Third Annual Performing Artists in Concert at Carnegie Hall Raises Over $60,000 for AGBU Scholarships

On December 4, 2010, the AGBU New York Special Events Committee (NYSEC) hosted its third annual AGBU Performing Artists in Concert, which showcased the talents of a group of outstanding young Armenian musicians. The sold-out event was held at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in midtown Manhattan.

This celebration of music saluted the impressive artistic achievements of the various performers in their respective fields. The featured musicians were all recipients of AGBU scholarships, which allowed them to be educated at some of the world's most well-respected and prestigious conservatories and universities, including Azusa Pacific University, Bard College Conservatory of Music, Harvard University, Komitas State Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, New England Conservatory, Royal Northern College of Music, the University of Michigan, and the USC Thornton School of Music.

Thanks to AGBU's family of friends and the Armenian community at large, last year's benefit performance allowed NYSEC to provide scholarship support to several New York-based students, some of whom were featured at the recent 2010 concert. Moreover, the success of the New York performances inspired AGBU affiliates overseas to rejoice in the achievements of these gifted young students. The AGBU Districts of Lebanon and Syria invited four scholarship recipients to share their talent and musical knowledge with communities in Beirut, Damascus, and Aleppo. The Middle East tour of this AGBU quartet was sponsored by NYSEC. The 2010 benefit concert raised close to $60,000 for the AGBU Performing Arts Fellowship Program.

Under the artistic direction of Ani Kalayjian and Solange Merdinian, eight performers collaborated to prepare a distinguished repertoire of music, celebrating Armenian and other classical composers, including Brahms, Babadjanian, Chopin, Tchebodarian, and Komitas. "The 2010 AGBU NYSEC concert was a great success, bringing together new and old friends from around the United States to collaborate for this wonderful cause," said Kalayjian. "The musicians enjoyed meeting each other and working together over the course of the week, and especially performing together on the stage of Weill Hall. The evening's program showcased the talents of these young AGBU performing arts recipients." The eight performing artists were comprised of two violinists, Tatevik Ayazyan of New York and Henrik Karapetyan of Michigan; cellist Ani Kalayjian of New Jersey; two pianists, Karen Hakobyan and Sofya Melikyan, both of New York; and three vocal performers, sopranos Garineh Avakian and Knarik Nerkararyan of Los Angeles, and mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian of New Jersey. Joining them as master of ceremonies was young conductor Aram Demirjian of Massachusetts. NYSEC also welcomed guest artist Daniel Thomas Davis of New York, who joined the young musicians to perform his composition, "Diary of Scattering," which was inspired by his study of Armenian music. The piece was commissioned for the dissertation project of Henrik Karapetyan in an effort to bring together modern compositions that were inspired by Armenian religious music. This commission was made possible in part by the AGBU Performing Arts Fellowship awarded to Karapetyan.

The event was organized by the AGBU NYSEC Committee, chaired by Nila Festekjian and Sossy Setrakian. Members include Anita Anserian, Carol Aslanian, Betty Cherkezian, Maral Hajjar, Hilda Hartounian, Maral Jebejian, Gacia Mangassarian, Vesna Markarian, and Vera Setrakian. Performing Artists in Concert contributors included graphic designer Alex Basmagian and coordinator Natalie Gabrelian of the AGBU Central Office.

The concert was attended by AGBU President Berge Setrakian and his wife Vera, as well as Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, and his wife, Siranoush. Guests also included members of the AGBU Central Board of Directors and newly established Strategic Advisory Council from both the east and west coasts of the United States, Argentina, Canada, Lebanon, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

NYSEC Committee co-chair Sossy Setrakian stressed the importance of AGBU's role in recognizing young Armenians and helping them grow. "The extraordinary success of the performances and the diversity of backgrounds of the performers demonstrate once again the unique role AGBU plays in Armenian communities worldwide." She continued, "It is my sincere wish that events such as this will act as a catalyst to bring a younger generation of Armenians into the AGBU family." Artistic co-director Solange Merdinian added, "AGBU has enabled us – musicians - to create a network and community of talented Armenian musicians from all over the world. The AGBU Performing Artists in Concert is the start and platform for many wonderful musical collaborations and friendships. And with the level of presentation after December's performance, we can take pride in our emerging generation of musicians."

For decades, AGBU scholarships have been awarded to qualified, talented students of Armenian descent studying in the performing arts who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen fields. These awards enable recipients to reach their potential, laying the foundation for their future, as they celebrate their heritage and identity. Those who would like to make a contribution to the AGBU Performing Arts Fellowship Program to help sustain and support the enhancement of future Armenian musicians may contact AGBU by phone, 212-319-6383, or email, scholarship@agbu.org.