AGBU MARKS THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL LA CHOIR

· November 18, 2024

Five years ago, the debut performance of the AGBU LA Choir at the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center of Pasadena, CA began with 18 members. Their mission was to inspire the community through Armenian music and artistic excellence.

Today, the Choir is 42 singers strong. Some of the audience favorites include Garun Yerevan and “Kenats Yerk” by A. Khachatouryan, “Hayastan” by K. Petrossian, and the folk song “Nazan Im Yare”, among others.

Under the leadership of Choir Master Nektar Mirakyan, a well-known conductor with a deep background in classical music, the Choir members have also visited the AGBU Scouts to teach the younger generation new songs and sing together.

During the Covid 19 pandemic, choir members rehearsed and created four virtual performances on Zoom in 2020 and 2021. As restrictions eased, the Choir began performing in person, and, in 2022, 2023, and 2024, it was a featured performer in support of the state of California’s Armenian Heritage and History Month. In addition, for the past four years, the Choir appeared at the Glendale Community College for Armenian Heritage Month.

Members have also shared the stage with Artsakh War Veteran artist and singer Arthur Khachents and performed at the AGBU Founders’ Day Celebration at AGBU PAC. At Christmas 2022, Choir members participated in a musical variety show with solo musical interludes. In addition, LA Choir chairperson Garine Seuylemezian was invited for an interview with Horizon Armenian TV.

In November 2023, audiences were taken on a journey across the Armenian musical landscape with the LA Choir performing alongside professional composer Greg Hosharian and his Armenian Pops Ensemble in an AGBU benefit concert called “Postcards from Armenia.” Soloists Natalie Buickians and Razmik Baghdasaryan performed, as well as the AGBU LA Dance School. Proceeds went toward the AGBU Global Relief Fund in support of the forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians.

The Choir was also invited to perform the Armenian and American national anthems, first in 2019 for the Armenian-American Museum Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and, in 2023, at the AGBU Gala for Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Ardem Patapoutian at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. This November, it will participate in the LA-SINGS “All You Need is Love” program at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, at the invitation of LA Master Chorale.