The Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale was founded in February,
2000, by world-renowned Maestro Konstantin Petrossian of
Providence, Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian of Armenian Church of Our
Saviour, and Rev. Fr. Archpriest Vazken Bekiarian of Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian
and, now, Rev. Fr. Dr. Khatchadour Boghossian have lent their
support on behalf of Holy Trinity since Der Vazken’s retirement.
Maestro Petrossian has been Artistic Director and Conductor of
The Chorale since its inception. Karine Avanesov of Rhode
Island accepted the position of accompanist in 2004, after
Anaida Grigorian-Adourian stepped down, and she has more than
risen to the challenge. The Chorale is comprised of singers
from the parishes of Church of Our Saviour and Holy Trinity
Church, both of Worcester, and Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian
Apostolic Church, of Whitinsville. We are grateful to have the
sponsorship of both Worcester churches, and extend our thanks
for everything they have done to help the group prosper.
Beginning with the first appearance in April, 2000, The Chorale
has had the honor and pleasure to give nearly twenty
performances. We have been invited to perform in Springfield,
MA, during their Armenian Martyrs’ Day Commemoration. We were
joined by The Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island for a special
performance in Worcester commemorating the 1700th
anniversary of the Christianization of Armenia, and our Chorale
was invited to Providence to perform with them in their Annual
Gala. We have dedicated past concerts to the 1600th
anniversary of the Armenian alphabet, and the 15th
anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. It
has been our pleasure to perform during anniversary celebrations
of both Holy Trinity Church and Church of Our Saviour, and to
participate in the annual Armenian Martyrs’ Day Commemorations
in Worcester in 2000-2004. The music The Chorale performs ranges
from liturgical to patriotic to folk songs, and Christmas
concerts have included traditional holiday songs in both
Armenian and English.
The Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale has also had the distinct
pleasure of hosting many extremely gifted and talented guest
soloists. Gohar Manjelikian, mezzo soprano, holds the record
for return engagements, having performed with The Chorale on
three occasions. Victoria Avetisyan, mezzo soprano, makes her
third appearance today. Garo Nichanian, bass-baritone, Yeghishe
Manucharyan, tenor, Noune Karapetian, soprano, and Vagharshak
Ohanyan, bass-baritone, have each been our guest twice. We have
also been delighted to present sopranos: Anoosh Barclay, Raisa
Hayrapetian and Janette Khalarian, as well as tenor, Babin
Boghossian. Worcester audiences have also been treated to some
amazingly talented musicians performing on ancient Armenian
instruments many people had never seen before: David Ayriyan,
master kamancha player, Martin Haroutunian on duduk and shvi,
David Gevorkian on duduk, and Tamara Martirosyan on kanoun.
These talented soloists all have glowing credits which include
performances around the world, radio and television appearances
and recordings.
Possibly the most entertaining performances of all have been
given by a very small, but extremely engaging, group. Maestro
formed the Armenian Children’s Chorus in 2002. Under his
tutelage initially, and later directed by Ms. Grigorian, the
children developed quite a presence onstage. Their cherubic
faces and angelic voices seemed to upstage The Chorale and
soloists, nearly every time! Last year Maestro and The Chorale
proudly introduced a brand new children’s group to the Worcester
community in their premier performance. “Arevig” Children’s
Chorus & Dance Group is once again under the direction of
Maestro, while all dance instruction and choreography are by
Alin Sarkisian and Ani Yaghmourian, who are members of both the
renowned Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston and The Greater
Worcester Armenian Chorale. As these delightful youngsters
perform, theywill surely capture the hearts of everyone in
attendance. It is said that the youth of a nation are the
future of the nation. It is, therefore, critically important to
encourage and nurture the interest of our young people in
learning about their culture and heritage; utilizing our rich
musical heritage as a stepping stone to further learning and
inquiry is a valuable tool. The children, and their parents,
should be commended for their dedication and commitment.
