AGBU E-Newsletter No.32

AGBU E-Newsletter No.32

AGBU NYSEC’s "Debut Concert" at Carnegie Hall Sells Out, Raises $50,000 for Scholarships

On Saturday, September 20, 2008, “A Debut Concert” attracted an audience
of 300 and raised over $50,000 for AGBU Performing Arts scholarships.
Organized by the AGBU New York Special Events Committee (NYSEC), the
concert at Weill Recital Hall of New York’s Carnegie Hall showcased the
talent of 16 young artists who have benefited from AGBU’s performing
arts scholarships.
The evening was a celebration of music, both Armenian and Western. The
program included a world premiere of Tigran Martikyan’s “The Dance of
Spring” and the U.S. premiere of Kevork Andonian’s “Rhapsody for String
Quartet.”
Pre-event efforts raised over $50,000 from AGBU donors, whose support
will ensure that the scholarship endowment for performing artists
continues to grow and support artistic excellence. The evening’s
performing artists included seven pianists: Hayk Arsenyan (NY), Dr.
Sarkis Baltaian (LA), Tigran Martikyan (NY), Sofya Melikyan (NY), Mariam
Nazarian (Boston), Vardan Ovsepian (Boston) and Karine Poghosyan (NY);
two violinists: Aroussiak Baltaian (LA) and Cecee Pantikian (NY); four
cellists: Ani Kalayjian, Lilit Kurdiyan, Hrant Parsamian and Kevork
Parsamian (all of NY); a singer: mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian (NY); a
French horn player: Raffi Dimoian (NY); and three composers: Kevork
Andonian (LA), Tigran Martikyan (NY) and Vardan Ovsepian (Boston).
The program was under the artistic direction of two of the performers,
Solange Merdinian and Ani Kalayjian, who dedicated countless hours to
the evening’s success. The event was organized by the AGBU NYSEC
committee, which includes Anita Anserian, Carol Aslanian, Betty
Cherkezian, Nila Festekjian, Maral Hajjar, Hilda Hartounian, Maral
Jebejian, Gacia Mangassarian, Vesna Markarian, Sossy Setrakian and Vera
Setrakian, with invaluable support from Hripsime Roupen, Administrator
of the AGBU Scholarship Program.
NYSEC committee member and AGBU Central Board Member Carol Aslanian
noted the importance of the concert in raising awareness about AGBU’s
Scholarship Program. “The professionalism of our students was
remarkable. Everyone was impressed with the quality of the performances
and the program of music. Given my longtime involvement with AGBU’s
Scholarship Program, I was so pleased to see the Armenian-American
public recognize the importance of our commitment to these students, who
are representative of the best world-class young musicians.”
In addition to its mission to raise awareness among the public, the
event also offered a rare opportunity for performers to reconnect with
their cultural roots and meet fellow musicians. “I was thrilled to
rehearse and play with all these other young performers; everyone was so
kind and open,” says violist Aleksander Nazaryan, who originally hails
from Armenia. “It was a rare occasion where I could really enjoy being
Armenian and performing in a foreign land. I appreciate AGBU’s
organization of this event, which brought us all together. Hopefully we
can have more events in the future where we can celebrate being Armenian
through music.”
Another musician, Sarkis Baltaian, who is originally from Bulgaria but
currently lives and works in Alabama, shared the sentiment: “I enjoyed
being part of the great musical celebration AGBU organized. It was a
real pleasure collaborating with all AGBU artists who were superb!”
For many decades, AGBU grants have been awarded to hundreds of talented
and qualified students of Armenian descent, who are studying in the
performing arts and have demonstrated excellence in their chosen fields.
These awards enable recipients to achieve their potential, laying the
foundation for their future, as they celebrate their heritage and
identity. Past recipients have studied at distinguished conservatories
and universities worldwide, such as The Juilliard School, Manhattan
School of Music, Komitas State Conservatory, Yale University, Mannes
College of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the Vienna
Conservatory.

Fiftieth-Anniversary Celebrations of the Founding of AGBU Montreal Chapter Culminate with Gala Banquet

