GLENDALE–The anniversary of the establishment of the first Republic of Armenia was marked Sunday with an impressive performance of patriotic and national songs by the 90-member Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School chorus at the Glendale High School Auditorium where more than 1,200 community members turned out for a concert under the direction of Prof. Ara Manash.
Present at the concert were Western Prelate Right Rev. Moushegh Mardirossian–Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Garo Armenian–ARF Western Region Central Committee members Dr. Viken Hovsepian and Hovig Saliba–as well as representatives of community organizations–religious leaders and cultural enthusiasts.
Following the performance of the Armenian and American national anthems–the Pilibos anthem (by Haigaz Terterian. Music by Ara Manash) was sung by the chorus.
In her welcoming remarks–Nora Balit–thanked the participants and attendees–and especially thanked the students who had devoted time and energy to make the concert a reality.
Alex Pilibos school principal Vicken Yacoubian stressed that the concert was borne from the national spirit which is instilled in the students of the school–and was seen as a new tradition in the Armenian community.
Accompanying the chorus was a chamber orchestra and renowned patriotic singer Karnig Sarkissian.
The two-part concert was devoted to classical Armenian songs as well as contemporary patriotic songs and ballads. From Gomidas–to Hovaness Tomanian to the present-day songs of the self-defense fighters of Karabakh–the concert traced the rich mosaic of Armenian music tradition–exceptionally arranged under Manash’s direction.
Manash–who has superbly conducted the Gousan chorus of the Los Angeles chapter of the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Association–also specializes in training the youth and bringing the tradition of music to generations of Armenia’s.
The young voices of the Pilibos chorus–coupled with the renditions by Sarkissian–provided a musical walk through Armenia’s historical past and present. Chorus member Souren Hazarian also presented a solo performance which dazzled the audience.
This concert proved that the new generation of Armenia’s is not oblivious to its heroic past and honors those who have given their lives for the homeland.