While praising our guest soloists and “Arevig”, The Greater
Worcester Armenian Chorale itself should not be overlooked. The
Chorale members devote a great deal of time and energy to weekly
rehearsals in an effort to excel. With each passing concert our
skills are better developed and more evident. Maestro introduces
new, progressively more difficult, material each time, and The
Chorale handles it with aplomb. As Maestro exhibits more
confidence in our abilities, his expectations and motivation
enable us to meet his standards. He offers us challenges and
encourages us to pursue new goals. We are most fortunate to have
talent of the high caliber of Maestro Petrossian guiding our
development and growth. The Chorale members are grateful for
his time and commitment.
Although we have struggled with the passing of members and the
departure of some due to accident, illness or other unavoidable
conflicts, as we approach our 9th anniversary The
Chorale is still moving forward. This is due, in large part, to
the loyal support of the Greater Worcester Armenian-American
community and our two co-sponsoring churches. The community
at-large has embraced The Chorale, and continues to offer
assistance and encouragement, not only by consistent attendance
at our concerts, but also in the form of financial support, for
which we are sincerely grateful. Although the help and support
of the community and our sponsors are critical, the ongoing
success of the group is also a testament to the dedication,
talent and persistent pursuit of excellence our members and
accompanist exhibit, and the tireless, truly inspired efforts of
Maestro Petrossian. The goals of continual and consistent
growth and improved musical execution which he puts forth for
The Chorale are the source of the motivation which drives us to
keep striving to be the best we can be.
Maestro often tells us: “This is history…our heritage, our
culture…this is important to preserve.” It is worth remembering
what William Saroyan, renowned Armenian author, once wrote: “I
should like to see any power of the world destroy this race,
this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been
fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is
unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go
ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into
the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and
churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray
again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if
they will not create a new Armenia.” The members, sponsors and
supporters of The Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale realize it
is vitally important to promote and preserve our cultural
heritage, and we sincerely want to see this group continue to
grow and flourish even more….on into not only the next season,
but the 10th, 15th, 20th….long
after we are gone….for our children, and our grandchildren to
enjoy....and to help the world remember!
Submitted by:
Nancy Tashjian
Rev.Fr. Aved Terzian, Pastor of the
Armenian Church of Our Savior,
Rev. Fr. Khatchadour Boghossian, Pastor of the Holy Trinity
Armenian Apostolic Church.
On behalf of the Worcester Chorale, I would like to
express our thanks to you, to the Parish Councils of the
Churches, and to the parishioners for continuing to support
the Chorale, by allowing us to use the hall for rehearsals
and for the Gala Concert.
Now, we can say for sure, that, with its seven year history,
the Worcester Chorale is a very important artistic center,
who deserves the love and appreciation of hundreds of
people. We are very happy that this year, together with the
children's chorus, the "Arevig" dance group was formed and,
for the first time, presented a successful program. In our
opinion, the Chorale and the children's groups have the role
of protecting the Armenian art. Wishing you and your
parishioners the best, we hope to have your churches'
continued support.
With deep respect,
Maestro Konstantin Petrossian
To: Members of the Armenian Chorale of Greater Worcester
:
Dear friends,
I want to thank and congratulate you for Sunday's wonderful
concert. The chorale sounded great, and, I think, this was
one of your best concerts of the latest years. Every year
it is better and better. Of course this is the result of
your hard work.
The soloists and the children's choir have brought beauty to
the concert, also, the children's dance group. I would like
to thank the committee that organized the dinner, and all
those who helped with everything else on Sunday. I have in
mind that soon (before we forget), we record the chorale's
whole program on CD. I am going to speak with the sound
engineer and the Cultural Center, and I will let you know
about the day to make the CD. It will, probably, be on the
Thursday after Thanksgiving.
And now, I want to congratulate you again for a wonderful
evening, and to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Respectfully,
Maestro Konstantin Petrossian
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