For many it is a moment of reliving sweet childhood memories. For others, it is a singular opportunity to take pride in their children or grandchildren. Yet beyond and above all this the yearly concert of the Children’s Choir of Hamazkayin is one of the best events that fill the souls of its audience with hope and joy and a perfect example of Armenian national education.
It is June 26, 2011. The place is the Hamazkayin Theater of the Toronto Armenian Youth Center. The stage is in a music school: glittering notes, colorful flowers and a violin sit amid school objects.
The host of the event is Arsho Arabatian, the vice-chairperson of the current committee of the Klatsor Chapter of Hamazkayin. On behalf of the committee, she thanks the parents for their sacrifice and their belief in the choir, as well as the committee members for their devoted work. She also thanked Hripsimeh Demirjian, the professional choir conductor for her careful and tireless work.
Afterwards, the hostess invited the audience to enjoy a bouquet of songs from the rich treasury of the Armenian songs.
The program was rich and varied. The choir conductor entered the stage followed by 15 children aged 4-11 wearing purple costumes and who sweetly smiled at the audience. The program commenced with the “Children’s prayer,” which was excellently performed. It was followed by “Let’s sing in Armenian,” with its daring and convincing performance.
Melania Shamahian, Garen Demirjian, and Elizabeth Kandaharian performed the song “There is a sun and a moon,” and together with the choir they do their part with no mistakes. And then it was time for the mothers’ song. The choir performed “Mairig jan” (“Dear Mairig.”) Anoush Haroutunian performed “Mairign aisor oushatsel e” (“Mom is late today”) and enchants the audience with her sweet voice. The songs “Yegek yerkenk” (“Let’s sing,”) “Yerk Massisi” (“Song of Massis,”) “Giligia,” “Mshetsi mor yerke” (“The song of a Mother from Moush,”) and “Artiok ovker en” (“Who might they be”) were performed one after the other. Violinist Sona Kaltagian read an introduction prior to the performance of each song.
The next song was “Kedashen,” performed by Mineh Dzadourian and Haig Haroutiounian, who sang it with deep emotion. A story that deeply moved the audience was told after the song was performed. Kousan Haikazoun, the author of “Kedashen” and other songs told the audience that back in 1992, during the deportations of Shahoumian, Armenian troop had positioned themselves in the forests of Shahoumian and Mardagerd to secure a safe deportation. The soldiers were informed that children’s voices are heard from the forests, yet no one replied to the calls of the soldiers. Then the commander ordered his troops to sing “Kedashen.” Only then an 80-year-old man with a rifle appeared, followed by 43 orphans. This is a story that gives further meaning to the song “Kedashen.”
Afterwards, Vani Yakoubian performed “Hover, hover” (“Winds, o winds,”) and with her confidence she enchants the audience. The sweet performance of “Aghchga yerke” (“The girl’s song”) by Lissa Sarkissian is followed afterwards. The folk song “Halel em” (“I’ve melted”) was clearly and confidently performed by Erica Koutian. The program was concluded with “Groong” by Kevork Emin, and was remarkably performed by the choir. All the songs were performed superbly both by the choir and the soloists, thus receiving warm applause from the audience.
Toward the end of the project, conductor Hripsimeh Demirjian, who was also accompanying the choir on the piano, thanked Hamazkayin, the parents, and her family for their sacrifice.
This initiative of the Klatsor chapter of Hamazkayin is very much appreciated. The professionalism and the dedication of conductor Hripsimeh Demirjian was obvious.
The children and their parents also deserve appreciation and merits.
Tamar Donabedian
Torontohay Monthly Magazine
July 2011