To: Parish Priests, Parish Council Chairpersons, Choir Chairpersons, Choir Leaders, Organists, Delegates
From: Dr Socrates Boyajian, Chair, Central Council
Date: September 27, 1999
Subject: 53rd ANNUAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA AND CREDENTIAL FORMS
Information concerning the 53rd Annual Choir Assembly is enclosed herewith. The dates are November 4-7, 1999, in Richmond, Virginia, hosted by the St James Armenian Church Choir. The attached agenda for the Choir Assembly outlines the weekend's program. The Delegate's Credential Certificate is a form which will be needed by each representative who wishes to be registered as an official delegate. Please remember that a separate form, duly completed and signed, is required for each delegate.
As a reminder to our choirs, may I refer to Article VII of the Bylaws which states, in effect, that ex-officio delegates to the Annual Assembly are the Parish Priest, the Choir Chairman, the Choir Director, an Organist, a representative of the Altar Servers. Up to three additional delegates may represent a local choir based upon the number of its members (6 to 25 choir members = 1 delegate, 26 to 50 choir members = 2 delegates, 51 or more choir members = 3 delegates). It is hoped that the number of delegates to attend this Assembly will be encouraging for the host choir.
All Choir Assembly activities will take place at the Hyatt Richmond hotel (you will shortly be receiving a separate mailing from the host choir on hotel registration information as well as directions to the hotel).
The Activities Registration Form sent to all choirs by the host committee should be returned to them as soon as possible. This item is scheduled to be mailed by Monday September 20, 1999. Delegates and guests will be accommodated at the Hyatt Richmond hotel, just a few minutes from the church. A special group rate has been negotiated by the assembly committee.
As in the past, the Assembly will begin Thursday evening, November 4th. It is essential that delegates arrive and register on time so as to be ready for the first session which will convene at 8:30am on Friday morning, November 5th, to attend to business matters inherent to the work of the Choir Association. The Central Council report will be available to delegates upon registration and should be reviewed prior to the Friday afternoon session; this will keep the business portions of the Assembly flowing.
Our Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, will preside over the Assembly and will present his message on Saturday morning, November 6th. Traditionally, the main event will be the Assembly Banquet on Saturday evening, at which time the Central Council will present the Gomidas and Yegmalian Awards.
In addition, this will be the first year for a new award: "The Norman Noorjanian Stewardship Award".
This year the Assembly will offer several educational and musical workshops for the edification and benefit of all attendees. The topics are in keeping with the focus of the Choir Association's activities this year: Jerusalem 2000 Pilgrimage. Fr Untzag Nalbanian will be facilitating lectures on the Jerusalem 2000 Pilgrimage (in between Choir Assembly business sessions) the mornings of Friday November 5th and Saturday November 6th. Maestro Khoren Meikhanedjian will be presenting workshops on the music that will be sung by choir members who will be participating in the Jerusalem 2000 Pilgrimage, on the afternoons of Friday November 5th and Saturday November 6th (this will also be done in between Choir Assembly business sessions).
Additionally, our rehearsal for Holy Badarak will also take place on Saturday afternoon, conducted by Maestro Khoren Meikhanedjian. It is important that all participants be present for this rehearsal if they plan to sing in the choir on Sunday morning. Delegates should bring with them their copy of the revised edition of the Sacred Music of the Armenian Church. Those who do not yet have copies may call Dr Socrates Boyajian at 301-588-4607 to have them shipped immediately. Please remember also to bring your choir robes and veils.
As mentioned in a previous bulletin, the Assembly will receive bids from choirs that are interested in hosting a future Assembly, 2000 and beyond. Therefore, please come prepared with a letter of invitation from you Parish Priest and Choir Chairperson if interested.
Last minute reminders . . . send in your choir's annual report plus up-to-date mailing list as well as your choir's plate collection. The Central Council relies on the contents of the annual reports for the information needed to assess the condition of our Association.
We look forward to seeing you at the Assembly!
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