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Open Music Society Foundation
Media Contact: Alina Koutnouyan
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 818-649-8653
Led by Aram Gharabekian,
exuberant artistic performances
complement shuttle-arrival ceremony in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, September 27, 2012 - On September 21, when the world
watched the dramatic arrival of Space Shuttle Endeavour in Los Angeles,
the welcoming ceremony at LAX was made all the more unforgettable as it
included breathtaking artistic performances led by maestro Aram
Gharabekian. The program, comprising music and dance presentations
throughout the arrival ceremony, featured the Open Music Fest Orchestra,
tenor Steve Amerson, and choreographer Aida Amirkhanian and the Open
Music Fest dancers.
In the months prior to Endeavour's arrival in Los Angeles, the Open
Music Society Foundation (OMSF) worked closely with the City of Los
Angeles and the California Science Center, the spacecraft's new home,
to design an integrated artistic program for the arrival ceremony. The
innovative concept that resulted was developed jointly by Aram
Gharabekian, the OMSF's artistic director and conductor, and a
dedicated artistic and production team. The artistic presentations at
the arrival ceremony would mark the performance debuts of the OMSF.
The arrival ceremony, held at an United Airlines hangar at LAX, was
attended by some 600 guests, among them several elected officials.
Dignitaries who delivered remarks at the event included Los Angeles
mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Inglewood mayor James Butts, and California
Science Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rudolph. The event's mistress
of ceremonies was actress Nichelle Nichols, of Star Trek fame.
Toward noon, the ceremony's artistic program kicked off with a highly
spirited flash-mob dance performance inside the hangar, featuring the
Open Music Fest Dancers led by Aida Amirkhanian. The dancers, dressed as
VIPs, performed to a specially created soundtrack, with works by Richard
Strauss, James Brown, and Aaron Copland, as well as a recording of the
poem `The Early Morning in Space,' recited by its author, Hilaire
Belloc.
During the dance performance, employees and volunteers from the
California Science Center and United Airlines joined the flash mob. As
the shuttle-arrival countdown began and the hangar gate opened,
gradually revealing the ceremony stage outside, the flash mob concluded
its performance with a grand finale. The dancers then ran outside,
inviting the guests to follow to their seats across the bleachers and
the VIP section.
Subsequently the attendees watched Endeavour's majestic aerial spin
over Los Angeles landmarks on a Jumbotron screen, and were awed by the
spectacular sight of the shuttle flying overhead.
NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, carrying Endeavour, touched down to
the glorious strokes of timpani, bass drum, and tam-tam, the opening of
Aaron Copland's `Fanfare for the Common Man.' Offstage, trumpets
and horns played the opening phrase of the fanfare while the Open Music
Fest Orchestra musicians joined the percussion in front of the podium.
It was at this juncture, as Endeavour and its host aircraft taxied
toward the hangar, that Gharabekian approached the orchestra and
conducted the fanfare. With the climax of the fanfare, the shuttle came
to its final halt in front of the guests.
`It was a profoundly humbling experience to conduct Copland's `Fanfare for the Common Man' while Endeavour took its last few steps before
coming to a spectacular stop,' Gharabekian said. `I will never
forget the expression and emotions of the musicians and guests at this
larger-than-life sight of man's scientific triumph. I was deeply moved
by the historic moment, and will always treasure the enthusiasm,
dedication, and commitment which our musicians, dancers, and the entire
OMSF team brought to this unique celebration.'
As VIP passengers deplaned from the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, tenor
Steve Amerson took the stage to deliver an a cappella performance of
`America the Beautiful.' He was soon joined by the brass and
percussion of the Open Music Fest Orchestra. During the third verse of
the song, guests joined in at the encouragement of Amerson and
Gharabekian.
`What a sight: Shuttle Endeavour with all its history and might,
approaching, as the Open Music Fest Orchestra delivered a powerful
fanfare, timed perfectly to climax as the spacecraft came to a halt,'
Koutnouyan continued. `We are proud of the talented artists who
performed at the arrival ceremony: Aida Amirkhanian and her dancers'
celebratory kick-off inside the hangar, Aram Gharabekian's commanding
selection for and conducting of the orchestra, and Steve Amerson's
powerful salute to one of this country's greatest achievements.'
Alina Koutnouyan, executive producer of the ceremony's artistic
program and COO of the OMSF, said, `As commented on by several news
networks, the music and performances created a profound moment of
grandeur for Endeavour's arrival. The historical significance of the
moment will forever be remembered each time we hear Aaron Copland's
`Fanfare for the Common Man.''
`The union of the shuttle's arrival and the OMSF performances was
simply awe-inspiring,' stated OMSF founding Board member and CFO
Varand Gourjian.
On her part, choreographer Aida Amirkhanian said, `Time stood still
and everything became perfect as the shuttle did its last majestic dance
to the dignified music played by the orchestra. It was a magnificent
experience to watch the birth of the OMSF as Endeavour was retiring. The
beginning and the end united to create a rare moment of universal
perfection. It was one of the most beautiful choreographies I have ever
seen: so instinctive, so resplendent, so dignified, so perfect.'About
the OMSF: The Open Music Society Foundation is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to advancing musical education and mentorship for young
talent, and increasing public interest in the arts through Open Music
Fest, an unprecedented and unique series of arts festivals in which
artistic collaboration embraces cultural diversity, fostering mutual
understanding and appreciation. Artistic entities of the OMSF include
the Open Music Fest Orchestra and the Open Music Fest Dancers. For more
information, please visit openmusicsociety.org
Media Contact: Alina Koutnouyan
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 818-649-8653
Led by Aram Gharabekian,
exuberant artistic performances
complement shuttle-arrival ceremony in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, September 27, 2012 - On September 21, when the world
watched the dramatic arrival of Space Shuttle Endeavour in Los Angeles,
the welcoming ceremony at LAX was made all the more unforgettable as it
included breathtaking artistic performances led by maestro Aram
Gharabekian. The program, comprising music and dance presentations
throughout the arrival ceremony, featured the Open Music Fest Orchestra,
tenor Steve Amerson, and choreographer Aida Amirkhanian and the Open
Music Fest dancers.
