At its December 25 session, the government approved a decision to rename the “State National Academic Choir of Armenia” state non-commercial organization as the “H. Chekijian National Academic Choir of Armenia.”

The purpose of the change is to honor the long-standing creative legacy of maestro Hovhannes Chekijian, a People’s Artist of the USSR, laureate of USSR and Armenian SSR state prizes, professor, and renowned conductor, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports reports.

The National Academic Choir of Armenia was founded in 1937 as a 25–30-member ensemble within the Armenian Philharmonic. Since 1961, the choir’s artistic director and principal conductor has been maestro Hovhannes Chekijian. In 1969, the choir was granted Academic status, and in 1975, it was recognized as an Honored Collective of the republic. On November 15, 2012, by government decision, the choir was awarded National status.

Under the leadership of Hovhannes Chekijian, the choir has performed on 184 leading concert stages worldwide, including in Paris, London, New York, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other cities. During this period, the choir gave 866 concerts outside Armenia.

The ensemble under the maestro’s direction also collaborated with 69 renowned symphony orchestras, including the USSR State Academic Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra, and the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra.

Continuing the finest traditions of Armenian classical choral music, during Chekijian’s leadership the choir reached an unparalleled level of Armenian choral art and established itself as one of the finest interpreters of Armenian and world classical choral music.