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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Benefit Concert Brings in $60,000 to Support Youth Programs in Boston
Community
On Saturday, March 31, 2012, the AGBU New England District, with the
generous support of the AGBU New York Special Events Committee (NYSEC),
transformed the prestigious Harvard Club of Boston into an elegant
concert hall for an evening full of classical and traditional Armenian
music. Performances by recipients of the AGBU Performing Arts
Fellowship, who are among the 500 students supported annually by the
organization's Scholarship Program, helped raise close to $60,000, which
will benefit the District's youth initiatives.
The success of the event, which featured the work of composers
Khachaturian, Mendelssohn, and Rachmaninoff, among others, was
celebrated both on and off the stage by its award-winning artists and
distinguished guests. Conductor Aram Demirjian, who led a range of
ensembles with Mezzo-Soprano Solange Merdinian, remarked, "I was honored
to be asked to be involved in my second AGBU Performing Artists Concert.
Those featured on the program are not only some of my favorite artists
to work with, but some of my favorite people to be around in the
profession, and I am proud to be able to call them my colleagues and
friends." Those friends included cellist Ani Kalayjian, violinist Henrik
Karapetyan, marimba soloist Sylvie Zakarian, soprano singer Knarik
Nerkararyan and pianists Karen Hakobyan and Sofya Melikyan.
The alumni's talents attracted both music lovers and public figures
alike, notably Frederic Lefebvre, France's Minister of Trade. Lefebvre
joined AGBU patrons for a post-concert reception, where he discussed the
Republic's commitment to the Armenian community and reaffirmed President
Sarkozy's efforts to criminalize the denial of the Armenian genocide. He
also took the time to meet personally with performers and audience
members.
As the benefit drew to a close, it was clear that it would become a
tradition, soon to be back by popular demand. Concert Committee Chair
Salpie Takadijian noted the overwhelmingly positive response she
received from many of the 150 guests throughout the night, prompting her
to begin planning events of the same caliber. She congratulated the
performers, commenting, "sharing the talents of these young musicians
with the audience was a pleasure, working with them was a privilege and
listening to them was inspiring." District Chair Ara Balikian echoed
those sentiments while noting that with the performance, the District's
new Executive Committee provided an elegant cultural experience for the
New England community. The Committee, formed in fall 2011, is off to an
exciting start, and as Balikian added, "under the new direction of the
AGBU New England District, we are proud to offer events such as this
magnificent concert, along with the variety of functions we are holding
at our Center, to promote and preserve our culture." With proceeds from
the concert, the concept for which was originated by NYSEC, even more
AGBU initiatives will be made possible. In addition to underwriting
programs for youth and university students, the donations will be used
to renovate the Center's facilities, creating a hub of activity for AGBU
volunteers and supporters that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Established in 1908 by Vahan Kurkjian as the first AGBU District in the
United States of America and the third worldwide, the AGBU New England
District operates at its Center, a landmark building located at 247 Mt.
Auburn Street, Watertown, MA. For information on upcoming events and
New England District news, please visit www.newenglandagbu.org or call
617-926-1373.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Benefit Concert Brings in $60,000 to Support Youth Programs in Boston
Community
On Saturday, March 31, 2012, the AGBU New England District, with the
generous support of the AGBU New York Special Events Committee (NYSEC),
transformed the prestigious Harvard Club of Boston into an elegant
concert hall for an evening full of classical and traditional Armenian
music. Performances by recipients of the AGBU Performing Arts
Fellowship, who are among the 500 students supported annually by the
organization's Scholarship Program, helped raise close to $60,000, which
will benefit the District's youth initiatives.
The success of the event, which featured the work of composers
Khachaturian, Mendelssohn, and Rachmaninoff, among others, was
celebrated both on and off the stage by its award-winning artists and
distinguished guests. Conductor Aram Demirjian, who led a range of
ensembles with Mezzo-Soprano Solange Merdinian, remarked, "I was honored
to be asked to be involved in my second AGBU Performing Artists Concert.
Those featured on the program are not only some of my favorite artists
to work with, but some of my favorite people to be around in the
profession, and I am proud to be able to call them my colleagues and
friends." Those friends included cellist Ani Kalayjian, violinist Henrik
Karapetyan, marimba soloist Sylvie Zakarian, soprano singer Knarik
Nerkararyan and pianists Karen Hakobyan and Sofya Melikyan.
The alumni's talents attracted both music lovers and public figures
alike, notably Frederic Lefebvre, France's Minister of Trade. Lefebvre
joined AGBU patrons for a post-concert reception, where he discussed the
Republic's commitment to the Armenian community and reaffirmed President
Sarkozy's efforts to criminalize the denial of the Armenian genocide. He
also took the time to meet personally with performers and audience
members.
As the benefit drew to a close, it was clear that it would become a
tradition, soon to be back by popular demand. Concert Committee Chair
Salpie Takadijian noted the overwhelmingly positive response she
received from many of the 150 guests throughout the night, prompting her
to begin planning events of the same caliber. She congratulated the
performers, commenting, "sharing the talents of these young musicians
with the audience was a pleasure, working with them was a privilege and
listening to them was inspiring." District Chair Ara Balikian echoed
those sentiments while noting that with the performance, the District's
new Executive Committee provided an elegant cultural experience for the
New England community. The Committee, formed in fall 2011, is off to an
exciting start, and as Balikian added, "under the new direction of the
AGBU New England District, we are proud to offer events such as this
magnificent concert, along with the variety of functions we are holding
at our Center, to promote and preserve our culture." With proceeds from
the concert, the concept for which was originated by NYSEC, even more
AGBU initiatives will be made possible. In addition to underwriting
programs for youth and university students, the donations will be used
to renovate the Center's facilities, creating a hub of activity for AGBU
volunteers and supporters that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Established in 1908 by Vahan Kurkjian as the first AGBU District in the
United States of America and the third worldwide, the AGBU New England
District operates at its Center, a landmark building located at 247 Mt.
Auburn Street, Watertown, MA. For information on upcoming events and
New England District news, please visit www.newenglandagbu.org or call
617-926-1373.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.