In the months prior to Endeavour's arrival in Los Angeles, the Open
Music Society Foundation (OMSF) worked closely with the City of Los
Angeles and the California Science Center, the spacecraft's new home,
to design an integrated artistic program for the arrival ceremony. The
innovative concept that resulted was developed jointly by Aram
Gharabekian, the OMSF's artistic director and conductor, and a
dedicated artistic and production team. The artistic presentations at
the arrival ceremony would mark the performance debuts of the OMSF.
The arrival ceremony, held at an United Airlines hangar at LAX, was
attended by some 600 guests, among them several elected officials.
Dignitaries who delivered remarks at the event included Los Angeles
mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Inglewood mayor James Butts, and California
Science Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rudolph. The event's mistress
of ceremonies was actress Nichelle Nichols, of Star Trek fame.
Toward noon, the ceremony's artistic program kicked off with a highly
spirited flash-mob dance performance inside the hangar, featuring the
Open Music Fest Dancers led by Aida Amirkhanian. The dancers, dressed as
VIPs, performed to a specially created soundtrack, with works by Richard
Strauss, James Brown, and Aaron Copland, as well as a recording of the
poem `The Early Morning in Space,' recited by its author, Hilaire
Belloc.
During the dance performance, employees and volunteers from the
California Science Center and United Airlines joined the flash mob. As
the shuttle-arrival countdown began and the hangar gate opened,
gradually revealing the ceremony stage outside, the flash mob concluded
its performance with a grand finale. The dancers then ran outside,
inviting the guests to follow to their seats across the bleachers and
the VIP section.
Subsequently the attendees watched Endeavour's majestic aerial spin
over Los Angeles landmarks on a Jumbotron screen, and were awed by the
spectacular sight of the shuttle flying overhead.
NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, carrying Endeavour, touched down to
the glorious strokes of timpani, bass drum, and tam-tam, the opening of
Aaron Copland's `Fanfare for the Common Man.' Offstage, trumpets
and horns played the opening phrase of the fanfare while the Open Music
Fest Orchestra musicians joined the percussion in front of the podium.
It was at this juncture, as Endeavour and its host aircraft taxied
toward the hangar, that Gharabekian approached the orchestra and
conducted the fanfare. With the climax of the fanfare, the shuttle came
to its final halt in front of the guests.
`It was a profoundly humbling experience to conduct Copland's `Fanfare for the Common Man' while Endeavour took its last few steps before
coming to a spectacular stop,' Gharabekian said. `I will never
forget the expression and emotions of the musicians and guests at this
larger-than-life sight of man's scientific triumph. I was deeply moved
by the historic moment, and will always treasure the enthusiasm,
dedication, and commitment which our musicians, dancers, and the entire
OMSF team brought to this unique celebration.'
As VIP passengers deplaned from the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, tenor
Steve Amerson took the stage to deliver an a cappella performance of
`America the Beautiful.' He was soon joined by the brass and
percussion of the Open Music Fest Orchestra. During the third verse of
the song, guests joined in at the encouragement of Amerson and
Gharabekian.
`What a sight: Shuttle Endeavour with all its history and might,
approaching, as the Open Music Fest Orchestra delivered a powerful
fanfare, timed perfectly to climax as the spacecraft came to a halt,'
Koutnouyan continued. `We are proud of the talented artists who
performed at the arrival ceremony: Aida Amirkhanian and her dancers'
celebratory kick-off inside the hangar, Aram Gharabekian's commanding
selection for and conducting of the orchestra, and Steve Amerson's
powerful salute to one of this country's greatest achievements.'
Alina Koutnouyan, executive producer of the ceremony's artistic
program and COO of the OMSF, said, `As commented on by several news
networks, the music and performances created a profound moment of
grandeur for Endeavour's arrival. The historical significance of the
moment will forever be remembered each time we hear Aaron Copland's
`Fanfare for the Common Man.''
`The union of the shuttle's arrival and the OMSF performances was
simply awe-inspiring,' stated OMSF founding Board member and CFO
Varand Gourjian.
On her part, choreographer Aida Amirkhanian said, `Time stood still
and everything became perfect as the shuttle did its last majestic dance
to the dignified music played by the orchestra. It was a magnificent
experience to watch the birth of the OMSF as Endeavour was retiring. The
beginning and the end united to create a rare moment of universal
perfection. It was one of the most beautiful choreographies I have ever
seen: so instinctive, so resplendent, so dignified, so perfect.'About
the OMSF: The Open Music Society Foundation is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to advancing musical education and mentorship for young
talent, and increasing public interest in the arts through Open Music
Fest, an unprecedented and unique series of arts festivals in which
artistic collaboration embraces cultural diversity, fostering mutual
understanding and appreciation. Artistic entities of the OMSF include
the Open Music Fest Orchestra and the Open Music Fest Dancers. For more
information, please visit openmusicsociety.org