New Album ‘We Sing Armenian Church Songs’ Reaches Younger Generations

“I firmly believe that developing one’s Christian faith is a process and there are steps,” said Carden. “This may help people to start the process.”

“We want to provide children and their families with tools to empower krapar [classical Armenian] to support and maintain our centuries-old Divine Liturgy. After experimenting with different methods, we found that through sharing translations, the younger generation found a relevant and contemporary connection to the Badarak. It has led them to embrace and own the krapar as their gift from the generations before them,” said Beylerian. “When they attend Badarak we find they not only sing along with the choir in krapar, but understand what they are singing.”

“From an educational perspective Nvair and Andrea have taken the right step in making an impact in an environment of Diasporan panic where there is much talk and little knowledgeable action about our concern for losing our identity and spirituality,” said Artoun Hamalian, the AGBU director of education, who noted the importance of the educational booklet that accompanies the CD. “Parents who will take the time to read and understand what it takes to cultivate children’s spirits may have a revelation and will appreciate how precious two products of the mutation of the right circumstances Nvair and Andrea are.”

Seven energetic youngsters who have a close connection to their faith and culture are featured on the album as members of the HYEfamily’s Children’s Chorus. The album, consisting of the hymns Hayr Mer/Our Father, Hamenaynee/In All Things, Soorp, Soorp/Holy, Holy, Marmeen Deroonagan/The Body Of The Lord, Kreesdos Ee Mech/Christ In Our Midst, Amen Yegheetsee/Blessed Be and Ohrnetseets Uz Der/I Will Praise The Lord, are sung in both English and Armenian and liner notes included in the album explain when and why each of the hymns are sung during the Divine Liturgy. The vibrant singers, most of whom are students of the St. Leon Armenian Sunday School, and whose ages range from four to ten years old, include Sophia Ashbahian, Victoria Ashbahian, Alexa Siran Farah, Liana Sarine Farah, Arpineh Halajian, Devan Vartan Regas, and Nickolas Ara Regas.

“The songs are beautifully sung and professionally accompanied and the translated versions are stupendous,” said Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian Education at the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). “Every Armenian who loves God and loves the church and loves the younger generation, should own a copy and give a few as gifts.”

Beylerian, who has recorded albums for Armenian children through her HYEfamily song series, which includes the award-winning CDs “2Mayrer,” “Donadzar” and “Ari Mer Doon,” understood the significance of the children to partake in the recordings and to give them the chance to showcase what they learn in Sunday School on a weekly basis.

“What better way to convey the message than having kids teach kids,” said Beylerian, who is the lead vocalist on the CD. “These children have found such joy and there is no way I myself can recreate that.”

The parents of the children involved in the album, are equally delighted at their children’s participation in such a meaningful project.

“My daughters wanted to be involved because they love music and singing and enjoyed being able to tie that in with their heritage,” said Toleen Farah, mother of Alexa and Liana. “This will be the best gift for their grandparents.”

“It’s a great learning tool for the children,” said Daniella Ashbahian, whose daughters Sophia and Victoria participated in the recordings. “Especially to have the opportunity to learn from other children.”

“We Sing Armenian Church Songs” is an educational resource for families and teachers who can teach the Divine Liturgy to children seven days of the week. In particular, it serves those who live far away from an Armenian Church and are only able to attend a handful of times a year.

“Serving a parish which just celebrated its 100th anniversary with members into the fifth generation and faces the challenges of assimilation, I was overjoyed to see the release of We Sing Armenian Church Songs,” said Father Shnork Souin, pastor of the Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church in Providence, Rhode Island. “The simple, clear and catchy music will be guaranteed to help Armenian churches throughout North America excite the children and help teach them the profound meaning of the Holy Badarak.”

The album has already been met with great fanfare and praise.

“Once again Nvair has understood that the continuation of our culture and faith depends upon our youth’s involvement,” said Dinkjian, a renowned musician who arranged Kreesdos Ee Mech/Christ In Our Midst and played the guitar, lafta and oud on the track with a solo accompaniment from Nvair. “We Sing Armenian Church Songs presents our Armenian youth singing Armenian sacred music, for the first time in Armenian and English. For my ears, there is very little which is more pure, innocent and sincere as a child’s voice.”

In addition to the album, the two women are scheduled to make interactive educational presentations to Sunday Schools across the Eastern Diocese as well as to Armenian communities throughout the country. For upcoming appearances and to purchase a CD, check the HYEfamily website www.hyefamily.com. The album can also be purchased through www.amazon.com, www.cdbaby.com, www.ArmenianVendor.com and can be downloaded on iTunes.

“The church hymns sound so much more beautiful with the angelic children’s voices,” said Dr. Vartan Abdo, Director of the Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey.