House of Hope-Mer Hooys Benefit Concert Draws Large Audience on February 22 at Fresno State

Christine Pambukyan
Staff Writer

House of Hope – Mer Hooys, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed in December 2008 with the purpose of aiding young, disadvantaged girls in Armenia by providing housing, a family environment, education, life and job skills training, family rehabilitation, and other forms of aid. Since it opened its doors to fifteen teenaged girls in October 2012, House of Hope has helped many girls graduate from public school; marry into loving, healthy families and start their own families; and attend university in the medical, graphic arts, computer, business, and STEM fields; instead of falling victim to a dangerous life on the streets, vulnerable to human trafficking and abuse. Today, the House of Hope is home to eighteen girls, ages nine to fifteen. 

On Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 7:00PM, pianists Dr. Michael Krikorian; violinist, Armen Derkevorkian; cellist, Garik Terzian; and vocalists, Lauren Movsesian, Colette Compton, and Clarise Compton, with accompanist Derrick Lowe, performed at a Benefit Concert for the House of Hope – Mer Hooys Program of Yerevan, Armenia in the Concert Hall of Fresno State. The concert, co-sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program of Fresno State, began with a short and humorous masterclass by Los Angeles-based pianist, composer, and music teacher, Dr. Michael Krikorian.

Dr. Krikorian described the cultural significance, meanings, themes, and similarities of Arno Babajanian’s “Elegy in G Minor” and “Exprompt in B Minor,” as well as Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in B Minor, Opus 32 Number 10” and “Etude in C-Sharp Minor, Opus 33 Number 8,” aiding the audience in truly understanding and feeling the message of each piece. As in his previous concerts at Fresno State, the Fresno native mesmerized the audience with each keystroke as he moved with each note and played with his eyes closed. Dr. Krikorian’s performance was followed by vocalists Clarise and Colette Compton, accompanied by Derrick Lowe on the piano. 

Clarise Compton brought the spirit of a lonely Christmas to the Concert Hall with her solo performance of Joni Mitchell’s “River.” Her sister, Colette Compton then took the audience back to a 1940’s blues club with her rendition of Harry Warren and Mack Gordon’s “At Last.” The talented sisters then traveled to the land of OZ with their touching duet performance of Stephen Schwartz’s “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway production of Wicked. Their smiles, acting, and positive energy brought smiles to the faces of many audience members.

Lauren Movsesian, accom-panied by Derrick Lowe on the piano, took the audience back in time to the French Revolution with her beautiful rendition of “Bring Him Home” from the French musical, Les Misérables. Although the song is written for a male vocalist, Movsesian was able to give the audience goosebumps with her vocal range and skill. She then brightened the mood with Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner’s “I Could Have Danced All Night” from the Broadway musical My Fair Lady. Her dancing and smiling throughout her performance were contagious, leaving the audience energized and happily waiting for her next song. For her last song, Movsesian traveled to Armenia with Komitas and Al Dolukhanian’s “Dzidzernag.” The Armenian folksong, about a swallow, brought many audience members to tears. 

After Movsesian’s refreshing and emotional performance, Derkevorkian, Terzian, and Krikorian concluded the benefit concert. The violin, cello, and piano trio performed Arno Babajanian’s “Piano Trio in F-Sharp Minor” with equal passion and intensity, occasionally nodding to ensure that they stay together. By the end of the third movement of the piece, they had the audience standing and asking for more. They agreed to perform one more song, and ended the night with a soothing, yet passionate, performance of Babajanian’s “Aria,” bringing the audience to their feet once again. 

After the concert, audience members were able to meet the performers and to learn about how to donate to the House of Hope-Mer Hooys Program, while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and mineral water. 

Overall the concert was nostalgic, touching, adventurous, and a great way to end a Saturday night. 

For more information about the House of Hope, visit their website, www.merhooys.org or their Facebook page @MerHooys.