The Arm. Evang. Sec. School Choir Tour in Syria: May 21-23, 1999
Every Friday at 3 p.m. the school choir meets for rehearsal. The A.E.S.S. Choir was formed eight
years ago under the direction of Rev. Nercess Balabanian. The group of 30-40 high school
boys and girls changed during the years as the students left or graduated and newcomers joined in.
Choir tours: Early morning on May 21, everyone was ready to start the first choir tour in Syria.
KESSAB: The first station was the beautiful Armenian village Kessab, where a delicious meal,
cooked by the Church Women's Group, was waiting for us. After some training, rest, and
sightseeing, the choir gave the first performance. Among the audience were several A.E.S.S.
graduates and former students who were very excited. One of them, Armen Cherchigian, offered
us ice cream from his shop saying:“" Whatever I do for my school is still nothing."” Grateful? Yes,
he is.
ALEPPO: The next morning the bus headed to Aleppo. As we arrived at the city we
remembered how one of the students had asked if Aleppo was larger than Anjar?!” It is
worthwhile mentioning that many of these students hadn't ever been out of Lebanon. The smell of
delicious “Lahmajeen” had filled the C.E. (Chanits) center. After eating, rehearsing, and sightseeing,
the choir, though exhausted, was ready for the second performance. All went well. The level of
the performance surprised the audience. Some 18 families hosted the students in their houses for
the night.
The program, consisted of two parts: the first part included nine songs by the choir; the second
part was a duo performed by Zakar Keshishian (Shvi) and Sevan Balabanian (piano).
The next morning we visited the three Armenian Evangelical Churches in Aleppo and headed for
home after lunch. Everyone brought wonderful memories and made new friends.
Below are some pictures that we brought with us.