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PRESS RELEASE
NAREK Bell Choir of St. Mary Armenian Church
4125 Fessenden street, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Contact: Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian
Tel: 202-363-1923
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.narekbells.com
Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary Ends a Historic and Triumphant Tour of Concerts
Washington, DC To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the founding of
St. Mary's Narek Bell Choir, the Hokatar Parents' Committee with the
blessings of the pastor and the Parish Council organized a concert
tour, which included several concerts in Vienna, Austria and
Armenia. The grand tour could only be described as truly historic and
triumphant by all means.
First, a daylong stopover in Vienna, Austria gave us the opportunity
to plan a concert at the Diocese of Vienna. The reception committee
gave a warm welcome by providing transportation from the airport to
the St. Hripsime Armenian Church in Vienna. Their hospitality and the
tour of the city will remain a memorable experience. In the late
afternoon a sizeable group of Vienna Armenians responded to the
invitation of Mr. Poghos Guiragossian, Parish Council and Hayr Avetis,
the Assistant of the Primate: it was a most responsive and
appreciative audience for which a musical performance by a Bell Choir
with almost exclusively Armenian sacred and spiritual music from Holy
Badarak and Sharagans was an entirely new experience. After concert
reception at the community center allowed the group to get to know the
parishioners and receive their congratulations for the excellent
performance. Maestro Leon Khoja-Eynatyan expressed the group's
sentiments when he said: "Even though this was o! ur first encounter
with the leadership and the parishioners of St. Hripsime, we felt at
home and among family members. They were really an enthusiastic
audience." The committee took the group back to the airport to
continue the trip to Yerevan.
After a day's rest in Yerevan our host for the first concert was His
Grace Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical
Diocese; and Mr. Tigran Sargsyan, President of the National Bank of
Armenia and the Chairman of the Araratian Pontifical Diocesan Council.
Because of the untimely the tragic death of the Vicar of
Gegharkouniatz Diocese, the Very Rev. Fr. Derenik Davidian, the event
was transformed into a memorial concert. The mass media was present
for TV and press coverage. Several TV stations and newspapers gave
extensive coverage to the heartfelt comments of His Grace Bishop
Navasard, to the press conferences with the Artistic Director Maestro
Leon Khoja-Eynatyan and the Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian.
Throughout the week that followed, TV viewers of Yerevan and readers
of the newspapers were made aware of this new phenomenon, i.e. Narek
Bell Choir of St. Mary from Washington, DC..
With prior coordination with Mrs. Silva Mekinyan, a former Deputy
Minister of Culture and a dynamic organizer and impresario of young
and talented "New Names" of Armenia, several billboards throughout the
city had already announced the upcoming performances.
On July 25 for an unscheduled concert we boarded on a van to visit the
house-museum of renowned composer the late Avet Terterian with his
wife Irina Tigranova as our gracious hostess. This event, as we were
informed, was part of an annual observance of the late composer's
birthday. In addition to the Bell Choir's performance there was a
breathtaking performance of "Collections" from Bizet's Carmen on
saxophone by Airapet Arakelian accompanied by his own mother. We
learned that he was invited to Germany on a scholarship to continue
his education and training. The group then was taken to Noraduz to
visit a historic cemetery, a forest of exquisite Khatchkars memorial
monuments, before ending the day enjoying ishkhan on the sunny shore
of Lake Sevan.
On July 30, through the prior arrangements by Mrs. Rita Balian,
Founder-President of the Armenian-American Wellness Center in Armenia
and its Co-President in Armenia, the dynamic member of the Armenian
Parliament Dr. Hranush Hakobian, a concert was held at the prestigious
Arno Babajanian Concert Hall. The hall was jam-packed with standing
room only. Present were a large group of servicemen in training with
their chaplain. The guest of honor of the day was the charming wife of
the Prime-Minister Mrs. Susanna Margarian with other dignitaries
including representatives from the US Embassy in Armenia. The media
coverage was again extensive and excellent. "The entire concept of the
handbell, the techniques and the players collectively forming an
ensemble, was entirely new to the people, a new "art-form" which
caused a lot of excitement and enthusiasm" said one of the young
bell-ringers Armine Sanamyan.
The Honorable Hransuh Hakobian had generous words of praise for the
performance as she acknowledged and welcomed "our Mrs. Prime Minister"
as she, the wife of the Prime Minister, presented the group with an
artistically arranged bouquet of flowers.
"Veni, vidi, vici", declared Fr. Kalayjian swept by the response of
the enthusiastic and appreciative audience.
The media coverage was again extensive and excellent.
