Hrant Ajemian
Dr. Hrant Ajemian WillSpeak Jan. 22 On ArmenianChurch Sacred Music
LA CRESCENTA, CA - Dr. Hrant Ajemian will be the guestspeaker on "Armenian Church Sacred Music' on Jan 22, at the ArmenianApostolic Church of Crescenta Valley, located at Western Prelacy's "Dikran and Zarouhi Der Ghazarian,' Hall,6252 Honolulu Ave., in La Crescenta, Calif., at 1pm, following the churchservice.
The Armenian Apostolic Churchhas a wealth of spiritual chants known as sharakans which have grown in numberover centuries. The first sharakans were written as early as 5th century AD.Some of the most inspired and multiple talented sharakan writers, who wereresponsive for the composition of words and melodies combined, are St. MesropMashtotz, St. Moses Khorenatzi, and Patriarchs Sahak and Partev.
Born and raised in Beirut,Lebanon, Dr. Hrant Ajemianattended Nishan Palanjian Academyand graduated from Antelias Seminary. For four years he was an Armenianlanguage teacher. In 1964, he traveled to Tabriz, Iran and heldteaching positions .He established the Armenian Relief Society's "AraxChoir. He was later invited to Nor Jugha, also in Iran where he served as headsuperintendent and director of all Armenian schools.
Over the years, he He graduated with a B.A. from the ArmenologyInstitute of Isfahan University. Over the years, Dr. Ajemian has also been anactive fellow associate of Tehran's"Alik" daily, Beirut's"Azdak" and "Azg" daily and " Spyurk" weeklynewspapers. He has been a guest lecturer in numerous countries.
In 1972, Dr. Ajemian traveled to Parisand attended Sorbonne University from where hereceived his Master's degree on French modern literature. In 1974, hesuccessfully accomplished his thesis on "Khachatur Abovian and Rebirth of Eastern ArmenianLiterature" and received his Doctorate degree. During his 16 years ofresidency in France,he has been an instructor for 3 years at the Armenian Dbrotsaser Women's School and for 12 years he was afellow associate of "Harach" daily newspaper. In Paris he had establishedthe "Ani" choir and had directed it for 8 years. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1988, Dr. Ajemian has taught at Chamlian ArmenianSchool and has been an Armenianlanguage and literature lecturer at La Verne Armenian-American International College.He is the author of 10 books.
In his lecture, Dr. Ajemian will present audio samplesof 5th to 15th century lively and distinctly peculiar Armenian sharakans. The event is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Hovanes and CarlaBarsemian. This special event is organized by Crescenta Valley Armenian Apostolic Church and CV ChurchEducation Committee.