Editors of The Voice: Yn. Roberta Kochakian and Mary Selvinazian
This edition of The Voice is dedicated to the memory of Norman and Joyce Noorjanian and has been funded through donations from the following:
Dr Socrates Boyajian
Jeanette DerHagopian
Yn. Roberta Kochakian
Henry & Carol Loshigian
Allan Tossoonian
Louise Yardumian
Thank you for your generosity.
All contributions are gratefully accepted.
"The Voice" is a publication of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America. This issue contains the following articles:
Those who ever walked through Norman and Joyce Noorjanian's garden in Milford, MA, with its winding pathways, delightful and whimsical corners and fragrant blooms knew that they were someplace special. There was an "Armenian Section" with towering tomato plants and onions, parsley, dill, basil and hot peppers. Norman and Joyce were always there in the coolness of their garden to greet their family and friends with the genuine hospitality for which they were so well known.
Last December we were all saddened by the untimely passing of Norman at the age of 64. And a few short months later we received news of the passing of Joyce. All of us in the Choir Association and the Armenian Community at large will miss them. Their kindness and generosity to their church as well as the Choir Association will always be fondly remembered. Not only was Norman a highly respected Vice-President of the Milford National Bank, but he participated in the various community activities in Milford. He was an invaluable member of the AACCA, serving as its treasurer for many years. Norman was also a loyal member of the church choir of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour of Worcester. Both he and Joyce were members of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour and served the church in many capacities throughout their forty years of marriage. Recently, they were predeceased by their son, John, and are survived by a son, Gregory and a daughter, Melanie. Our heartfelt prayers and sympathy goes out to them both.
Upon hearing of the passing of Norman and Joyce, Fr. Garabed Kochakian the former Chancellor of the Diocese, wrote a prayer which was read at a Central Council meeting of the AACCA. The prayer is as follows:
"Heavenly Father, and most gracious and loving God. As we gather to continue our work for your glory, we remember the soul of our dearly departed and most beloved brother, Norman Noorjanian, whose unexpected earthly departure has left us wounded in spirit and overwhelmed with our work. We know the depth of his love for you, his family, the Armenian people and church and particularly the work and mission of the Choir Association; and how he always placed himself at the service of others. Imbue us with that same spirit, that we may continue with the same zeal, fortitude and commitment that Norman always had so that the fruits of our collective labors will show forth his memory, his spirit and his eternal love for this, our Church and fruits we aspire to produce. May God our Christ shed His eternal light upon Norman and Joyce as they sleep in the mansions of the just, granting them everlasting peace. Amen."
Memorial donations may be made to the AACCA to honor Norman and Joyce Noorjanian and ca be sent to:
Mary Selvinazian, Treasurer AACCA Central Council
56-36 196th Place
Flushing, NY 11365
Although we did not have a site for our 53rd Annual Assembly firmed up at last year's gathering, we do now! Reserve the date: November 5 through 7, 1999. Accommodations will be at the Hyatt Regency in Richmond, Virginia, at very reasonable rates. The Richmond Choir will soon be sending out registration information. The highlights will be two days of workshops, plus some social events such as a southern barbecue and the Assembly Banquet.
We'er on the Internet! You can regularly check out our web site for the latest Choir Association news. There are several sections consisting of our Bulletins, Central Council members, tutorials, Frequently Asked Questions, information on publications, and music of our church services, to name a few. You can print out specific pieces of music posted on the Internet. THE VOICE is also availabe on line. Ifyou can help in maintaining the information on our web site, please be in touch. The address of our web site is:
www.erols.com/sograd/aacca
Plans are underway for the AACCA to participate in the Jerusalem 2000 Pilgrimage, sponsored by the Diocese of the Armenian Church. Choir members and other pilgrimage participants will be traveling to Jerusalem from January 15-22, 2000, to be part of the festivities commemorating the 2000th anniversary of the birth of our Lord. The AACCA is sponsoring workshops and rehearsals focusing on the music of The Nativity throughout the year to assist all those choir members who will participate to be better prepared for the services during the event-filled week. It will be a week to be remembered for the rest of our lives.
Fulfilling the wishes of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the AACCA will train a touring choir under the direction of Maestro Khoren Meikhanedjian to participate in concerts, religous services and in the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem. We hope you have already committed yourself to this once in a lifetime event!
Every member of the touring choir must attend one of the following remaining rehearsal/workshops: Saturday, July 17, 1999, St Vartan Cathedral, NY; Saturday, August 28, 1999, St Vartan Cathedral, NY; Saturday , October 16, 1999, Holy Martyrs, Bayside, NY; Weekend of November 5-7, 1999, St James Armenian Church, Richmond, VA (site of the annual assembly). There will be one final rehearsal in Jerusalem on Sunday evening, January 16, 2000.
