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The Armenian government approved renaming the Armenian National Academic Choir after its artistic director and principal conductor, renowned composer Hovhannes Tchekidjian.
It will henceforth be known as the Hovhannes Tchekidjian Armenian National Academic Choir.
The bill, authored by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, was approved at the Cabinet meeting to honor the celebrated career of Tchekidjian.
The Armenian National Academic Choir was founded in 1937. Since 1961, Maestro Hovhannes Tchekidjian has served as the artistic director and principal conductor of the choir. The group has represented Armenian musical culture to the highest critical acclaim around the world. During Tchekidjian’s tenure, the choir was awarded the titles of “Academic” (1969) and “Honored Performers” (1975). In 2012, the Armenian government bestowed the status of “National” on the choir.
Under Tchekidjian’s leadership, the choir has performed on 184 of the world’s top concert stages, including in Paris, London, New York, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and others. Over the years, the choir has held 866 concerts outside of Armenia.