WATERVLIET, NY - "I feel like I have been reborn experiencing Divine Liturgy this morning," stated a parishioner of St. Peter Armenian Church following services on Sunday, September 24.

Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, Coordinator of Music Ministry at the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, implemented a weekend workshop for choir members and deacons of St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, New York, September 22-24, 2000.

Maestro Khoren, a specialist in Armenian Church music and former Director of the Etchmiadzin Choir, led an informative and inspiring workshop which helped strengthen the St. Peter Armenian Church Choir and Deacons. The weekend began with a delicious dinner prepared by the St. Peter Church ACYOA Jrs. Following the meal, Maestro Khoren shared his reflections on Armenian Church music, its meaning, and how he began his music ministry years earlier in Armenia under the tutelage of His Holiness Catholicos I Vazken I of blessed memory. He also shared his experiences within our diocese as leader of many junior choirs and how the youth respond favorably to the music of the Armenian Church. The rest of Friday evening was dedicated to the deacons as he taught them how to sing and serve at the altar with a united voice. Saturday morning began with a continental breakfast, which was followed by the Choir Workshop. Choir members learned new hymns, especially the Joshou hymns sung on Sundays, as well as learning special intonations of the Badarak hymns, which helped choir members gain a new perspective on the Badarak.

Following a traditional lahmejune lunch, once again prepared by the ACYOA Jrs., the choir and deacons were brought together in the church sanctuary to practice the Badarak in preparation for Sunday morning. During Sunday Badarak, Maestro, on many occasions, directed the entire congregation and, following the sermon following the sermon, he taught the congregation the words and music to three hymns - Soorp Asdvadz, Krisdos ee mech, and the Hayr Mer.

At the conclusion of the Badarak, many parishioners commented on how beautiful the liturgy sounded and said that they had never heard it like that before. This was a compliment to the Maestro, the church choir and the deacons. St. Peter Armenian Church anxiously awaits another visit by Maestro Khoren Mekanejian so that more can be learned about our church music.