The Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA) conducted its 4th Annual Junior Choir Leadership Development Program (JCLDP) at the Ararat Center Monday August 13, 2007 thru Sunday August 19, 2007 giving seven young people a hands-on opportunity to develop their musical leadership skills in service of the Armenian Church.
The seven young people nominated by their parish priests participating in the program this were: (1) Alex Janiuk - age 14 from St Mesrob Armenian Church nominated by Rev. Fr Yeprem Kelegian, Racine, WI, (2) Anna Mamassian - age 15 from St John Armenian Church nominated by Rev. Fr Garabed Kochakian, Southfield, MI, (3) Emily Siranoush Movsesian - age 16 also from St John Armenian Church nominated by Rev. Fr Garabed Kochakian, Southfield, MI, (4) Maral Demirjian - age 17 of St Gregory of Narek Armenian Church, Richmond Hts, OH, (5) Harry Lang - age 17 from Holy Trinity Armenian Church nominated by Rev. Fr Vasken Kouzouian, Cambridge, MA, (6) Talar Aydin - age 18 from Holy Martyrs Armenian Church nominated by Very Rev. Fr Vahan Hovhanessian, Bayside, NY, and (7) Tatevik Khoja-Eynatyan - age 18 from St Mary Armenian Church nominated by Rev. Fr Hovsep Karapetyan, Washington, DC.
The instructors this year were: Very Rev. Fr Daniel Findikyan, Very Rev. Fr Vahan Hovhanessian, Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, Deacon Rubik Mailian, Leon Khoja-Eynatyan, and Dr Socrates Boyajian (Coordinator of the 2007 JCLDP). Each of the instructors had a full day with the participants - bringing unique perspectives on the subject matters at hand backed with years of practical experience in the Armenian Church.
The Association of Church Choirs of America Central Council members Tom Dabakian, Mary Selvinazian, and Anoush Givelekian took turns being present on-site at the Ararat Center and provided support for all of the logistical needs for the week's efforts.
Each day the young participants received seven hours of instruction. The first five hours of instruction consisted of the following fundamentals skills/knowledge needed by choir directors: Conducting, Vocal Technique, Armenian Church Calendar, History of the Badarak, Basic Music Analysis Techniques, Ear Training, Sight-Singing, and finally guidelines for the use of the Organ during the Badarak. These sessions were followed by two hour evening sessions review materials presented during the day and learning Armenian folk songs.
The young participants prepared all week - for their test: conducting the Badarak on Sunday August 19, 2007 at the St Peter Armenian Church of Watervliet, NY. On that Sunday morning in the church, these young people conducted the entire Badarak - each conducting a portion of the Badarak. After the Badarak, the seven young people performed a short concert of Armenian folk music right before the luncheon hosted by the parish of St Peter Armenian Church.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian paid a visit to the Ararat Center during the week to witness some of the training sessions the young people were going through and offered words of encouragement and appreciation of their efforts. During this visit, the young people performed a short musical program consisting of Sharagans and Armenian folk songs - followed by a graduation ceremony for this the JCLDP Class of '07.
We thank Rev. Fr Bedros Kedehjian, new pastor of St Peter Armenian Church, and Rafi Topalian, choir director, deacons, and all the choir members of the of St Peter Armenian Church Choir for graciously hosting the seven young people on Sunday August 19, 2007.
We thank Yeretsgin Paulette Doudoukjian for facilitating the inclusion of the JCLDP 2007 into the Ararat Center’s busy summer schedule. We also thank our wonderful on-site hosts at the Ararat Center: Jyl and Len DeTiovine.
The JCLDP of 2008 will take place again at the Ararat Center August 11 - 18, 2008. Applications for new and returning students will be made available in January 2008. For more information please call Dr Socrates Boyajian 301-613-6304.