The Boyajian Young Choir Directors Program (BYCDP), organized by the Sacred Music Council of the Eastern Diocese, brought together a group of young Armenian faithful from across the country for three days of focused musical and liturgical training. The program running July 7-9 was held at St. Nersess Seminary in Armonk, NY.
This year’s program was led by Maestro Kris Kalfayan, director of the Gomidas Choir of the Eastern Diocese, and coordinated and directed by Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor of St. James of Nisibis Church in Evanston, IL. The BYCDP offered participants a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Armenian Church’s sacred music, and to develop the practical skills needed to serve as future choir directors.
Maestro Kris provided expert instruction in conducting technique; the interaction between the celebrant, deacon, and choir director during the badarak; and the liturgical foundations outlined in the Manual for the Choir Directors of the Armenian Church. Additional sessions included “Badarak 101″ and introductions to the Sacred Music Council’s website and KIRAKI phone app, which are vital resources for church music leaders.
The eight talented participants ranged in age from 14 to 20, and hailed from Diocesan parishes around the country. They included: Cynthia Ghanoom (of St. Sahag Church, Minneapolis, MN), Celine Shanakian (St. Garabed Church, Baton Rouge, LA), Leland Oxendine (Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT), Arpi Kirakosian (St. James Church, Evanston, IL), Ani Mnatsakanian (Holy Ascension Church, Trumbull, CT), Maria Baloyan (St. Mary Church, Washington, DC), Ara Mnatsakanian (Holy Ascension Church, Trumbull, CT), and Haik Vatinyan (St. Sarkis Church, Dallas, TX).
Several of the young conductors remained at St. Nersess Seminary after the BYCDP to participate in the “Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Youth Choir Workshop,” where they had the opportunity to apply what they had learned. During the Sunday badarak, they conducted hymns alongside Emily Terjimanian—bringing their new skills to life in a real liturgical setting.
The Boyajian Young Choir Directors Program is named in honor of the late Dr. Socrates Boyajian, a greatly beloved figure in the Eastern Diocese during his lifetime, and a pioneer in inspiring young musical talents in the Armenian Church, and educating them in the church’s heritage of sacred music.
With the program returning after more than a decade, the Sacred Music Council looks forward to cultivating future generations of knowledgeable and confident choir directors, who can inspire the faithful to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 98:4) and serve Him in gladness.
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By Dn. Ari Terjanian