FORUM SYNOPSIS:
LITTLE SINGERS OF ARMENIA

On Wednesday, October 10, 2007, Birthright Armenia participants had an opportunity to be present at the rehearsal of the famous “Little Singers of Armenia” children’s choir for the forum lecture. The rehearsal took place at the Sayat Nova musical school.

Artistic director and conductor Mr. Tigran Hekekyan briefly introduced the history of the choir and talked about the large wealth in the different genres of Armenian choral music tradition. Afterwards the choir happily sang from its extensive repertoire of sacred, classical, contemporary and jazz songs. “Little Singers of Armenia” is comprised of 40 singers between ages seven and 18.

“Little Singer of Armenia” was founded in 1992 on the personal initiative of Mr.Hekekyan. “During the dark and cold years of the early 90s, I thought that it was important to establish a children’s choir which could be a light in the dark and help the kids to overcome the hardships of that period. When the group practiced while warming their hands over the burning wood and singing with candlelight, the achieved results amazed worldwide audiences and critics. We truly became ambassadors of what’s best about Armenia” said Mr. Hekekyan.

Overcoming all challenges, the choir made great strides and soon embarked on international tours. The choir presented many charity concerts in Armenia and abroad, and has toured Europe, the U.S.A. and Egypt. The “Little Singers” was invited to participate in the “Golden Gate” international festival in San Francisco, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UN and UNESCO. Competing with 120 choirs from 62 countries, the choir earned two gold medals, one silver, and one Grand Prix. That first victory was followed by many others and culminated when the Council of Europe declared the “Little Singers of Armenia” Ambassadors of Art, a designation given to only three children’s choral group around the world. In the “Golden Gate” international festival in San Francisco, one critic commented about the choir: "They are angels who came down from heaven and their song is divine melody.”

Mr. Hekekyan also presented the challenges facing the choir, with sustained fundraising the largest need required for longevity and growth. The conductor lamented the fact that most of what is broadcast for viewing audiences and supported by businesses and donors is pop music that has little artistic value.

To listen to a concert recording of the “Little Singers”, you may visit the following site: http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/programs/world_choral/020804am.shtml