Hamazkayin of Rhode Island

03/28/2025

The Hamazkayin USA Eastern Regional Executive Committee announces the inaugural Armenian Music Festival to be held on June 19-21, 2025, in Philadelphia’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Armenian Music Festival promises to offer a musically rich experience for our young musicians, with the participation of Z***r Kechichian, chairman of Hamazkayin Central Executive, conductor, and well-known duduk and shvi player; Sevak Avanesyan, cellist and organizer of the Kapan International Music Festival; Serouj Kradjian, pianist; Hrachya Avanesyan, violinist; and Ara Dinkjian, oudist.

Please encourage youth ages 10-18 to register in this worthy endeavor. see the details below.

Hamazkayin Armenian Music Festival
The Hamazkayin USA Eastern Regional Executive Committee announces the inaugural Armenian Music Festival to be held on June 19-21, 2025, in Philadelphia’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church.

Are you 10-18 years old? Do you play an instrument or like to sing? Register to participate in the festival workshops, led by renowned artists and musicians. The festival is open to the public. Join us for a weekend full of fun including booths, food, tour of Philly, concerts and a dinner/dance.

Tickets for the concerts and dinner/dance will be available in the near future.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION
The Armenian Music Festival promises to offer a musically rich experience for our young musicians, with the participation of Z***r Kechichian, chairman of Hamazkayin Central Executive, conductor, as well as renowned duduk and shvi player; Sevak Avanesyan, cellist and organizer of the Kapan International Music Festival; Serouj Kradjian, pianist; Hrachya Avanesyan, violinist; and Ara Dinkjian, oudist.

Location:
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, 8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128

Dates: June 19-21, 2025

Age requirement: 10-18 years

Festival Check-in for participants (10-18 years old): by 8:45 am, Thursday, June 19, 2025, at St. Gregory’s Church

Fee for participants (10-18 years old): $200, 10% discount for siblings. Fee includes festival t-shirt, lunch and snacks during the festival, participation in the festival workshops, Saturday night concert, admission to Friday concert and Saturday dinner/dance.

THIS REGISTRATION IS ONLY FOR THE PARTICIPATING MUSICIANS, AGES 10-18.
Parents, families, and the public at large is welcome to visit the festival grounds for free! Stay tuned for event ticket information (concerts and dinner/dance).

CANCELLATION REFUND POLICY:
Until April 18th – full refund
April 18th – May 31st – 50% refund
After May 31st – no refund

BLOCK OF ROOMS FOR FESTIVAL REGISTRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS WELL AS OTHER FESTIVAL ATTENDEES :
The festival committee has reserved a block of rooms for the participating musicians and their families, as well as all other festival attendees at Hampton Inn, 2055 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.
You can contact the hotel at 1- 800-HILTONS (ask for Hamazkayin Group Block or code 90O), available until May 19th.

After you have registered your child, we will send the hotel reservation link to the email address you have provided on the registration form. Please remember that the special room rate is valid until May 19, 2025.

NOTE: Although there is no deadline for registering your child, the sooner we receive your registration the sooner we can send the necessary musical materials for your child to be fully prepared to participate in the festival.

Please direct any questions to [email protected] (Subject: Music Festival – registration question). In Rhode Island, contact Raffi Rachdouni (401)226-2305.

03/28/2025

The Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of Providence held its cultural night on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Sts. Vartanantz Church Aramian Auditorium. More than 80 eager attendees filled the hall to hear the talented performers sing, play instruments and dance.

The program began with welcoming remarks from Sarkis Minassian, chairman of the Providence Hamazkayin chapter. Maral Kachadourian served as emcee, introducing the performers, reading the English translations of the songs and describing the musical numbers.

The opening song, "Bingyol," was beautifully sung by Taleen Donoyan and Lorie Simonian, with lovely harmony. Rosdom Mkrtschjan followed with a passionate performance in his wonderful tenor voice with "Lerner Hayreni" and "Hayots Mardigner" with Raffi Rachdouni accompanying on the piano. The next performance featured Raffi Avakyan, a young pianist who wowed the audience with his talent and charm. Taleen Donoyan sang "Makhmour Aghchik" followed by Lorie Simonian singing "Pari Arakil." These two gifted young ladies are sure to have a bright future as soloists. Their lilting voices mesmerized the audience.

The Artsakh Dance Ensemble, instructed by Shushan Avakyan, performed "Hzor Hayastan" and "Ambi Dagits." The younger group, ages five to ten, danced with joy while the older girls, ages 11 to 15, danced with elegance and poise.

Suzie Chakmakian wrote and performed a portion of her skit called "There Was and There Was Not: Telling Armenian Stories." Her humorous stories of how it takes hours for Armenians to say goodbye and how they want their house cleaned before guests arrive left the audience laughing and nodding with understanding.

Raffi and Bethany Rachdouni offered a moving performance of "Groong" on the piano and violin, respectively. Their rendition of this familiar song by Gomidas Vartabed rang with passion and perfection. Soprano Joanne Mouradjian offered a heartfelt performance of "Kisherayin Megheti," featuring lyrics by the late Archpriest Fr. Mesrob Tashjian and music by Maestro Konstantin Petrossian, who was also in attendance. Mouradjian, who has performed as a soloist in recital, oratorio and operetta throughout New England, was accompanied on piano by Raffi Rachdouni, and concluded with "Im Yerke."

The final performer was Gregory Ayriyan, a professional violinist and son of the famous kamancha player David Ayriyan. His stunning performance of two pieces that he wrote as well as "Kani Vor Jan Em" by Sayat Nova and "Men"s Dance" by A. Spendiaryan left the audience breathless.

The evening concluded as Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian led the singing of the "Hayr Mer" with the audience. Refreshments followed.

The Hamazkayin is proud of the impressive performers and thanks them for the success of the cultural night. Hamazkayin also thanks the audience members for supporting and encouraging the sharing of Armenian culture in Providence.

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