The Gandzer Choir of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese is rehearsing for a grand solo concert dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Komitas, as reported the choir’s founder, Deacon Volodya Najaryan to NEWS.am.

Gandzer Choir was established in 2015 with the purpose of organizing recreational spiritual song lessons. According to Deacon Volodya Najaryan, the choir began with 20-30 students, but later, the number reached 100.

“We started learning the easiest songs and the most available psalms. Later, we came up with the idea of establishing a professional choir,” Deacon Volodya Najaryan said, adding that the choir has given concerts on different stages. “Last year, our choir performed in Western Armenia, singing a homily along with the choir of the Armenian church of Istanbul at the Holy Cross Church of Akhtamar,” Deacon Najaryan said.

Najaryan says the choir also teaches, propagandizes and disseminates Armenian spiritual songs in Armenia’s provinces.

The concert will take place on 5 April at 17:00 at Komitas Chamber Music Hall in Yerevan and will feature performances of Armenian spiritual, classical and national songs, as well as psalms of the Orthodox Catholic Church. Entrance is free.