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ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY ENDS SCHOOL YEAR WITH HANTES
Main Line
http://mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2010/08/03/main_line_suburban_life/life/doc4c587da85a7f9331964548.txt
Aug 3 2010
PA
Costume fittings, check. Dress rehearsals, check. Everyone in their
places, check. The big day had arrived - the 43rd annual closing hantes
(pageant) of the Armenian Sisters Academy of Radnor.
Months of practice under the guidance and tutelage of teachers Therese
Sajonian and Fran Torcomian and volunteer parents Lauren Yeremian
and Karine Shamlian paid off in a beautiful performance. Exquisite
costumes were handmade by Ovsanna Sadjonian and the day would not be
possible without the piano accompaniment of Maroush Paneyan-Nigon.
Working together with students they created yet another spectacular
performance.
Although this bilingual program has a long history, it's the vitality
of every student that makes each show unique. Graduating students
Jason Sadek and Carine Megerian welcomed the audience to one of the
Academy's favorite traditions and summed it up well: "Hantes is a
celebration of the Academy family as we share our Armenian pride in
song and dance," they said.
The Montessori students opened the program and charmed all by singing
their rendition of "Hapchoo" (Achoo), followed by the youngest students
wiggling and twirling their way through "Six Little Ducks," costumed
in yellow with bills on their heads.
The Academy family lost a member recently with the passing of Dorothy
Sookiasian, 30-year secretary of the school, who loved the children
dearly. In a tribute to her, the Montessori students sang a song that
she wrote titled "Such a Lovely Day."
Well-known "Hagop Yeghpayr" ("Frère Jacques") was enacted as the
young boys, attired in monk costumes, sang in not one, not two, but
three languages! The children chorused hello in many languages in a
song appropriately called "A Song for Children," and the young girls
kicked, twirled their beads and wowed the audience with a Charleston!
All together again, the Montessori students sang "Dzaghgir Ararad" loud
and clear in Armenian, expressing their wish that Armenia's beloved
Mount Ararat always be in bloom. The Academy's kindergarten students
wrapped up their portion of the performance with the traditional
"Miserlou" dance. (The song that Dick Dale, the Surfaris and "Pulp
Fiction" made world-famous.) The girls danced in daintily with the
boys following stoically behind. Their bright costumes, arm sways
and circle dancing entertained all.
A spectacular opening number involved all the costumed
first-eighth-grade students clapping their way in from the back of the
auditorium. Arms were swaying and feet were tapping - on stage and in
the audience - to the beat of "Haykakanutyun." Children were leaping in
the aisles, groups circled in the front and first-grade boys sat on the
shoulders of the eighth-grade boys. Now that got the audience excited!
The enthusiasm continued with the upbeat tempo of "Menk Enk Mer
Sarer" as the lower primary (first-grade) students shouting out an
enthusiastic "Hayastan!" (Armenia!) at the start of their dance.
Guests were tapping their toes as students tapped theirs on stage.
With the girls in pink tulle and boys in maroon velvet vests, their
energy was contagious.
"Sheeragee" featured the middle-primary (second-grade) students and
began with the girls center stage in green costumes with matching
headpieces and veils. Together they spun, swung arms and circled the
stage. In ran the boys strong and powerful as they circled the girls,
then bent on one knee as the girls danced around them. A triumphant
ending brought smiles on the students' faces and loud applause from
the crowd.
Costumed in Armenia's colors with yerakooyn sashes and sequined
necklines, the upper-primary (third-grade) students danced "Kina
Kina." The audience clapped along with the familiar melody as the girls
raised their arms in tribute to their country. Side, kicks, circle
kicks, squat kicks and star kicks were the highlight of this dance.
All primary classes (first-fourth grades) assembled on stage for
"Polly Wolly Doodle," sung in harmony. "Partsrig Hayasdan" was their
last number with many voices rising as one in this traditional song.
Every Armenian knows the traditional "Yaman Yar," and this version,
performed by the middle- and upper-intermediate (fifth- and
sixth-grade) girls, was exquisite. Outfitted in cream costumes,
headdresses and veils, with arms raised and circling in unison,
they brought this graceful dance to life.
Lower intermediate (fourth-grade) students took the stage next. With
flowers in their hair and in their hands and colorful aprons on the
girls and vests on the boys, they performed "Kazachok," a traditional
Russian song. The upbeat tempo got the audience clapping again until
the last note, which found the students arm in arm.
