Young Singers Focus on Music's Message

By Lisa M. Natcharian

The Divine Liturgy and the awe-inspiring union with Christ it represents is brought to life by its music. Now, more and more young singers are using their voices to sing the Lord's praises each Sunday. To help grow and strengthen the junior choir program that has taken root in the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), a one-day regional retreat was held in Rhode Island.

The Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America held its first-ever regional Junior Choir Workshop on September 28, at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church in Providence, RI. In total, 61 children, ranging in age from 5 to 17, attended the workshop, coming from seven parishes--Providence, RI; Watertown, Cambridge, Chelmsford, and Worcester, MA; Trumbull, CT; and White Plains, NY.

The children spent a fun-filled afternoon learning singing techniques and Armenian hymns from several talented teachers. After a quick pizza lunch and short worship service conducted by Fr. Shnork Kasparian, the group practiced several songs from the Divine Liturgy under the direction of Konstantin Petrossian, conductor of the choir at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church.

"The children sang beautifully," said Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, director of programs and ministries for the Diocese. "If you weren't looking at them, you would think you were listening to a professional, adult choir. The Hayr Mer and Soorp Asdvadz were especially beautiful."

Following the practice session was a well-received lesson in singing technique presented by Deana Saunders, a teacher at the Trumbull Madison Middle School in Trumbull, CT. With a master's degree in music, she was popular with the children, who benefited from her lessons covering topics such as breathing technique, posture, and facial movement.

After a break, which featured entertainment by a magician and some ice cream, Mrs. Saunders led the group in a discussion about the importance of music appreciation. Her message, that singing can enhance children's spiritual lives by bringing them closer to God, hit home. She urged the children to make music an integral part of their lives, and to remember that through music they could serve the church and the community.

With their newfound technical skills and dedication to the importance of music, the group of young singers then learned several more songs from the Armenian badarak under the direction of Arthur Veranian, choir director of St. James Armenian Church of Watertown, MA. The tired and happy children then returned to their home parishes by bus and carpool, ready to bring new life to their junior choirs. Each received a training tape containing the badarak hymns they learned during the workshop so they could continue their practice at home.

Dn. Gregory Krikorian, chairman of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America, said the group plans to hold similar workshops in other regions of the Diocese over the next year. The New York Region Junior Choir gathering is scheduled for the spring. Last year, the association organized a successful seminar for junior choir conductors, addressing ways to conduct children who may not speak Armenian or read music.

There are 17 active junior choirs across the Diocese. The goal of the Choir Association, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, to see junior choirs in every parish. Fr. Nalbandian reports that four or five parishes are ready to debut new junior choirs in the next few months.

For more information about organizing a junior choir in your parish, please contact Khoren Mekanejian, director of music ministry at the Diocese, by calling (212) 686-0710 or by e-mailing maestro@armeniandiocese.org; or contact Choir Association Chairman Dn. Gregory Krikorian, by calling (508) 485-1506.