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.

Those who would like to a make a contribution to sustain and support the AGBU Scholarship Program for Performing Arts students may contact AGBU by phone, 212-319-6383, or email, scholarship@agbu.org.