ALVARD MAYILYAN AND JOEL MARTIN ENLIVEN THE “SIMPLY CHRISTMAS” CONCERT AT ST. SARKIS

On Sunday, December 14, following the Holy Liturgy, the traditional “Simply Christmas” concert took place at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York, featuring the singer Alvard Mayilyan, accompanied by the pianist and composer Joel Martin. The rich program consisted of songs in Armenian, French, English, and Italian. Joel Martin performed three Komitas songs in his own arrangement.

At the conclusion, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor, expressed his gratitude to the artists, as well as to the audience members who—despite inclement weather conditions—had come to enjoy this artistic program. In his concluding remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, highly praised the pastor’s special dedication in creating a beautiful tradition through which, for the past 16 years, this concert dedicated to Holy Nativity has been offered to the faithful. He congratulated Ms. Mayilyan—whose gentle voice enchants any listener—as well as Mr. Joel Martin, who, capturing Komitas’s spirit, has modernized it in the style of jazz music.