My Step Foundation supports long term development of classical music in Armenia
Today, July 10th, at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, My Step charitable foundation and classic music groups of Armenia signed a Memorandum of cooperation. The event was attended by the Prime Minister’s Spouse, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of My Step Foundation Anna Hakobyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Ara Khzmalyan, Executive Director of My Step Foundation Hovhannes Ghazaryan, and art directors of classical music organizations in Armenia.
The Memorandum was signed within the framework of the “Friends of Classical Armenian Music” program initiated by My Step Foundation in 2018. The goal of the project is to ensure the sustainable development of classical music in Armenia through capacity building and development of the collective, interest in classical music, promotion of music tourism, increased access to information on events, increased financial flows, as well as introduction of innovative solutions.
“In less than a year, My Step Foundation has provided 514 million 866 thousand drams to the classical music bands as salary supplement. It is important for us not only to solve the minimal problems, but to solve them to set greater goals and opportunities so that we can present what we have to the world in a dignified manner, rather than having our groups have to deal with a monthly wage issue. It doesn’t do us any good” said Anna Hakobyan, chairwoman of the My Step Foundation Board of Trustees.
She expressed confidence that within the framework of the memorandum, if everyone fulfills their obligations, classical music in Armenia will rise to a whole new level in a short time.
“The quality we have in Armenia has no right to do as what we have done for many years, because this is one of our riches, what we have to sell to the world. This requires a great deal of effort. Those who have gathered here so far have achieved this through their own work and initiative. In fact, they have worked almost without a salary, by doing as much as possible with little financial means.” said Anna Hakobyan
Executive Director of My Step Foundation, Hovhannes Ghazaryan said that by signing the memorandum they plan to create a unified online platform for classical music collectives, which will first of all make it possible to make information about classical music accessible not only to local but also foreign audiences.
“We want to help everyone develop their marketing and branding skills. Now a days it is very important to properly package and present the work of this or that group,” Ghazaryan said, noting that the development of classical music can also contribute to the development and enrichment of the country.
Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Ara Khzmalyan expressed gratitude for the initiative and noted that if successful, the program could be a model for other areas. He expressed the full support of the Ministry in the implementation of the program.
Within the framework of the Friends of Classical Music Program, My Step Foundation supports the Komitas National Quartet, the National Academic Choir of Armenia, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia, the State Chamber Choir of Armenia, the State Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia, Hover State Chamber Choir, Yerevan Perspectives International Festival of Classical Music. Besides those mentioned, the memorandum also joined Al. Spendiaryan National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
The memorandum was signed by Hovhannes Ghazaryan, Executive Director of My Step Foundation. Artistic Director of the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre after Spendiaryan Konstantin Orbelyan, Artistic Director of the Komitas National Quartet Eduard Tadevosyan, Artistic Director of the National Academic Choir of Armenia Hovhannes Chekijyan, Artistic Director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia Eduard Topchyan, Artistic Director of the State Chamber Choir of Armenia Robert Mlkeyan, Artistic Director of the State Chamber Orchestra of Armenia Vahan Martirosyan, Artistic Director of the State Chamber Orchestra of Armenia Vahan Martirosyan, Artistic Director of State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia Sergey Smbatyan, Artistic Director of Hover State Chamber Choir Sona Hovhannisyan, and President of Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival NGO Stepan Rostomyan.
More about the "Friends of Classical Armenian Music" initiative here.