The high-energy "Sabre Dance" by Khatchadourian (well known from comic
chases in films) featured the middle- and upper-intermediate (fifth-
and sixth-grade) boys. Sixth-grade student Celine Arabatlian danced
in and among their swords representing the eternal Armenian flame.
All junior-level (seventh- and eighth-grade) students participated in
"Avarayr." Girls were costumed in fuschia, black and gold, while the
boys sported black and gold. Once again the audience clapped along
with this energetic number full of tunnels, side kicks, circling and
leaping. During a slower moment, the older children paused in an arc
as first-grade students Ani Avesian and Xavier Yeremian walked in
carrying the yerakooyn. It was Armenian pride at its best.
The intermediate and junior levels (fourth-eighth-grade) students
came together to sing "Hoy im Nazani Yarus."
Kindergarten students Elyse Terzian and Karis Whitcomb presented
principal Sister V. Louisa Kassarjian with flowers thanking her for
all the love and care she gives the students. Sister accepted the
flowers to a standing ovation. She, in turn, promised to place the
flowers on the altar in tribute to all those who helped make this day
possible. "This year's theme of listen, love, learn and lead holds
a powerful message that guides us at the Academy. I'd also like to
thank the students for their superb performance," she said.
All students, families and guests were invited back to the Academy
grounds to enjoy a traditional Armenian picnic. Many thanks to Academy
parents and picnic co-chairmen Kurt Ajdaharian and Bill Arthin and
their committee for coordinating a delicious finale to a wonderful
afternoon.
Thank you to the Academy students for their concentration and
hard work learning their parts, and their instructors for their
never-ending patience. It all came together for an extraordinary
performance. ASA encourages anyone in the area to attend next year's
performance set for June 12, 2011. Hantes is well worth the trip -
you won't be disappointed!
ASA serves the entire Armenian community in greater Philadelphia so
it includes many Armenian Apostolic as well as Catholic families,
and all ethnic groups interested in Armenian culture as well as an
education are welcome. Go to asaphila.org.
Armenia is the world's oldest Christian country, since 303.
From: A. Papazian
Main Line
http://mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2010/08/03/main_line_suburban_life/life/doc4c587da85a7f9331964548.txt
Aug 3 2010
PA
Costume fittings, check. Dress rehearsals, check. Everyone in their
places, check. The big day had arrived - the 43rd annual closing hantes
(pageant) of the Armenian Sisters Academy of Radnor.
Months of practice under the guidance and tutelage of teachers Therese
Sajonian and Fran Torcomian and volunteer parents Lauren Yeremian
and Karine Shamlian paid off in a beautiful performance. Exquisite
costumes were handmade by Ovsanna Sadjonian and the day would not be
possible without the piano accompaniment of Maroush Paneyan-Nigon.
Working together with students they created yet another spectacular
performance.
Although this bilingual program has a long history, it's the vitality
of every student that makes each show unique. Graduating students
Jason Sadek and Carine Megerian welcomed the audience to one of the
Academy's favorite traditions and summed it up well: "Hantes is a
celebration of the Academy family as we share our Armenian pride in
song and dance," they said.
The Montessori students opened the program and charmed all by singing
their rendition of "Hapchoo" (Achoo), followed by the youngest students
wiggling and twirling their way through "Six Little Ducks," costumed
in yellow with bills on their heads.
The Academy family lost a member recently with the passing of Dorothy
Sookiasian, 30-year secretary of the school, who loved the children
dearly. In a tribute to her, the Montessori students sang a song that
she wrote titled "Such a Lovely Day."
Well-known "Hagop Yeghpayr" ("Frère Jacques") was enacted as the
young boys, attired in monk costumes, sang in not one, not two, but
three languages! The children chorused hello in many languages in a
song appropriately called "A Song for Children," and the young girls
kicked, twirled their beads and wowed the audience with a Charleston!
All together again, the Montessori students sang "Dzaghgir Ararad" loud
and clear in Armenian, expressing their wish that Armenia's beloved
Mount Ararat always be in bloom. The Academy's kindergarten students
wrapped up their portion of the performance with the traditional
"Miserlou" dance. (The song that Dick Dale, the Surfaris and "Pulp
Fiction" made world-famous.) The girls danced in daintily with the
boys following stoically behind. Their bright costumes, arm sways
and circle dancing entertained all.
