The Eastern Diocese’s “Sacred Music Festival”—a gathering of choir singers, directors, instrumentalists, and lovers of Armenian sacred music from throughout the Diocese—will be an online event this year.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel will preside over the “virtual” festival, which will run Friday evening through Saturday, October 23-24, and is open to all who love Armenian liturgical music, and wish to elevate their understanding and improve their performance. Conceived by the Diocese’s Sacred Music Council, the festival will feature instructional workshops, educational seminars, and recitals organized and led by experts.
The Sacred Music Festival will begin on Friday evening with a vespers service, followed by Bishop Daniel’s welcome message. Dn. Rubik Mailian will conclude the evening with Looys Zuvart (“Joyous Light”), a lecture-recital discovering an ancient hymn retained in various liturgical traditions.
Saturday will begin with morning service and Bishop Daniel’s presentation “Praise for the Light: The Armenian Evening Hour Prayer.” Morning breakout sessions will be led by Dn. Varuzhan Margaryan, Louise Yardumian, Solange Merdinian, Sevag Derderian, and Linda Bullock, offering workshops for singers and organists on such topics as vocal and posture maintenance through nutrition and exercise, young adult instruction, and hymns of the Evening Service and badarak, to name a few.
An afternoon practice session will provide an opportunity to work in a small group on skills developed during the morning workshops. A vespers service (Geeragamdeets, or “Entering the Day of the Lord”) will conclude the two-day virtual celebration of the Armenian Church music and musicians.
Click here to view the full schedule.
The Sacred Music Festival is a presentation of the Diocese’s Sacred Music Council. Click on the following link to view a flyer with contact information and details about registration, fees, and workshop choices. For a direct link to the online registration form, click here.