Many months ago, Dr. Michael Moore, Head of Department of Music Education at BJU and Dr. Paul Radford, Head of Department of Communication Studies at BJU, shared a vision with Haro and me.  

As these two men were talking, I grew very quiet. I listened intently. My heart and mind trying to process the words they were sharing. Are they really saying what I think they are saying? 

Indeed they were.

They shared with us a huge vision for a concert. An event to honor Dr. Panosian, a most worthy, gifted man, a Professor of History, and to use his life story as a way to introduce the history of the Armenian Genocide with a whole new audience. 

My heart skipped a beat. 

I am so very passionate about sharing the story of my people with new audiences. And this is something I have been doing since I was a little girl, through school projects for my classmates, through singing Armenian folk songs at community events, at church, at recitals and then in my professional career, through weaving story and song at concerts and festivals. 

So when this vision was expressed to us, you can imagine my deep, deep joy and awe.

For days now, I have been reflecting on the journey that brought this vision to life.

Last Thursday, that beautiful evening when I had the fabulous honour to be on stage with numerous amazingly talented musicians all under the watchful eye of our fantastic director. And then to work with so many talented behind the scenes men and women: audio and video technicians, graphic artists, camera people, assistants, ushers, and whatever you need we will help you and/or find it for you people. And the audience, what an audience! And then, my family. My best friend and beloved husband and my children, Team Setian. There are not enough words. I mean, what a night! 

Michael Moore, thank you for your passion for this story. Thank you for your artistry, your passion for beauty in music, your commitment to excellence. Your stewardship of your students and guiding them, challenging them to take risks with their art. Thank you for your countless hours studying which orchestral piece would work best for this concert. What a privilege to watch you work and create! Thank you for your kindness and encouragement and for supporting me and giving me space to do my art. It has been such a joy to work with you. 

Paul Radford, thank you for your passion for this story. You have had this dream, this vision for so long; thank you for never giving up on that dream. I can’t tell you how much that moves Haro and me. Thank you for your determination to tell this story well, really well. For countless hours editing video, pouring through old photographs and communicating a design vision that would reflect the story beautifully and accurately. Thank you for your commitment to excellence and precision. Thank you for guiding and encouraging me and giving me the space to do my art. It has been such a joy to work with you.

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see two very creative, gifted men work so well together. With humility. With grace. With faith. 

Dr. Panosian, thank you for sharing your story with us all so masterfully. We were all hanging on your every word. You communicate so powerfully, yet so humbly. Such a gift. That you for your commitment to the truth in History. Thank you for your servant heart all these years! What a legacy! What a testimony of grace! 

Chris Rosser, what a privilege to once again share the stage with you. The minute you began to play the oud, my heart just lept! You are one of the most gracious, kind hearted, adaptable musicians I know. And the fact that you are so skilled, so extremely gifted on so many instruments just makes it even more of a delight to work with you! I eagerly look forward to the next show!

Omar Carmenates, what a thrill to share the stage with you for the first time! You are so talented and so easy to work with. You added such rich hypnotic rhythms and flavours to this music that I adore. You channeled my grandpa! Thank you for being willing to take a risk and join me on this project. I eagerly look forward to working together again in the future!

Sarkis Chorbadjian, what can I say? When we first chatted on the phone about this project and you gave me such good wisdom, I thank you. Thank you for contributing your amazing artistry to this project. Your masterful, passionate performance on the duduk captures me every single time. What a gift! Thank you for your support and encouragement all these years. And thank you for being the first Armenian I met here all those years ago….

To the BJU Symphony Orchestra, thank you for taking a risk on this music and mastering the nuances of it so beautifully! You are all so talented and you worked so hard. Keep it up! It was such an honour to work with you and to get to know you – collectively and some of you individually. I loved every minute! 

And to the audience…. I thank you. For being so enthusiastic about this new music and these painful and joy filled stories. For being so engaged and so welcoming until the very last note and word. I thank you with all my heart. For all of you who waited to speak to me and shared your stories with me – I loved meeting every single one of you. The way you connected to my stories and music moved me deeply. It always does. 

And finally, my beloved Haro and my children. You are the best. Just the best. You find joy in seeing me thrive. This is a gift of the Father’s grace to me. 

And my Mama – oh, how I love you! – and my precious Grandma in heaven, one day we will sing these songs together… all of us. 

Tags: Armenia, Armenian folk music, Armenian Genocide, BJU, BJU Fine Arts, BJU Music, Chris Rosser, duduk, folk songs, Mariam Matossian, Omar Carmenatas, Oud, Panosian, Panosian and the Providence of His Story, Sarkis Chorbadjian