Mary Selvinazian has been appointed by the Primate to coordinate the rehearsals of the Pilgrimage Choir. Keep in touch with her, your parish priest or choir director for further information. Plan to attend!
Please use the Jerusalem 2000 Pilgrimage Form of the last page of this publication to respond.
The AACCA call the youth of the Armenian Church to attend the St Nersess Summer Study Conferences and the Deacon's Training Program, on the following dates:
Deacon's Training Program - June 25-July 4
High School Conference A - July 9-18
High School Conference B - July 23-August 1
Jr. High School Conference - August 4-8
Post High School (College) Conference - August 16-22
This year as in the past the AACCA will grant parial scholarships to the youth of our church who wish to attend these programs, to take place at the St Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, NY. You may contact the seminary at (914)636-2003 for registration information.
Pastors, parish council chairmen, and choir directors have received the scholarship application forms. When an application is sent it must be accompanied by a recommendation letter from the parish priest and must be sent no later than one week prior to the beginning of each conference to:
Ms. Arpie Kouzouian
66 Crestview Rd
Belmont, MA 02478
We encourage all of the your of our church to attend these memorable, educational, and inspiring conferences. Since 1963 they have brought the young people of our church the ability to serve with love and understanding of the Armenian Church. Here is a quote from Michael Cannata, tbir of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, New Britain, CT: "I had a very good experience at the St Nersess Seminary and learned a lot from the Deacon's Training classes. Currently I am being helpful to my parish church through attending Altar Servers' classes together with my younger brother Matthew. We do double Poorvar during the Badarak and say the Psalms by heart". Michael was a recipient of an AACCA scholarship in 1998.
The Margaret E. Hagopian Scholarship
One of the least applied for scholarships of the AACCA is the Margaret E. Hagopian Scholarship. Three $100 scholarships are available each year for study of organ or vocal training. To be eligible you must be a member of a church choir. Individual choirs may also apply for this cholarship to be used toward programs for the improvement of their own local church choirs.
Applications must be submitted along with a letter of recommendation from your parish priest by September 1, 1999 and should be sent to:
Ms. Arpie Kouzouian
66 Crestview Rd
Belmont, MA 02478
The summer of 1999 promises to be one to remember for Armenian Youth of ages 10 to 14 to learn, sing, play and perform Armenian music.
Watch for details about how your youngster can participate in a unique, exciting musical experience with the finest music instructors. The relaxed, casual, fun atmosphere of St Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle will be the setting for this program. Applications will be available soon.
In response to inquiries about availability of the first volumes published by the AACCA in 1965, we must advise that the 1965 edition is indeed depleted and has been for many years. For this reason the AACCA published the revised Sacred Music Volumes in 1995. To order copies of the current volumes of the Yegmalian Divine Liturgy, please write to:
Dr Socrates Boyajian
406 Thayer Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
"Der Voghormia" and "Orhnetsits uzDer" taken from the Khorenian setting of the Divine Liturgy are two very familiar hyms that many of our choirs in the Diocese are singing on a regular basis. The complete Khorenian Badarak, written by Maestro Khoren Meikhanedjian, formerly director of the Cathedral Choir in Holy Etchmiadzin and now director of the St Vartan Cathedral Choir, New York, as well as workshop clinician for our diocesan churches, is in the final stages of publication. Much thought has gone into this publication so that we can easily read and sing the entire Badarak. What a great addition it will to our Church Liturgical Music!
This music, commissioned by Vasken Vehapar of Blessed Memory, is being published with the singer's ease of reading as prime consideration. The one volume of music will be spiral bound, easy to hold, opening flat for organists' ease in playing and showing four vocal parts. The accompaniment is written in regular keyboard notation. A special organ accompaniment may be made available upon request. It is our hope that our choirs will purchase this new setting of our Liturgy, learn it and enjoy singing the beautiful sharagans so that we may continue to inspire and uplift the congregations of our parishes. Than you, Maestro Khoren!
New on the final date of publication will be provided to choirs as soon as available.
FILL OUT AND RETURN THIS FORM TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PILGRIMAGE CHOIR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ARMENIAN CHURCH CHOIRS OF AMERICA
(Note: You must also send in your reservation for the Pilgrimage Tour separately.)
Name: _______________________
Address: ___________________________________________
Telephone Number: _________________
I am a member of the (name of church) ____________________
Church Choir of (city, state) ____________________
My voice is (check one) ___ Soprano ___ Alto ___ Tenor ___ Bass
Date: _____________
Signature: ______________________
Please return this form to:
Mary Selvinazian, Treasurer AACCA Central Council
56-36 196th Place
Flushing, NY 11365