KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and Choir

The KOHAR Symphony Orchestra & Choir (frequently named and known as "KOHAR") of Gyumri, Armenia.

History

KOHAR was founded in 1997 as an independent musical and cultural institution by the Armenian culture patron Harout Khatchadourian of Lebanon, who along with his brothers, Shahe and Nar Khatchadourian, entirely sustained the activities of KOHAR and all its concerts, in tribute to, and in memory of, their late father Aram, and named the orchestra to honor their mother 'Kohar'.

KOHAR initially started as a symphony orchestra in the year 2000, playing the music of Armenia, and other popular songs and well-known symphonies, under the helm of Creative Director and Conductor Sebouh Abcarian of Cyprus. Later the KOHAR Choir was formed to complement the work of the KOHAR Symphony Orchestra.

Consisting of over 140 musicians and 12 solo singers, along with a 11 dance-member ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra & Choir quickly grew in popularity with its initial outdoor concerts on the premises of KOHAR in Lebanon, which attracted interest and admiration from locals and overseas visitors.

Break Out Tours

KOHAR’s first major concert tour 'All Time Armenian Favourites', took place in the summer of 2002, in Cyprus and Lebanon, spread over four days. The well devised repertoire served as a distinctive cultural experience, drawing more than 4000 people to BIEL, downtown Beirut, which transformed the hall into a scenic, memorable and glorifying moment for Armenian musical history. According to media, the collection of traditional & popular songs "drew many into tears of nostalgia, reminiscence and pride".

International Success

In October 2005, it was the turn for Istanbul, Turkey, to enjoy KOHAR’s “ [http://www.koharconcert.com] All Time Armenian Favorites” Tour. On October 9, 10, 11, and 12, the concert was held at Lutfi Kirdar Concert Hall, with more than 7000 Armenians, and visiting audiences from Istanbul and the suburbs, and from as far away as Adana province attending.

KOHAR’s triumphs continued from one capital to another, and on 28 & 29 April 2006, the Grand Hall of the Kremlin, Moscow, witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm, when almost 12000 Armenian, Russian and foreign audiences, relished KOHAR’s unique performance for the first time. It was a widely publicized rare appearance by an Armenian Orchestra in Russia, which was highly successful with the Russian audience.

KOHAR made its North American debut at the end of 2007, and conquered the major cities of the USA and Canada. The North American Tour of KOHAR began on October 18, 2007 in Los Angeles, and moved to San Francisco, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Toronto and Montreal, before ending with the conquering of New York’s Carnegie Hall on November 20, 2007.

Awards

Intermedia Award - [http://www.worldmediafestival.com] World Media Festival in Hamburg,Germany "(2004)"

The Anoush Achievement Award - The Seventh Annual Armenian Music Awards, held at the Hollywood Palladium, California "(2005)"

The Future

During the course of its existence, KOHAR has become an important cornerstone in the unique musical rendition of Armenian musical favorites for the Armenian Diaspora, with the aim of reviving and promulgating the Armenian alphabet and culture, and bringing its share to preserving Armenian heritage for future generations at home and abroad.

Links

[http://www.koharconcert.com KOHAR Symphony Orchestra & Choir]

[http://www.prweb.com/releases/kohar_symphony/symphony_orchestra/prweb562011.htm Newswire]

[http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/22/entertainment/et-kohar22 LA Times Article by Don Heckman]