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
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