Among the newspapers Yeter, Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Aravot, Iravoonq
and the Diocesan weekly Shoghakat had glowing reviews of the concerts
which Tatevik Khoja-Eynatyan characterized as "the opportunity to
serve my homeland and give back to Armenia" as a token cultural
contribution. As a native Armenian, she added: "It was a great feeling
to know that our hard work in our new community [i.e. Washington, DC]
was greatly appreciated back home."
On August 8 the group was invited to the Gavar University in the
Gegharkounik region and the concert was hosted by the Honorable
Dr. Hranush Hakobian and the Marzpet (Governor)| of the region the
Honorable Stepan Barseghyan. The occasion was a special treat to the
children from a nearby orphanage who were brought in to enjoy the
concert at the theatre named after Levon Kalantar.
The highlight of the tour was the concert given at the Komitas Chamber
Music Hall of Yerevan. With the cooperation of Mrs. Silva Mekinian and
prior advertisements and invitations, the standing room only
jam-packed audience enjoyed not only the full repertoire of the Narek
Bell Choir, but also Sargis Davtian's duduk and Airapet Arakelian's
saxophone performances. With a special invitation and to satisfy those
who could not attend the prior concerts, Narekatsi Art Institute (the
Yerevan affiliate of the New York based Young artistic center) had
organized one last concert with many journalists and TV reporters
giving the event a wider coverage.
One of the intended results of these tours and concerts was to spark
enough interest among local groups of the youth and music lovers in
general. Such a group was formed under the auspices of the Youth
Association of the Araratian Diocese with Lucine Sargsyan as the
Director. A set of chimes was donated to the group by the Narek Bell
Choir. The amazing and unexpected result was that this newly formed
group, in a short period of introduction and rehearsals, joined the
Bell Choir in performance at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall, as well
as at the Narekatsi Art Institute, sharing the applause of the
enthusiastic audiences. Liana Parakesikova had this to say: "It was
really great to go to Armenia and give concerts over there and
demonstrate to our people that the Armenians who have left their
country still remember and care about her. And when we blossom we take
our beautiful flowers of achievements to Armenia and present them as a
token of our gifts."
The last and spiritually uplifting event was the visit to Holy
Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Vehapar Karekin II received the group led by
Yeretzgin Anahid Kalayjian and the Assistant Director of Narek Bell
Choir Ervand Kristosturyan and the new Choir director Lucine Sargsyan
accompanying. Even though almost half of the group had already left
Armenia, His Holiness received the reports of the activities with
great interest and blessed the Bell Choirs of both Yerevan and
Washington as he accepted the CD of the Narek Bell Choir as their
gift. "I could not imagine a trip this successful, - said Tatevik
Mikayelyan, a member of the Bell Choir, - Armenia is truly the place
where one cannot go without a spiritual awakening and renewed with
encouragement. What better place to play the heavenly Armenian tunes
than in our homeland, on our own Armenian soil. Each smile that we
received from our audience, each person whose eyes lit up from the
fragile sounds of the bells, warmed my heart for! years to come, for
I knew their reaction couldn't be anything but sincere," - she
concluded.
While in Yerevan, the Artistic Director Maestro Leon Khoja-Eynatyan
used the opportunity and led the group to do a new CD recording which
soon will be issued under the title "Yeghitsi Looys", featuring songs
and sharagans from Seven versions of Armenian Patarags by Komitas,
Yekmalian, Bianchini, Apcar Chilinkirian, Manas and Khorenian
(Mekanejian). The experience must have been demanding and
grueling. This is what Vahan Kristosturyan had to say: "Even though
some group members got sick, we were able to pull off a lot of work at
the recordings. Many things brought the Narek Bell Choir members
together, we started to play better and better after each concert and
at the recording session at Ardini Studio. I specially liked the fact
that we planted a new Bell Choir group in the Homeland."
Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary has made a commitment to support the
newly formed group in Armenia by supplying them with new instruments
and accessories and by providing financial help. To obtain your CD's
and/or extend your financial help to accomplish these goals, you may
visit us at our website: www.narekbells.com or call 202-363-1923. In
Yerevan the CD is available for sale only at Oscar Music Store in the
Marriott Armenia Hotel.
* * *
After notable performances at the White House, Library of Congress,
the National Shrine, the National Cathedral, New York Central Park and
St. Vartan Cathedral, this group tour of the Bell Choir in Austria and
Armenia will indeed remain the most historic and triumphant
achievement of the group. We congratulate both the artistic director
and the members of the Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary. We are sure we
will hear and read about them more in the years to come. (Applause!)
