Regional Workshops Help Make the Badarak more Fulfilling

A series of regional workshops sponsored by the Diocese brought a team of experts to parishes to train choir directors, deacons, and organists, concentrating on their roles in making the Divine Liturgy uplifting and meaningful for worshippers.

At regional workshops in Boca Raton, FL, and White Plains, NY, key church leaders gathered to learn how to better perform in their roles.

Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, director of the Diocese's Music Ministry program, taught the choir directors proper methods of conducting, how best to use various tempos, and the importance of timing and dynamics. Also included in the presentation was a description of a choir director's responsibilities, one of which is to seek out choir members.

Deacons were under the tutelage of Fr. Hovhanessian, whose instruction included not only the singing of the altar servers' parts, but also details of their stance and actions throughout the Divine Liturgy.

Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, pastor of St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, and a graduate of Manhattan School of Music with a specialty in organ performance, presented a hands-on lecture on organ techniques and mechanics.

Church leaders will be visiting other Diocesan parishes in coming months to complete this training.