To: Parish Priests, Parish Council Chairs, Choir Directors, Organists
From: Dn. Gregory Krikorian, Chair, AACCA Central Council
Subject: Junior Choir Leadership Development Program at the Ararat Center
Date: September 7, 2004
NEWS RELEASE
Almost a year in the planning stages, the Junior Choir Leadership Development Program of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America, became a reality at the newly-acquired Ararat Youth and Conference Center in Greenville, NY, the week of August 3 to 8, 2004. The pristine setting of the Catskill Mountains provided the backdrop for an intensive four days of learning for twelve young people, ages 14 through 19, from ten parishes of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church. They were Erika Belezarian from St. Mark, Springfield, MA; Alyne Corrigan and Taleen Terjanian from St. Stepanos, Elberon, NJ; Gregory Dalakian from St. Mary, Livingston, NJ; Tamar Derderian from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, Wynnewood, PA; Elise Durgarian from Holy Translators, Framingham, MA; Harry Lang and Sarah Malconian from Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA; Tamara Martirosyan from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, Providence, RI; Ani Nalbandian from Holy Ascension, Trumbull, CT; Katherine N. from St. James, Richmond, VA; and Dziadzan Sahagian from St. James, Watertown, MA. Each participant's parish contributed a sum toward the expenses of the conference at the Ararat Center; the balance was picked up by the AACCA Central Council, who received substantial contributions from generous donors to help fund this worthy cause.
The AACCA's prime purpose in organizing this program was to train qualified leaders for future service as choir leaders in the Armenian Church. The participants were members of their parish choirs, serving as singers, organists, altar servers, and came recommended by their parish priests as worthy candidates. Dr. Socrates Boyajian of the AACCA Central Council spearheaded the JCLDP and served as its coordinator. Assisting Dr. Boyajian in this endeavor were other Council members Deacon Gregory Krikorian, Chairman, Arpie Kouzouian, Vice Chairman, Mary Selvinazian, Treasurer, and Anoush Givelekian, Advisor, who spent the week at the Ararat Center to ensure the smooth functioning of the program. Former Central Council member Anna Garabedian of Springfield, MA, also lent her assistance to the Central Council.
The participants arrived at the Ararat Center on Tuesday evening and were greeted by the Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian who, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, commended the young people for being selected to be the first participants in this program. The instructional work sessions were held Wednesday through Saturday. Faculty members were the Very Rev. Dr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Pastor of Holy Martyrs Church, Bayside, NY, whose focus was on the role of the deacon in the Armenian Church; the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, Pastor of St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, who discussed and demonstrated the playing of the organ in Armenian sacred music; Dn Rubik Mailian, Choir Leader of St. John Church of Southfield, MI, discussed the techniques of voice production and explored how to direct different vocal sections; Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, Coordinator of Music Ministry at the Diocese, taught conducting skills; and Dr. Socrates Boyajian gave a presentation on western music, led a survey of music theory and taught ear training. Important information for the choir leader to know during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy was interspersed throughout all the lectures.
Although there was a strict time schedule for each day of the program, evenings were free for personal time, social gatherings, sing-alongs, and dinner outings. Voice and instrumental talents abounded. Mr. Bob Meeson, on-site manager for the Ararat Center, extended his care and assistance to see that everything went smoothly throughout the week, as did Len and Jill DiGiovanni, who served as cuisine managers for the Center.
Judging from the participantsí surveys and comments, they were highly motivated with the sessions and benefited a great deal from each of the courses. Some indicated that this week was an experience they would not forget. They learned more about the Divine Liturgy and what they are singing. Learning to conduct a choir is what they came for and they were not disappointed; they gained their confidence. Some learned about playing the organ. All indicated that they would welcome the opportunity to return next year for more intensive training over a longer period of time.
A simple, informal Graduation Ceremony was held on Saturday, August 7, at which time each participant received a Certificate signed by the Primate, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and several gifts from His Eminence and the Central Council. As a token of their appreciation, the young leaders made and signed a giant "Thank You" card which summed up their feelings with the very significant phrasing "AACCA/JCLDP, you make me wanna conduct!"
Since graduates of this program will be given the title of assistant choir director, part of their graduation requirement was for each to direct a segment of the Holy Badarak on Sunday, August 8, at St. Peter Armenian Church of Watervliet, NY, with the Rev. Fr. Arsen Barsamian as the celebrant. This final portion of the program was beautifully choreographed and well received by the parishioners of St. Peter's as each of the 12 young assistant choir directors took turns and conducted the entire Holy Badarak. The complete service was also sung a cappella, producing a haunting blend of voices, reminiscent of ancient renderings of the Divine Liturgy, as the "12" combined their voices with the local choir members and deacons of St. Peter Armenian Church. This was the demonstrable result of the over six hours of daily instruction, and additional practice time, that each new assistant choir director put in over the four-day period of Wednesday through Saturday of the JCLDP program.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Parish Council of St. Peter's provided a reception and barbecue in their church hall in honor of their guests. There was more singing, laughter, and reminiscences about the week just ended. Parents who had come to transport their children home expressed their deep gratitude to the AACCA for the care and attention given to the twelve young adults. Parting was tearful but at the same time joyful for everyone. The Central Council hopes that our JCLDP graduates will be able to attend the Annual Choir Assembly in November in Providence, RI, to serve as an example of the AACCA's efforts to promote its Junior Choir programs.
