NEWS RELEASE

PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR PERFORMS AT THE VANDAZOR MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Vanadzor, Armenia—On Tuesday, October 16, 2007 the people of Vanadzor were treated to a concert by the Yerevan based Paros Chamber Choir, which performed at the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts. The concert was organized and sponsored by the Paros Foundation.

The concert, entitled “Autum Songs,” attracted more than 250 guests to the second floor exhibition hall of the museum. This location was ideal both esthetically and acoustically. Sitting amidst an impressive sampling of the Museum’s collection of paintings, the audience was treated to musical selections from well known composers including Komitas, T. Altunian, A. Ter-Ghevorkian and C. Kara-Murza.

The Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1974 and is one of the most prominent cultural centers in the Lori Region. The museum houses more than 1,700 works of art including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and decorative arts. The museum is dedicated to excellence in art by increasing the knowledge and appreciation of art through its collection, exhibition and education for diverse audiences.

“It was quite exciting to listen to such beautiful music surrounded by the impressive artwork of the Vandazor Museum of Fine Arts,” said Roger Strauch, Chairman of the Paros Foundation. “I am delighted that we were able to bring these two organizations together to produce the event for Vandazor.”

Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with its repertoire of classical chamber music and ethnic folk music by Armenian, Russian and Western composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of hope for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the Choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries and are wheel chair bound. The mission of the choir is to strive for musical excellence, while at the same time raising awareness of the conditions of the disabled in Armenia and beyond. The Choir entertains worldwide audiences, participates in international competitions, and encourages people with disabilities to live full and active lives
More information about the Paros Chamber Choir and the Paros Foundation can be found at http://www.paros.am.

The Paros Foundation is a Berkeley, California based foundation and was formed in 2006 to support non-governmental organizations in the Republic of Armenia. Since its inception, it has identified and supports several organizations including the Paros Chamber Choir, the UNISON NGO-Supporting People with Special Needs, Manana Youth Center and the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts. The Foundation was founded by the Strauch Kulhanjian family and takes a special interest in organizations that nurture and harness Armenian artistic talent. The Paros Foundation hopes to serve as a beacon for people and institutions who seek guidance towards exemplary innovative NGOs in Armenia. More information about the Paros Foundation can be found at www.paros-foundation.org or by contacting Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 (in the US) or (093) 99-80-99 (in Armenia).

PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR PERFORMS CONCERT REMEMBERS SLAIN JOURNALIST DANIEL PEARL

Yerevan, Armenia—On Tuesday, October 9, 2007 more than 100 people including representatives of Armenia’s media corps joined Ambassador Rudolf Perena, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Armenia and friends of the Paros Foundation at the Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of slain American journalist Daniel Pearl with a concert by the Paros Chamber Choir.

The Harmony for Humanity Concert featured works by such renown composers as Komitas, Altunian, Vivaldi and Harutyunyan, and were well received by the enthusiastic audience.

The Harmony for Humanity Concert was underwritten by a grant from the United States Embassy in Yerevan and the reception was sponsored in part by the Paros Foundation. The concept for the Daniel Pearl Day of Music and the Concert Series was inspired by the life of Daniel Pearl, who was murdered by terrorists in 2002 in Pakistan. Music Days connects thousands of diverse groups, using the universal language of music, to diminish hatred, respect differences and inspire “Harmony for Humanity.”

Ambassador Perina during his opening remarks spoke of how the concept for this series of international concerts began as a result of an Armenian. “It is fitting that this event takes place in Armenia, as it was Daniel Pearl’s Armenian American friend, George Pehlivanian, who, the day after the world learned of Daniel’s death, directed the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 as a tribute to Daniel’s life.” Music becomes the best way to recognize Daniel Pearl. This successful tribute ultimate inspired the Daniel Pearl Foundation to sponsor concerts around the world.

“It was such an honor for the Paros Chamber Choir to be asked by the U.S. Embassy to perform here today to honor Daniel Pearl and perform for Armenia’s media corps.” Said Paros Chamber Choir Musical Director Armen Alaverdyan.

Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with their repertoire of classic chamber music and ethnic folk music by Armenian, Russian and Western composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of hope for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the Choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries.

The Paros Chamber Choir takes its name from the Armenian word for lighthouse. Indeed the choir is seen as a beacon of hope and artistic excellence by fans around the world. The Choir entertains worldwide audiences, participates in international competitions and encourages people with disabilities to live full and active lives. More information about the Paros Chamber Choir and the Paros Foundation can be found at www.paros.am or www.paros-foundation.org.