Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble

[MosJan]

Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble

http://www.csufresno.edu/USU/Chookasian.jpg

 

Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble

 

"We do not often hear the time-honored Armenian music played anymore. The music is seldom presented on the original instruments, which we (Armenians) have played over the ages. My wife and I are greatly concerned about where traditional Armenian music is headed…our place in Armenian music is to preserve the old songs, and to present them in the traditional way. It is our vision that in the future, our children's grandchildren will also know this beautiful music."

 

John Chookasian

 

 

 

The Fresno-based Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble is in a rather enviable position; it is the only performing ensemble of Armenian music in the United States. It is also the only group of its kind to present concerts specifically designed to included both Eastern and Western Armenian musical selections in the same performance. The main aspiration of the Ensemble is to preserve, promote and perpetuate the music of the Armenian people, as well as to promote intra-Armenian culture understanding.

 

Under the direction of John Chookasian, this noteworthy ensemble performs the classical folkloric and troubadour musical works of the 16th to 19th centuries. Their interpretation of Armenian melodies are performed on a variety of traditional instruments. In 1999, the Chookasian Armenian Ensemble received an invitation from Robert Kocharianthe, Armenian President, inviting them to present a series of concerts in Armenia. Received with great enthusiasm, the Ensemble was awarded an Armenian Gold Medal Music Award, thereby making them the only musical group in the United States to receive such an honor from the Armenian government.

 

The ensemble features John Chookasian on clarinet and percussion, Barabara Chookasian as principal vocalist and on percussion, Vergine Alimian on kanun, Henrick Avoyan on dohol, Suren Mekhrabian on tar and oud, Sarkis Petrosyan on santur, and Albert Vardanyan on duduk, shivee and zurna. If you have not had the opportunity to hear the music of the Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble, now is the time to experience the beauty of this unique musical group.