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MELODY MESSENGERS: BELL CHOIR SERVES AS AMBASSADORS OF ARMENIAN MUSICwww.ArmeniaNow.com
With the flick of wrists, the air is filled with familiar Armenian melodies, carried from the metallic ring of 37 different notes and three octaves by the movements of the Narek Ensemble Bell Choir.
The group arrived in Armenia on July 22 at the invitation of the Ararat Diocese, where they gave their first performance the next day. The choir had further church performances scheduled and played a concert in Yerevan’s Chamber House on August 5.
The 28 hands of 14 young people ring out Holy Mass, Armenian sharakans (hymns), and even jazz melodies for audiences abroad and in Armenia.
“In Washington, where our group was formed, there are nearly 50 bell choirs,� says the founder of the ensemble Leon Khoja-Eynatyan. “These groups play sacred music in churches, it’s very popular. In Armenian churches bells are used too, however, not to play melodies. So we thought – why not?�
The ensemble, created five years ago, has already won two honorable “Komitas� and Armenian Music awards since the day of its creation for originality and performance. The “Komitas� award came from the Church Choir Association of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, USA, and the Armenian Music award was for “Best Spiritual Music Album 2005� at the annual competition in Los-Angeles.
“Despite the variety of bell choirs, the originality of Narek is that it is unique in the Armenian reality, and is noticed in the American environment for its young performers and repertoire,� says Khoja-Eynatyan. “The repertoire includes sacred and holy Armenian music, samples of folk treasury and world compositions.�
The age of the bell musicians ranges from 15 to 20 years, making it a younger group than other choirs. The choir has also become a type of “home� for the youth.
“Unlike for instance Los Angeles, the Armenian Diaspora in Washington is not that large and having such an ensemble has a big unifying force,� says Tatevik Khoja-Eynatyan, 16, Leon’s daughter, who has been one of the bell-ringers since the day of the creation of the ensemble. “Sacred music alleviates, but besides music we have also communication to each other which is also a big advantage to us.�
Bell-ringer Armine Sanamyan, 18, says she also highly appreciates the friendship of the young Armenians and the unity inside the ensemble.
“Young people are interested in music but being together in the Diaspora is also among the most important components,� she says. “Besides, we stay Armenian.�
“Many people coming across our group wonder, seeing that Armenians also have such a group and when they hear our Armenian melodies performed by bells their amazement doubles,� says Tatevik Khoja-Eynatyan. “Armenian music is unique and differs with its rhythms and melodies.�
The young people say their participation among other choirs offer a chance for non-Armenian audiences to become acquainted with Armenian music.
“There are many cases when after a joint concert American bell choirs ask the notes from us and perform Armenian sharakans in their churches, so big is the interest towards the Armenian music,� tells Tatevik Khoja-Eynatyan.
Vahan Christos-Duryan, 17, says everybody – foreigners and Armenians – are admiring them.
“Each time during a concert I see admiration and amazement on people’s faces. Foreigners are interested in Armenian music, and Armenians are amazed at how it is possible to play Erebuni-Yerevan, Vaspurakan and other things with bells. Hearing familiar melodies, they unintentionally begin singing those songs.�
The Narek Ensemble Bell Choir plans to establish a similar group in Armenia to support efforts to retain the best traditions of Armenian music, both in the republic and beyond.
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