an event to remember

    Hovanness Badalian Music Fund
    P.O.Box 733,
    Watertown, MA 02471
    Phone: 617-331-0426
    Email: [email protected]
    Contact person:
    Tatoul Badalian, Program Director

    617- 331-0426 [email protected]

    An enthusiastic Artur Anushavanyan, folk singer from Yerevan, and
    poet Zepure Arman were among the young people who performed at the
    First Annual Banquet of the Hovanness Badalian Music Fund held in
    Watertown, Massachusetts. The December 4, 2004 event brought together
    close to 250 supporters of the Fund, young and young at heart,
    in a festive atmosphere. Armine Mirzabegian MD, speaking on behalf
    of the organizing committee, welcomed everyone and invited composer
    and conductor Konstantin Petrosian of Providence, RI, to speak about
    the goals and mission of the Fund. Following Maestro Petrosianâ~@~Ys
    remarks a short biography of Badalian, narrated by the singer himself,
    was presented on video courtesy of Argisti Chaparian and his father
    Vartan. His Excellency Dr Arman Kirakossian, Armeniaâ~@~Ys ambassador
    to the US, who together with his wife and young son was among invited
    guests, spoke about the importance of such an undertaking and urged
    everyone to continue their support of the Fund. He emphasized that by
    helping the children in their music education the Fund will also help
    strengthen our cultural identity. Hovanness Badalianâ~@~Ys brother
    Garnik, who lives in Watertown, on behalf of his family throughout
    the world, thanked the guests, the organizing committee and specially
    the young performers for their involvement in the project.

    The cultural program, hosted by Narini Badalian, Garnikâ~@~Ys grand
    daughter, ignited with Ani Arakelian reciting a poem in Armenian
    followed by the performance of soprano Noune Karapetian who was
    accompanied by Nune Hakobyan, piano and Eddy Gregorian, dhol. Poet
    Zepure Arman read her work specially written for this event and
    prefaced it by saying: Badalian was a man who carried his sense of
    identity with such absoluteness that his identity molded him rather
    than the contrary. Gegham Margarian performed his own work on the
    keyboard followed by Artur Anushavanyan who delighted the audience
    with his folk songs.

    The final speaker of the evening was Ara Sarkissian, a young composer
    and graduate of Boston Conservatory of Music, who spoke of his recent
    journey in Armenia and stressed the critical shortage of quality
    instruments which children need in order to continue their music
    education in the Republic. Turning his attention to the New England
    community, Mr Sarkissian, praised members of Bostonâ~@~Ys Arev Armenian
    Folk Ensemble who have dedicated a great deal of energy in learning
    and performing Armenian folk songs. In particular he mentioned Martin
    Haroutunian, founder and director of the group, who has been a teacher
    and a mentor for many young people interested in learning traditional
    Armenian music. He concluded his remarks by inviting Maestro Petrosian
    to present the first ever Hovanness Badalian Appreciation Award Plaque
    to the members of Arev. Martin Haroutunian accepted the plaque on
    behalf of the group and invited its members whose current roster
    includes Ani Zargarian, vocalist; Tamar Melkonian, vocalist; John
    Kozelian, oud; Vazken Kroshian, M.D., guitar; Marcos Shahbazyan,
    dhol; David Gevorkian, duduk and Martin Haroutunian, duduk to the
    stage for a grand finale performance of the evening.

    HBMF provides merit-based scholarships to children enrolled in Armenian
    music education programs, worldwide. The Fund also provides assistance
    to individuals and organizations that create material and training
    programs for children. Beloved singer Hovanness Badalian played a
    significant role in educating Armenian children and young adults. He
    spread the spirit of the Armenian culture around the world through
    his songs, helping bond the Diaspora and Armenia. His dream was
    ... to hear the Armenian song resonate from every home wherever an
    Armenian lives. The Fund was established in early 2004 to celebrate
    the singerâ~@~Ys life and legacy.

    To learn more about the Fund please call 617 331-0426 or write to HBMF, P O
    Box 733, Watertown, MA 02471 (email: [email protected])

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note to the editor:

    First Annual Banquet of Hovanness Badalian Music Fund brought
    together many talented young people among them poet Zepur Arman
    who made the following remarks and read her poem written specially
    for this event. You may wish to publish this as well. Thank You.
    Tatoul Badalian

    I am overwhelmed with honor that I have a chance to speak of such a
    great man to you today. Hovanness Badalian was a man who carried his
    sense of identity with such absoluteness that his identity molded
    him rather than the contrary. Thus his great art beseeched him and
    his country listened. To have such an infectious passion can only
    inspire us.

    His voice led me to these images.
    Adagio from the east beckons
    Pulled toward the sky surrounding me
    I hang on to each branch offered
    my eyes drift north to the palisades of a colossal past
    rich as the land we're grounded on,
    sound rumbles throughout the fields
    legends live within our tears
    the sable obsidian is dripping within my thoughts
    with a voice of hundreds before me.....
    I anchor my lineage on an abstraction... intangible to the touch
    yet an impetuous pulse finds every branch.
    Holding on
    I am never alone,
    I am never forgotten

    --Boundary_(ID_qfQmfXgJTomHnNMSjr0Mcw)--
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