THEME OF THE CHOIR ASSOCIATION ASSEMBLY IN RICHMOND, VA: JERUSALEM 2000
Members of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America met in Richmond, VA over the weekend of November 5-7, 1999, at their 53rd Annual Assembly, to discuss future plans of the Association and to continue the study of music for the Jerusalem 2000 Pilgrimage.
The Rev. Fr Untzag Nalbandian, Director of Programs for the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, representing His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese, presided over the events of the Assembly. The Rev. Fr Nersess Jebejian, Pastor of St Sarkis Armenian Church of Dallas, Tx, served as Chairman and Dr Stepan Nazarian of St Kevork Armenian Church of Houston, Tx, was Secretary for the Assembly proceedings. All events took place at the Hyatt Hotel in Richmond, with the exception of the Sunday Divine Liturgy and luncheon, which were held at the St James Armenian Church of that city.
Each day's session was devoted to some of the Association's business at hand, including reports, elections and approvals of the budget for the year 2000. Fr Nalbandian addressed the Assembly on behalf of the Primate, who could not be present because he was in Armenia at the enthronement of the newly elected Catholicos, His Holiness Karekin II. Additionally, the Central Council showcased its activities and events - especialy its website, maintained through the efforts of Dr Socrates Boyajian which everyone is encouraged to visit at:
www.erols.com/sograd/aacca
The main focus was on the workshops in keeping with the theme of Jerusalem 2000. An educational lecture on Armenian Jerusalem was given by Dr Abraham Terian, Academic Dean of St Nersess Seminary, while music instruction was directed by Maestro Khoren Meikhanedjian on the programs to be offered by the Pilgrimage Choir in Jerusalem.
A decision was made to go forward with Junior Choir programs in our parishes, a project vitally needed to supplement the present-day situations of the senior choirs. In addition, the newly published Khorenian setting of the Divine Liturgy was announced and made available to the delegates for their choirs. The presence of the composer provided an opportunity for attendees to have an authographed copy of the new publication.
The social events of the weekend were welcomed as occasions for choir members and altar servers to renew old friendships and make new ones. At the Assembly Banquet, the coveted Gomidas Vartabed Award was given to the Holy Trinity Armenian Church Choir of Cambridge, MA, whose chairperson Gregory Krikorian accepted for his choir. Honorable Mentions went to the Holy Martyrs Church Choir of Bayside, NY, the St Thomas Church Choir of Tenafly, NJ, and the St John Church Choir of Southfield, MI. The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, New Britain, CT, represented by Adrienne Damian, received the Yegmalian Award for excellence in their altar server program.
The Central Council's Certificate of Achievement was presented to David H. Livingstone, chair of the St James Choir of Richmond and of the 53rd Annual Assembly Committee, for his outstanding service to the AACCA during 1999. Although not of Armenian blood, Mr Livingstone and his wife Emma have become lifelong Armenophiles, a quality acquired years ago through their past association with Armenian friends. They have visited the Armenian homeland and serve the St James Armenian Church of Richmond with devotion. They must be credited with the success of the 53rd Annual Choir Assembly, along with a committee including Elizabeth Tootelian for the souvenir booklet and Janet Ozbalik as treasurer. Other Richmondites who helped in various ways were Sirvart Zurnacian, Joyce Soghoyan, Donna Walker, Ann Norris, Nubar Ozbalik, as well as Parish Council Chairman John Baronian and former paster of St James, Very Rev. Fr Nareg Berberian.
On Sunday morning, a combined choir sang the hymns of the Divine Liturgy under the direction of Maestro Meikhanedjian. The celebrant and preacher was the Rev. Fr Untzag Nalbandian, with Dr Stepan Nazarian serving as deacon and Louise Yardumian as organist. The theme of Fr Nalbandian's homily in English and Armenian was on Jerusalem 2000.
As a result of elections which took place during the final session of the Assembly, Arpie Kouzouian was re-elected and Gregory Krikorian was elected to the Central Council for three year terms. Together with the remaining members, the Central Council held it internal elections at the conclusion of the Assembly; the following are the officers of the Central Council for 1999-2000: Chair, Dr. Socrates Boyajian; Vice-Chair, Arpie Kouzouian; Treasurer, Allan Tossoonian; Recording Secretary, Gregory Krikorian; Corresponding Secretary, Yn. Roberta Kochakian; Advisor, Louise YardumianYn. Roberta Kochakian. Special Projects Advisor, Mary Selvinazian.