Youth Programs Take Center Stage at Diocesan Choir Association 57th Annual Assembly

A focus on developing youth participation highlighted the 57th Annual Assembly of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America during the last weekend in October.

Streamlined formal sessions, presided over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian October 24, accomplished the necessary business of the Association under the chairmanship of Gregory Saraydarian, delegate from the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, elected by acclamation. The number of delegates exceeded the numbers of many prior assemblies. In its report to the Assembly, the Central Council emphasized its work with Diocesan junior choirs and expressed its gratitude to Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, Coordinator of Music Ministry at the Diocese, for teaching badarak hymns to children of many parishes and at the diocesan summer camps. The Central Council commended the Primate for initiating and organizing several regional workshops for choir leaders, deacons and organists.

A highlight of the Assembly was the announcement of a new Children's Badarak Book for the use of junior choir members, with music transposed to a lower key by Dr. Socrates Boyajian and a commentary prepared by the Diocesan Department of Religious Education. Publication expenses were underwritten by Ms. Mary Selvinazian, to whom the Assembly expressed its appreciation.

In a spirited address to the delegates assembled in the sanctuary of St. Leon's Church on October 25, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian referred to the 2003 Diocese theme of communication and said the badarak as "a profound reminder to us, week in and week out, that God communicates with us." The Primate congratulated the Central Council on its programs and thanked the officers "for their incredible work and creativity."

The balance of the day was devoted to a series of informative workshops presented by the Central Council under Chairman Dn. Gregory Krikorian. Workshop I, presented by Dr. Socrates Boyajian, explored the AACCA website www. sograd.com/aacca . Workshop II conducted by guest lecturer Anoosh Barclay, covered vocal production. During Workshop III, Dr. Boyajian presented an exposition of his opera "Armenia - The First Christian Nation" an educational opera written for children on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the conversion of the Armenian nation to Christianity. Workshop IV, presented by Fr. Garabed Kochakian and Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, was geared to junior choir members.

Several awards were presented during the October 25 banquet, the culmination of one of the most successful AACCA convocations in recent times, hosted by the St. Leon Armenian Church Choir of Fair Lawn with Dr. Berdj Feredjian as chairman. The church community together with St. Leon Pastor Fr. Diran Bohajian, welcomed the delegates and also hosted special guest Rev. Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, representing its Primate, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

The Central Council honored choir members from various parishes who have served for more than forty years. The Norman Noorjanian Stewardship Award was given to Mary Selvinazian for achieving the goals of the Association beyond the call of duty. Mary Selvinazian was also presented by the Primate with a St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. St. Mary Armenian Church, Livingston, NJ, was presented with the Gomidas Vartabed Award and the AACCA's Yegmalian Award for an outstanding altar server program went to St. Leon Armenian Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, as well as to St. James Armenian Church of Richmond, VA.

Anoush Givelekian and Yn. Arpie Kouzouian were elected to the Central Council as new members to make up the 2003-2004 Central Council as follows: Chairman, Dn. Gregory Krikorian; Vice Chairman, Yn. Arpie Kouzouian; Treasurer; Mary Selvinazian; Recording Secretary, Dr. Socrates Boyajian; David Livingstone, Corresponding Secretary; Advisors, Anoush Givelekian and Allan Tossoonian; Clergy Liaison, Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian.