Armenia's Olympic Team heads to Beijing with high hopes

The Armenian Reporter | August 2, 2008 15CommunityHayr Oshagan Minassian built a musical dynastyby Tom VartabedianWATERTOWN, Mass. – FatherOshagan Minassian served as aliving legend in the Armenian musicaland spiritual community.He firmly believed that one facetwas contingent upon the other– that the word of God was best perpetuatedby the lyrics that sprungfrom his heart. Both remained resoluteto the very end, despite beingconfined to a wheelchair.Hayr Oshagan, as he was affectionatelyknown, died July 26, justa week short of his 78th birthday,leaving behind a legacy virtuallyunmatched by others in his hallowedcircle.I also remember him as the manwith a quip, a humorous anecdotethat sent conversations spinningwith levity. He often opened hisdialogue with one of his gems. “DidI even tell you about the one…?”And off he’d go on a tangent thatsent his listener chuckling, eventhough it may have been repeatedtime and again.There was also the serious side.The year was 1955 and a newlyordained Armenian priest decidedto go for a swim at Salisbury Beach.He removed his robe on a brightsummer’s day and dove into thechilly ocean, hitting an obstaclethat left him a quadriplegic.Calendar of EventsThe spinal cord injury may haverobbed the affable cleric of his legsand body, but not his zest for life.Over the past 53 years, he provedthe consummate Armenian musicalimpresario as conductor of thepopular Erevan Choral Society.Similar chorales have come andgone in our midst, but this one remainedsteadfast over the past 44years and never showed any signsof regression. Credit Hayr Oshaganas the guardian and keeper of hishouse.A June concert I had attended atWaltham High School drew a capacitycrowd, despite the torrential rain.The fact it was complimentary admissionmight have been the reason,for Hayr Oshagan seldom charged.He believed good Armenian musiccould never be sold, much lessbought, and didn’t believe in usingfinances as a deterrent to promoteculture.Seated in the audience on thisparticular day, still showing pride,was his 90-year-old mother Sirvart,a Genocide survivor, who nevermissed a single concert.As 55 singers appeared – accompaniedby an orchestra of 20 – oncame Hayr Oshagan, pulling hiswheelchair to the forefront and givingthe crowd a humble wave, typicalof his style.The next two hours featured acentennial tribute to famed composerAram Khachaturian.The maestro was well into his 70sand appeared to have defied the elementsof age and restriction. Hislife had not been an easy one sincethe accident.Hayr Oshagan made it look easy.We chatted on the phone a day orso following the concert. After gettingpast a joke or two, Hayr Oshaganrevealed the secrets to his success.“I made a promise to myself that Iwould pursue three goals,” he said.“I would get help in the religioussector, seek out medical assistance,and further my education.”At the time, Hayr Oshagan wasserving as pastor of Holy CrossChurch in Lawrence, following hiseducation at Antelias and ordinationin Jerusalem. Tragedy struckearly with the loss of his fatherwhen he was 18.Sensing a need to perpetuateArmenian music, he founded hischorale in 1966. They came from allsectors of community and churchlife, young and old. What he hadfor enrollment back then was whatthere was now.Throughout his tenure, Hayr Oshaganalso served as choir director ofHoly Trinity Church in Cambridge,which is associated with the group.“I used to play violin before theaccident and went to the BostonConservatory,” he divulged. “In thebeginning, I regretted the accidentand wondered why I was the chosenone. Then, why not me?”Education had been Hayr Oshagan’spotion, beginning in 1962when he secured a masters degreein religious education from BostonUniversity, followed by a secondmasters in music and doctorate inhistory from the same institution.A second doctorate was cut shortby the need for a dissertation.“My mother had difficulty walkingand couldn’t transport me anylonger,” he told me. “I was forced toterminate my schooling, much tomy regret. My mother has alwaysbeen there for me.”So, too, was his sister, Alice Palanjian,who often acted as his escort.Not to be outdone, that dissertationremained in the works – a historyof the Armenian Church in America.At the time, Hayr Oshagan was alsocompiling a history of Armenian musicstemming from ancient times.A visit to his home in Watertownrevealed a vast library of books andresearch documents, much of itgained over the Internet. His daywasn’t complete without making atleast a dozen phone calls to isolatedelderly throughout the community,offering words of cheer and comfort.“Music is a panacea,” he emphasized.“When I sing, it’s like prayingtwice. It gives my chorus the opportunityto display their emotionsthrough lyrics.”The Khachaturian concert was verymuch a tribute to the late composerthat night. But there was more.Hayr Oshagan turned it into amemorial tribute marking the recentdeaths of pianist David Azarianand Boston University ProfessorJohn Daverio, who served six yearsas concertmaster to the ErevanChoral Society.There was more to a concert thanjust waving your arms. With HayrOshagan, it was the producing,groundwork and formalities likeadvertising and public relations,fundraising and being a “godfather”to each member of his troupe.He made it a point to weave 55 personalitiesinto a unified sound, caterto every whim, and be there regardlessof severe weather or health. Onenight he showed up in a snowstormto perform an Armenian Christmasconcert because he didn’t want tolet his audience down.“Every rehearsal is like a wedding,”he brought out. “Every concert isanother rehearsal for me. I sometimesmelt in my own ecstasy.”The hand that guided the musichas been laid to rest after promotingsome of life’s greatest virtueslike love, tenderness, and a rich Armenianheritage.Hayr Oshagan always had a placeof prominence in our society. Hehad the best seat in the house – andit kept moving all the time. New YorkAUGUST 17 - Sunday —Armenian-AmericanNight 7:00 P.M.Free Concert at Harry ChapinLakeside Theater, EisenhowerPark, East Meadow, L.I. featuringInternational Singer KARNOand Akhtamar Dance Ensemble.SEPTEMBER 13 - ANCA EasternRegion Annual Banquet inNew York. Mark your calendarfor the Second Annual Banquetsponsored by the Armenian NationalCommittee of America,Eastern Region. Cocktails andsilent auction followed by dinnerand special awards program.The Grand Hyatt, 109 East 42ndStreet at Grand Central Terminal,New York. Tickets $250. Mention“ANC Banquet” for special hotelroom rate (limited availability).More details to follow.SEPTEMBER 14 - Annual ArmenianFestival at The ArmenianChurch of the Holy Martyrs,209-15 Horace Harding Expwy,Bayside, NY. Noon until dark,rain or shine. Free admission.Live music by the Artsakh Bandand performances by the HyeBar and Aradzani dance groups.Assorted kebabs and temptingdelicacies. Rides and games forchildren, street vendors andfree blood pressure screening.For more info, call church office(718) 225-0235.SEPTEMBER 27-28 - NY ArmenianStudents’ Associationpresents 59th Annual Artists’Ball. Famed art exhibit. GallerieIcosahedron, TriBeca, Manhattan.More detals to come.SEPTEMBER 28 - 79TH ANNI-VERSARY CELEBRATION AND22ND ANNUAL PILGRIMAGETO THE SHRINE OF CHARKHA-PAN SOORP ASDVADZADZIN.Solemn Divine Liturgy celebratedby His Eminence ArchbishopYeghishe Gizirian, with theparticipation of Zvartnotz andGomidas Choirs, 10:30 a.m. SpecialProgram Honoring Rev. Fr.Arten Ashjian on the 60th Anniversaryof his Ordination. Banquetand special performance bynoted pianist Karine Poghosyanfollowing church services in theKachajian Auditorum. 1:00 P.M.Holy Cross Church of Armenia,580 W. 187th St., NYC. Donation:$35.00.SEPTEMBER 28 - Pianist SA-HAN ARZRUNI and friends willpresent “INS & OUTS: Armeniancomposers of Asia Minor,”on Sunday at 3:00 PM, September28, at Merkin Hall, 129 W.67 St, NYC. The event celebratesthe 175 anniversary of the foundationof Surp Prgich ArmenianNational Hospital in Istanbul.Tickets are available throughMerkin box office (212 501 3330,credit cards are accepted), Arto(718 937 7660) and Araxie (201227 9615).OCTOBER 24 - CHILDREN OFARMENIA FUND’s 5th AnnualSave a Generation Awards Dinnerat Cipriani 42nd St., NYC.www.coafkids.org.Westchester, NYAUGUST 17 - ANNUAL SUM-MER PICNIC AT ST. GREGORYTHE ENLIGHTENER ARME-NIAN CHURCH, 1131 NorthStreet, White Plains, NY. Noonto 6:00 p.m. Rain or shine. Freeadmission. Live music and dancingto the renowned MichaelGostanian Band. Lamb, chicken,and luleh kebob, various pastriesand home-made desserts,50/50 raffle, supervised children’sactivities. Easy travel viaHutchinson River Parkway toExit 25. Church is 1/2 block onNorth Street (opposite MapleMoor Golf Course). For information,call church office, (914)428-2595 - Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.New JerseyAUGUST 17 - STS. VARTAN-ANTZ ANNUAL CHURCHPICNIC & BLESSING OF THEGRAPES CEREMONY — Sunday,1-5pm at DunkerhookPark, off Paramus Road, Paramus,NJ. All are welcome toenjoy delicious Foods and Desserts,music, playground forthe kids!SEPTEMBER 12 - COMEDIANKEV ORKIAN from Londonperforms his raucous one-manpiano comedy show at the 2ndAnnual ANCA ER Pre Banquetfall social. Doors open at 8 p.m.Post-bar party to follow. At theGrand Hyatt in New York City.For tickets and information andto purchase tickets please visitwww.anca.org/erbanquet or call(201) 233-9809.SEPTEMBER 17 - Emerson, NJ- FAH (Friends of the ArmenianHome) Neiman Marcus FashionShow/Luncheon, Garden StatePlaza, Paramus, NJ. Fashionpresentation at 11:00 am followedby a luncheon. For reservations,please contact Mrs.Karen Nargizian at 201/560-9787 or Mrs. MaryAnne Bonjuklianat 201/934-8930. The ticketsare $85. per person. Seating islimited so please reserve early,RSVP by Sept. 3, 2008.SEPTEMBER 25 - River Vale,NJ. Sts. Vartanantz Church 6thAnnual Golf Outing. River ValeCountry Club. Lunch, Dinner,Golf and More. Shotgun startat 12:45pm. For reservationsor more info please call : MarkAlashaian 201-483-3200, RichKrikorian 201-664-6885, SarkisShirinian 201-307-0825 or theChurch Office 201- 943-2950.SEPTEMBER 28 – ST. LEONWOMEN’S GUILD 80TH ANNI-VERSARY BANQUET at St. LeonArmenian Church, 12-61 SaddleRiver Road, Fair Lawn, 07410.Banquet immediately followingchurch services in Abajian Hall,Church Community Center. Allare welcome to honor this greatmilestone. Come enjoy deliciousfood, great entertainment andshare in our special celebration.Contact Grace Pinajian for reservationsfor this historical event at201-891-5420. Reservations willbe taken until September 15th.OCTOBER 3 & 4 - Save the Date!Hamazkayin of New Jersey presents:For the 40th Anniversary ofNJ Chapter and 80th Anniversaryof Hamazkayin - Cultural Seminar- Armenian Movie Screening,Literary Competition, Identityand the Armenian YouthOCTOBER 4 - AGBU ANTRA-NIG DANCE ENSEMBLE presents“Repertoire: 2008.” Hostedby the Columbia University ArmenianClub at Columbia UniversityRoone Arledge Auditorium,2920 Broadway, New York.8pm. Tickets available now. (347)837-5342.OCTOBER 25 - Gala celebrationof the 50th Anniversary of thePrelacy of the Armenian ApostolicChurch of America underthe jurisdiction of the GreatHouse of Cilicia and the 110thanniversary of the establishmentof the Armenian Churchin America. Marriott at Glenpointe,Teaneck, New Jersey.Details to follow.Subscription Couponthe armenianreporterannual ratesU.S.A.: First Class Mail, $125; Periodicals Mail, $75Canada: $125 (u.s.); Overseas: $250 (u.s.)namestreetcity/state/zipMassachusettsSEPTEMBER 21 - Celebrationof New Independent Republic byLowell ARF Committee, 1 p.m., Sts.Vartanantz Church, 180 WestfordRoad, Chelmsford, MA; New Englandpremiere of Apo Torosyan’sdocumentary film “The MorganthauStory.” Dinner and program.Free admission, compliments ofJeknavorian family.Buenos Aires,ArgentinaNOVEMBER 9 - 12 - “ArmenianWomen Interacting in WorldwideArenas,” Armenian InternationalWomen’s Association’s5th International Conference,Sheraton Libertador Hotel. 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