NAREK Bell Choir of St. Mary Armenian Church
4125 Fessenden street, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Contact: Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian
Tel: 202-363-1923
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.narekbells.com
Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary Ends a Historic and Triumphant Tour of Concerts
Washington, DC To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the founding of
St. Mary's Narek Bell Choir, the Hokatar Parents' Committee with the
blessings of the pastor and the Parish Council organized a concert
tour, which included several concerts in Vienna, Austria and
Armenia. The grand tour could only be described as truly historic and
triumphant by all means.
First, a daylong stopover in Vienna, Austria gave us the opportunity
to plan a concert at the Diocese of Vienna. The reception committee
gave a warm welcome by providing transportation from the airport to
the St. Hripsime Armenian Church in Vienna. Their hospitality and the
tour of the city will remain a memorable experience. In the late
afternoon a sizeable group of Vienna Armenians responded to the
invitation of Mr. Poghos Guiragossian, Parish Council and Hayr Avetis,
the Assistant of the Primate: it was a most responsive and
appreciative audience for which a musical performance by a Bell Choir
with almost exclusively Armenian sacred and spiritual music from Holy
Badarak and Sharagans was an entirely new experience. After concert
reception at the community center allowed the group to get to know the
parishioners and receive their congratulations for the excellent
performance. Maestro Leon Khoja-Eynatyan expressed the group's
sentiments when he said: "Even though this was o! ur first encounter
with the leadership and the parishioners of St. Hripsime, we felt at
home and among family members. They were really an enthusiastic
audience." The committee took the group back to the airport to
continue the trip to Yerevan.
After a day's rest in Yerevan our host for the first concert was His
Grace Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical
Diocese; and Mr. Tigran Sargsyan, President of the National Bank of
Armenia and the Chairman of the Araratian Pontifical Diocesan Council.
Because of the untimely the tragic death of the Vicar of
Gegharkouniatz Diocese, the Very Rev. Fr. Derenik Davidian, the event
was transformed into a memorial concert. The mass media was present
for TV and press coverage. Several TV stations and newspapers gave
extensive coverage to the heartfelt comments of His Grace Bishop
Navasard, to the press conferences with the Artistic Director Maestro
Leon Khoja-Eynatyan and the Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian.
Throughout the week that followed, TV viewers of Yerevan and readers
of the newspapers were made aware of this new phenomenon, i.e. Narek
Bell Choir of St. Mary from Washington, DC..
With prior coordination with Mrs. Silva Mekinyan, a former Deputy
Minister of Culture and a dynamic organizer and impresario of young
and talented "New Names" of Armenia, several billboards throughout the
city had already announced the upcoming performances.
On July 25 for an unscheduled concert we boarded on a van to visit the
house-museum of renowned composer the late Avet Terterian with his
wife Irina Tigranova as our gracious hostess. This event, as we were
informed, was part of an annual observance of the late composer's
birthday. In addition to the Bell Choir's performance there was a
breathtaking performance of "Collections" from Bizet's Carmen on
saxophone by Airapet Arakelian accompanied by his own mother. We
learned that he was invited to Germany on a scholarship to continue
his education and training. The group then was taken to Noraduz to
visit a historic cemetery, a forest of exquisite Khatchkars memorial
monuments, before ending the day enjoying ishkhan on the sunny shore
of Lake Sevan.
On July 30, through the prior arrangements by Mrs. Rita Balian,
Founder-President of the Armenian-American Wellness Center in Armenia
and its Co-President in Armenia, the dynamic member of the Armenian
Parliament Dr. Hranush Hakobian, a concert was held at the prestigious
Arno Babajanian Concert Hall. The hall was jam-packed with standing
room only. Present were a large group of servicemen in training with
their chaplain. The guest of honor of the day was the charming wife of
the Prime-Minister Mrs. Susanna Margarian with other dignitaries
including representatives from the US Embassy in Armenia. The media
coverage was again extensive and excellent. "The entire concept of the
handbell, the techniques and the players collectively forming an
ensemble, was entirely new to the people, a new "art-form" which
caused a lot of excitement and enthusiasm" said one of the young
bell-ringers Armine Sanamyan.
The Honorable Hransuh Hakobian had generous words of praise for the
performance as she acknowledged and welcomed "our Mrs. Prime Minister"
as she, the wife of the Prime Minister, presented the group with an
artistically arranged bouquet of flowers.
"Veni, vidi, vici", declared Fr. Kalayjian swept by the response of
the enthusiastic and appreciative audience.
The media coverage was again extensive and excellent.
Among the newspapers Yeter, Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Aravot, Iravoonq
and the Diocesan weekly Shoghakat had glowing reviews of the concerts
which Tatevik Khoja-Eynatyan characterized as "the opportunity to
serve my homeland and give back to Armenia" as a token cultural
contribution. As a native Armenian, she added: "It was a great feeling
to know that our hard work in our new community [i.e. Washington, DC]
was greatly appreciated back home."
On August 8 the group was invited to the Gavar University in the
Gegharkounik region and the concert was hosted by the Honorable
Dr. Hranush Hakobian and the Marzpet (Governor)| of the region the
Honorable Stepan Barseghyan. The occasion was a special treat to the
children from a nearby orphanage who were brought in to enjoy the
concert at the theatre named after Levon Kalantar.
The highlight of the tour was the concert given at the Komitas Chamber
Music Hall of Yerevan. With the cooperation of Mrs. Silva Mekinian and
prior advertisements and invitations, the standing room only
jam-packed audience enjoyed not only the full repertoire of the Narek
Bell Choir, but also Sargis Davtian's duduk and Airapet Arakelian's
saxophone performances. With a special invitation and to satisfy those
who could not attend the prior concerts, Narekatsi Art Institute (the
Yerevan affiliate of the New York based Young artistic center) had
organized one last concert with many journalists and TV reporters
giving the event a wider coverage.
One of the intended results of these tours and concerts was to spark
enough interest among local groups of the youth and music lovers in
general. Such a group was formed under the auspices of the Youth
Association of the Araratian Diocese with Lucine Sargsyan as the
Director. A set of chimes was donated to the group by the Narek Bell
Choir. The amazing and unexpected result was that this newly formed
group, in a short period of introduction and rehearsals, joined the
Bell Choir in performance at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall, as well
as at the Narekatsi Art Institute, sharing the applause of the
enthusiastic audiences. Liana Parakesikova had this to say: "It was
really great to go to Armenia and give concerts over there and
demonstrate to our people that the Armenians who have left their
country still remember and care about her. And when we blossom we take
our beautiful flowers of achievements to Armenia and present them as a
token of our gifts."
The last and spiritually uplifting event was the visit to Holy
Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Vehapar Karekin II received the group led by
Yeretzgin Anahid Kalayjian and the Assistant Director of Narek Bell
Choir Ervand Kristosturyan and the new Choir director Lucine Sargsyan
accompanying. Even though almost half of the group had already left
Armenia, His Holiness received the reports of the activities with
great interest and blessed the Bell Choirs of both Yerevan and
Washington as he accepted the CD of the Narek Bell Choir as their
gift. "I could not imagine a trip this successful, - said Tatevik
Mikayelyan, a member of the Bell Choir, - Armenia is truly the place
where one cannot go without a spiritual awakening and renewed with
encouragement. What better place to play the heavenly Armenian tunes
than in our homeland, on our own Armenian soil. Each smile that we
received from our audience, each person whose eyes lit up from the
fragile sounds of the bells, warmed my heart for! years to come, for
I knew their reaction couldn't be anything but sincere," - she
concluded.
While in Yerevan, the Artistic Director Maestro Leon Khoja-Eynatyan
used the opportunity and led the group to do a new CD recording which
soon will be issued under the title "Yeghitsi Looys", featuring songs
and sharagans from Seven versions of Armenian Patarags by Komitas,
Yekmalian, Bianchini, Apcar Chilinkirian, Manas and Khorenian
(Mekanejian). The experience must have been demanding and
grueling. This is what Vahan Kristosturyan had to say: "Even though
some group members got sick, we were able to pull off a lot of work at
the recordings. Many things brought the Narek Bell Choir members
together, we started to play better and better after each concert and
at the recording session at Ardini Studio. I specially liked the fact
that we planted a new Bell Choir group in the Homeland."
Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary has made a commitment to support the
newly formed group in Armenia by supplying them with new instruments
and accessories and by providing financial help. To obtain your CD's
and/or extend your financial help to accomplish these goals, you may
visit us at our website: www.narekbells.com or call 202-363-1923. In
Yerevan the CD is available for sale only at Oscar Music Store in the
Marriott Armenia Hotel.
* * *
After notable performances at the White House, Library of Congress,
the National Shrine, the National Cathedral, New York Central Park and
St. Vartan Cathedral, this group tour of the Bell Choir in Austria and
Armenia will indeed remain the most historic and triumphant
achievement of the group. We congratulate both the artistic director
and the members of the Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary. We are sure we
will hear and read about them more in the years to come. (Applause!)