A spectacular opening number involved all the costumed
first-eighth-grade students clapping their way in from the back of the
auditorium. Arms were swaying and feet were tapping - on stage and in
the audience - to the beat of "Haykakanutyun." Children were leaping in
the aisles, groups circled in the front and first-grade boys sat on the
shoulders of the eighth-grade boys. Now that got the audience excited!
The enthusiasm continued with the upbeat tempo of "Menk Enk Mer
Sarer" as the lower primary (first-grade) students shouting out an
enthusiastic "Hayastan!" (Armenia!) at the start of their dance.
Guests were tapping their toes as students tapped theirs on stage.
With the girls in pink tulle and boys in maroon velvet vests, their
energy was contagious.
"Sheeragee" featured the middle-primary (second-grade) students and
began with the girls center stage in green costumes with matching
headpieces and veils. Together they spun, swung arms and circled the
stage. In ran the boys strong and powerful as they circled the girls,
then bent on one knee as the girls danced around them. A triumphant
ending brought smiles on the students' faces and loud applause from
the crowd.
Costumed in Armenia's colors with yerakooyn sashes and sequined
necklines, the upper-primary (third-grade) students danced "Kina
Kina." The audience clapped along with the familiar melody as the girls
raised their arms in tribute to their country. Side, kicks, circle
kicks, squat kicks and star kicks were the highlight of this dance.
All primary classes (first-fourth grades) assembled on stage for
"Polly Wolly Doodle," sung in harmony. "Partsrig Hayasdan" was their
last number with many voices rising as one in this traditional song.
Every Armenian knows the traditional "Yaman Yar," and this version,
performed by the middle- and upper-intermediate (fifth- and
sixth-grade) girls, was exquisite. Outfitted in cream costumes,
headdresses and veils, with arms raised and circling in unison,
they brought this graceful dance to life.
Lower intermediate (fourth-grade) students took the stage next. With
flowers in their hair and in their hands and colorful aprons on the
girls and vests on the boys, they performed "Kazachok," a traditional
Russian song. The upbeat tempo got the audience clapping again until
the last note, which found the students arm in arm.
The high-energy "Sabre Dance" by Khatchadourian (well known from comic
chases in films) featured the middle- and upper-intermediate (fifth-
and sixth-grade) boys. Sixth-grade student Celine Arabatlian danced
in and among their swords representing the eternal Armenian flame.
All junior-level (seventh- and eighth-grade) students participated in
"Avarayr." Girls were costumed in fuschia, black and gold, while the
boys sported black and gold. Once again the audience clapped along
with this energetic number full of tunnels, side kicks, circling and
leaping. During a slower moment, the older children paused in an arc
as first-grade students Ani Avesian and Xavier Yeremian walked in
carrying the yerakooyn. It was Armenian pride at its best.
The intermediate and junior levels (fourth-eighth-grade) students
came together to sing "Hoy im Nazani Yarus."
Kindergarten students Elyse Terzian and Karis Whitcomb presented
principal Sister V. Louisa Kassarjian with flowers thanking her for
all the love and care she gives the students. Sister accepted the
flowers to a standing ovation. She, in turn, promised to place the
flowers on the altar in tribute to all those who helped make this day
possible. "This year's theme of listen, love, learn and lead holds
a powerful message that guides us at the Academy. I'd also like to
thank the students for their superb performance," she said.
All students, families and guests were invited back to the Academy
grounds to enjoy a traditional Armenian picnic. Many thanks to Academy
parents and picnic co-chairmen Kurt Ajdaharian and Bill Arthin and
their committee for coordinating a delicious finale to a wonderful
afternoon.
Thank you to the Academy students for their concentration and
hard work learning their parts, and their instructors for their
never-ending patience. It all came together for an extraordinary
performance. ASA encourages anyone in the area to attend next year's
performance set for June 12, 2011. Hantes is well worth the trip -
you won't be disappointed!
ASA serves the entire Armenian community in greater Philadelphia so
it includes many Armenian Apostolic as well as Catholic families,
and all ethnic groups interested in Armenian culture as well as an
education are welcome. Go to asaphila.org.
Armenia is the world's oldest Christian country, since 303.
From: A. Papazian