2004 Annual Report of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America

In 2004, the Central Council of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA) focused on the implementation of its new “Junior Choir Leadership Development Program” (JCLDP).  With efforts like a junior choir gathering in the New York/Connecticut area, the AACCA maintained the junior choirs developed in local parishes, and worked to start additional junior choirs in parishes that did not already have them.

Meetings: During the Diocesan “Year of Stewardship,” the Choir Association Central Council scheduled a meeting at the St. Mary Church, Livingston, NJ, to meet with local choir members, exchange ideas, provide support, and address questions the St. Mary choir members had regarding preparations for the 59th annual Choir Assembly.

The 2004 Central Council conducted seven face-to-face meetings, at: St. Leon Church, Fair Lawn, NJ (Oct. 2003); Holy Ascension Church, Trumbull, CT (Nov. 2003); St. Vartan Cathedral, New York, NY (Dec. 2003, Sep. 2004); St. Mary Church, Livingston, NJ (Mar.); Ararat Center, Greenville, NY (Aug.); Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, RI (Nov.).  Additionally, the chairman attended a meeting with the Primate at the Diocesan Center (Jun.).

Publicity: Newspaper articles and pictures were submitted in The Armenian Church magazine, The Armenian Church website, the AACCA website, The Armenian Reporter, The Mirror-Spectator, and Nor-Gyank regarding the 57th Annual Choir Assembly at St. Leon Church, Fair Lawn, NJ; the junior choir gathering in White Plains, NY; and the Junior Choir Leadership Development Program at Ararat Center, Greenville, NY.

Scholarships: The AACCA awarded three scholarships during 2004: to Narine Amroyan (Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, RI) to attend St. Vartan Camp; to Nicholas Mangigian (St. John Church, Detroit, MI) for the St. Nersess Seminary Deacon Training Program; and to Angele Nalbandian (St. Mary Church, Washington, DC) from the Margaret E. Hagopian Scholarship fund.

Children’s Badarak Book: In 2003, the Central Council produced a Children’s Badarak Book for use by junior choirs, to acquire a basic understanding of the hymns.  One thousand copies were produced and distributed to local parishes.

Fundraising: During 2004, the AACCA produced a fundraising item: a coaster designed for the AACCA and mailed to all choir members.  Revenues from donations were used for the Junior Choir Leadership Development Program.  Additionally, the AACCA received generous donations from private supporters.

As in the past, AACCA sold robes, stoles, and veils to the following churches: St. David, Boca Raton, FL; St. Mary, Livingston, NJ; Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA; St. Leon, Fair Lawn, NJ; parish of Austin, TX; St. Mary, Washington, DC; St. James, Evanston, IL; St. Gregory the Enlightener, White Plain, NY; St. Mesrob, Racine, WI; and St. John, Southfield, MI.

Awards 2004: At the Choir Assembly banquet, the AACCA honored choir members and deacons from New England parishes who have served for over 40 years as either a choir member or a deacon.

The Central Council gave the “Gomidas Vartabed Award” to Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, RI, and to St. Mary Church, Washington, DC, for their collaboration on a compact disc recording of Armenian spiritual music, Gloria in Excelsis, featuring the Providence Junior Choir and Washington’s NAREK Bell Choir.

The “Yegmalian Award” for excellence in an altar-server program was given to Holy Martyrs Church, Bayside, NY.

The Central Council presented the “Norman Noorjanian Stewardship Award” to Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, Diocesan coordinator of music ministry, for his dedication to the development and instruction of junior choirs, and for his support to the AACCA.

Website: The AACCA website (www.sograd.com/aacca) which was established in 1999, continues to grow, with more users and information.

Personnel: The AACCA Central Council officers for 2004 were: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian—president; Dn. Gregory Krikorian—chairman; Arpie Kouzouian—vice chairman; Mary Selvinazian—treasurer; Dr. Socrates Boyajian—recording secretary; David Livingstone—corresponding secretary; Yn. Patricia Buttero—advisor; Anoush Givelekian—advisor; Allan Tossoonian—advisor; Fr. Untzag Nalbandian—clergy liaison.