The series of programs dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the founding
of the AGBU Montreal Chapter, which began with a special celebration and
ceremony honoring its past chairmen on March 9, culminated in a gala
banquet, which took place on May 18, 2008, in Chateau Vaudreuil with
some 300 guests in attendance.
As with the previous events, the banquet enjoyed the patronage of the
Primate of the Diocese of Canada, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.
AGBU President Berge Setrakian presided in absentia, while Arden and
Kristine Dervishian served as honorary godparents. Remarks befitting the
occasion were delivered by Boghos Kichian, Chairman of the Jubilee
Committee; Garo Nshanian, Master of Ceremonies; Harout Shitilian,
Chairman of AGBU Montreal Executive Committee; Armen Bechakjian,
Executive Committee Chairman; and Artoun Hamalian, AGBU Director of
Education.
A lovely musical program was presented, consisting of a nice selection
of operatic arias performed by soprano Isabelle Metwalli, tenor Eli
Berberian, one of the promising young talents in the Montreal community,
as well as bass-baritone Garo Nshanian.
On this occasion, the sum of $100,000 was secured for the construction
of the AGBU Youth Complex on the grounds of the Alex Manoogian Center.
Former chapter chairman Boghos Kichian was presented with a special
memento in appreciation of his considerable effort in connection with
the jubilee celebration. In addition, the AGBU Central Board of
Directors, in appreciation of the $150,000-plus donations made to the
AGBU Montreal Chapter by national benefactors Jirair and Eliz
Dervishian, honored them with the title “AGBU Benefactor” and a special
certificate. In the absence of Jirair Dervishian, the certificate was
handed to his wife and their grandson, Jirair Arden Dervishian, by
Artoun Hamalian from the New York Central Office.
Nshanian then invited on stage the honorary godfather of the banquet,
Arden and Kristine Dervishian, as well as godfathers Arto and Minush
Artinian, Vatche and Ani Bechakjian, Diran and Sylvia Boyadjian, Jirair
and Eliz Dervishian, Mike and Karin Giragosian, Houri Hakimian, Harma
and Janine Kulian, Alex Gunther, Noubar and Hera Mouradian, and Aram and
Belinda Yacoubian, who received 50th-anniversary souvenirs.
The lighting of the candles on the 50th-anniversary cake was done in the
presence of His Eminence the Primate; Arman Hagopian; Artoun Hamalian;
Armen Bechakjian; former chapter chairmen, Boghos Kichian, Megerdich
Malkhasian, Garbis Aposhian, Vicken Attarian, as well as members of the
Montreal Chapter Executive Committee, Aram Yacoubian, Levon Kavaljian,
Kevork Piloyan, Mike Giragosian, Sylva Mangasarian and Harout Shitilian.
Published on this occasion was a Golden Book, an album-memorial book
containing a brief history of the chapter.
Honoring Past Chairmen
The celebration that was held on March 9 in the Alex Manoogian Center
began with a display of panels depicting the history of the AGBU
Montreal Chapter. A more extensive presentation thereof, including
slides highlighting the cultural, athletic, youth, scouting and Golden
Age group activities, was then given by three past chapter chairmen:
Megerdich Malkhasian, Eddie Yeghiayan and Boghos Kichian.
AGBU scouts Lori Boyajian and Razmig Barbarian recited poems by Vahan
Tekeyan. Well-known singer Arthur Apkarian and his band performed a
bunch of popular and patriotic songs, much to the delight of the guests.
Vahan Kazanjian, a veteran member of AGBU and one of the former chairmen
of the athletic committee, read the heartfelt messages of former
chairmen Garbis Aposhian, Vicken Attarian and Rita Kuyumjian.  Shahe
Tanashian, director of Manuel Keoseyan Armenological Studies, spoke on
behalf of the organization’s youth. Current Executive Committee Chairman
Armen Bechakjian expressed gratitude to all those who had a part in the
organization of the event, as well as conveying congratulations from
executive secretary Rahel Ourfalian. Arshavir Gundjian, Vice President
of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, also expressed words of
congratulations on this occasion, as did the Primate, Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, whose benediction preceded the reception ending the evening.
More 50th-Anniversary Festivities
The 50th-anniversary celebrations of the AGBU Montreal Chapter continued
with a performance of 51 members of the Shushi Dance Ensemble of St.
Vartan Cathedral, New York, under the direction and choreography of Seta
Paskalian-Kantardjian, at Vanier College on April 12.  This event, which
was initiated by chapter chairman Armen Bechakjian and chaired by Boghos
Kichian, featured stellar performances by prominent musical director
Andranik Mouradian, and renowned singers Hovig Krikorian, Armen
Hovannesyan, Salpi Mailian, Rima Karapetyan, and Sosie Avakian
Mardirossian, along with a moving poetic recitation by Noune Avetisyan.
Haig and Shake Majarian sponsored the performance. Krikor and Rose
Dikranian’s generous contribution greatly helped to make it possible.
Still another event marking the chapter’s 50th anniversary was the
Mother’s Day banquet featuring the one-man show of veteran
director-actor Krikor Satamian. This most successful program, which was
attended by several hundred people, was held on May 11 in the Arshavir
and Nadia Gundjian Hall of the AGBU Alex Manoogian School. During the
banquet portion of the program, the following mothers were honored:
Vartouhi Avannes, Mary Kulian, Araxie Hakimian, Alice Manoogian, Eliz
Nahabedian, Lucy Boghosian, Ani Soukiassian, Sirvart Soukiassian and
Makrouhi Vasilian. Also honored was the chapter’s executive secretary,
Rahel Ourfalian.
Other Local Events
Following on the heels of these anniversary events were the commencement
exercises of the Armen-Quebec AGBU Alex Manoogian School and the “kef”
night organized by the AGBU Montreal Dance Club.
The commencement exercises, which were held on Father’s Day, June 15,
not only marked the end of the “Year of Excellence” but also were
equivalent to a true cultural festival dedicated to the centennial of
the birth of William Saroyan. On this occasion as well, school principal
Robert Kechayan informed that new computers had been installed in each
of the classrooms and that the nursery section would be complemented
with an annex, allowing for the admission of more pupils in the
kindergarten division. This year, there were 23 graduates from the
eighth grade, bringing the total number of graduates to roughly 2,000 in
the school’s 38-year history.
Finally, the “Keff Night” on June 16 constituted the spring season’s
finale of the AGBU Montreal Dance Club. Contributing to the evening’s
success were Jasmin, the Baladi dance teacher of the club; ballroom
dance teacher, Mrs. Gurlain; Hagop and Anahid Amirian; and club leader,
longtime AGBU volunteer Hasmik Khachikian.