Armenian Pops Orchestra to Perform at The Ambassador Auditorium

The Armenian Pops Orchestra, conducted by Greg Hosharian, will present “Sounds of the Diaspora” on Sunday, March 26 at The Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St John Avenue in Pasadena, in a concert for the benefit of the Edward Hosharian Scholarship Fund.

“Sounds of the Diaspora” chronicles the plight of the Armenian people who were forced to flee their homeland during the genocide between 1915 and 1917, when survivors had to scatter to foreign lands with little money or belongings. The music reflects the Armenians’ adopted cultures of Russia, the Middle East, Greece, South America, Georgia, the United States and their beloved Armenia.

“Sounds of the Diaspora is a culmination of genres that I’m passionate about,” Hosharian said. “Chamber music, jazz, Armenian classical – it’s music that I love. What better way to tell the story of the Armenian people than through music, a medium that transcends age, gender and culture.”

The Edward Hosharian Scholarship Fund is named in honor of the conductor’s father, who was also a composer and conductor. He was a devoted and tireless advocate for the Armenian community in Southern California and is still remembered by his friends and colleagues for his musical virtuosity, engaging wit and courageous spirit.

The Fund was established after his untimely death in 1990 to assist Armenian students pursuing their educational goals in music.

Applicants who major in music performance or composition, must be of Armenian descent, be full-time students at an accredited college or university in the United States, sophomore or above, and in need of financial assistance.

“My dad was an educator,” Hosharian said. “After immigrating to the United States at age nine from Kiev, Ukraine, he was able to fulfill his dream by writing a ballet version of the opera Anoush, which premiered in New York in 1975. I know he’d be so proud of the work we are doing on his behalf.”

Edward Hosharian taught music in Los Angeles at Roosevelt High School, and was director of the marching band.

During the concert, Greg Hosharian will premiere his original work, “Castle,” and will also welcome vocalist Ayline Amirayan and pianist Siranush Sandaldjian Modrek to the stage. With guest conductor Tigran Arakelyan, a 2015 Edward Hosharian Scholarship recipient, the artists will perform works by Aram Khachaturian, Edward Hosharian, Ara Gevorgyan, Robert Amirkhanyan, Mikis Theodorakis, Boris Fomin and Amo Babajanyan.

The concert starts at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online through www.itsmyseat.com/hosharian.

For more information on the Armenian Pops Orchestra and the Edward Hosharian Scholarship Fund, please call (323) 722-3965, or visit www.armenianpoporchestra.com.